Cancer Research Training and EducationCoordination

ABSTRACT The Lurie Cancer Center (LCC) provides a comprehensive training environment to enhance the career development of cancer researchers and caregivers at all levels. The Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) core at LCC enables numerous training opportunities for students, research fellows, clinical fellows, oncology nurses, and faculty. These include numerous seminar series, symposia, retreats, intramural grants, and travel awards. LCC investigators are supported by 11 T32 grants (6 NCI T32 grants, and 5 other cancer relevant NIH T32 grants), one T37 focused on health disparities, an NCI-funded R38 grant, 2 D43 global education and training grants, and several K and F fellowships. Close collaboration of CRTEC with the COE office has enabled the expansion of pipeline and mentorship programs for students, graduate and post-graduate trainees, and early career faculty. During the current funding period, centralized tracking mechanisms for longitudinal assessment of trainee career progression and outcomes were established. There are also new formalized training programs in coding and bioinformatics for undergraduate and graduate trainees, new student-led activities, and a formalized mentorship program for early-career faculty members. In addition, there are LCC-sponsored education opportunities for healthcare professionals and oncologists in the Chicago area, nationally, and internationally. Over the next funding period, the LCC will continue to expand its ongoing programs, optimize online education programs, and support the education components of new thematic elements in the strategic plan and new translational initiatives.