Training Program in Cancer Prevention and Control

This is a competitive renewal of the NCI T32 Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC) Training Program at the Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center (Massey) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU). The training program has been active for three 5-year cycles – first as an R25 and, in 2018, successfully transitioned to a T32. The present training application has a renewed focus on reducing the cancer burden to meet the needs of Massey's catchment area and align with the center-wide theme. Massey's catchment area includes “hot spots” of elevated cancer risk, with several counties having elevated age-adjusted cancer rates. This unique catchment area serves as a backdrop for research and training being conducted within communities and among a wide range of residences in the population. As the longest-standing NCI-funded T32 training program at Massey, the CPC program is highly valued by the institution and supported in matching funds by VCU, Massey and the School of Medicine. The program brings together 25 primary and 6 secondary mentors from 12 departments across three schools/colleges. One hundred percent of the predoctoral trainees secured postdoctoral training positions and four out of five postdoctoral trainees who have completed the program are in academic/research faculty positions and the other is working in a non-profit research-related career. The proposed T32 has four objectives: 1) offer an integrated training program with a broad range of research opportunities in cancer prevention and control, including an option to complete a concentrated Master of Science or public health degree; 2) provide structured didactic training in cutting-edge research methods to support career advancements in cancer prevention and control; 3) cultivate a collaborative community that will form the foundation for effective professional development and career readiness; and 4) provide training to emerging scholars through intensive mentoring. The program requests support for two predoctoral and five postdoctoral trainee slots. The selection of seven scholars will allow for an approximate 4:1 mentor/trainee ratio.