Career Enhancement Program

The SPORE in Pancreatic Cancer Career Enhancement Program (CEP) aims to recruit and support new independent investigators in translational pancreatic cancer research. Along with the Developmental Research Program (DRP), the CEP will provide financial support, didactic training, and mentored research opportunities to prepare investigators for independent careers in translational pancreatic cancer research. We propose the following specific aims: Specific Aim 1: Recruit and support new investigators in translational pancreatic cancer research. In addition to the NCI funds, a total of $323,000 in institutional support is committed in support of the CEP program. CEP awards will provide $75K per year for 2 years. Awardees will be junior faculty beginning their research careers or transitioning into translational pancreatic cancer research. Funded initiatives are expected to have a major translational component and focus on pancreatic cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, early detection, treatment, or population science. Specific Aim 2: Train and mentor junior faculty in translational pancreatic cancer research. All CEP awardees will be mentored by both a senior basic science and clinical mentor and will craft an individualized career development plan that includes didactic coursework, patient care, and career skills training. We will leverage institutional educational opportunities to include courses in clinical trial design, biostatistics, and ethics. The SPORE CEP Steering Committee will track and evaluate CEP awardees’ research and career development. Specific Aim 3: Foster inter-SPORE collaborations. An educational exchange with our peer Pancreatic or GI SPORE institutions (University of Nebraska, Mayo Clinic, John Hopkins, University of North Carolina, University of California System) allows CEP awardees to present their research, receive expert feedback, meet peer SPORE leadership, and develop collaborations. Content experts from peer SPORE institutions will perform critical reviews and provide formal feedback for CEP awardees’ extramural grant applications. Relevance: These aims will support research for the next generation of PDAC researchers and projects to improve our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology and develop new therapeutic approaches.