T32 Training Program in the Biology of Cancer

1. T32 Training Program in the Biology of Cancer Larry H. Matherly, Ph.D. Director, Cancer Biology Graduate Program Department of Oncology November 15, 2012

2. Cancer Biology Graduate Program • Provides foundation for T32 CA009531 • Founded in 1987 • Based in the Department of Oncology (2010) at WSU • Broad-based curriculum in state-of-the-art molecular and cell biology research with strong specialization in cancer • Unique interface of graduate program with clinical activities in the KCI cancer hospital Shermaine Mitchell-Ryan (Y4)

3. Cancer Biology Graduate Program • Currently 57 interdisciplinary faculty • Areas of research interest broadly include tumor biology, tumor immunology, cancer prevention, carcinogenesis, cancer therapeutics, molecular genetics, population studies, and cancer metatasis Seema Shah (Y3)

4. Cancer Biology Graduate Program • 30 trainees • 29 domestic trainees • 12 males, 18 females • 2 MD/PhD trainees • 5 URM trainees • ~4-5 recruits per year • 4 trainees currently supported by F30/F31 fellowships • >97% completion rate • 4.7 years to completion Aaron Burr (Y3)

5. More than 70 PhD alumni have progressed to postdoctoral training positions in universities, research institutes, and pharmaceutical firms At least twelve hold academic rank of at least Assistant Professor Many others in pharma, other professional positions Cancer Biology Graduate Program Dr. Johnathan Whetstine, Dr. Matherly, and Dr. Jeffrey Taub

6. T32 CA009531-26 • “Training in the Biology of Cancer” • Currently in year 26 • Last competitive review in February 2012 • Received perfect score of 10 • Renewed for years 26-30 • 19 faculty members • 2 junior faculty, 2 clinical faculty • Supports 6 predoctoral trainees/year • Draws from Departments of Oncology and Pharmacology

7. T32 Stategies • Focus of training program • Interdisciplinary, topical, unique niche • Pre- and postdoctoral trainees • Relation to other training programs • Pre- and postdoctoral training grants (e.g., R25, T32) • Other support mechanisms (GRAs, individual F31-type fellowships) • Benefits to trainees • Separate from other departmental/institutional programs

8. Game plan for T32 • Program director should have active extramurally supported research program • Experience in education, administration, and mentorship • Associate Director with similar qualifications • Internal and external advisory committees

9. Game plan for T32 Diverse, well funded, generally experienced mentors Include faculty of different ranks May require co-mentors Evidence of faculty collaboration Documented training history (trainee publications, grants, professional appointments, etc.) Evaluative process for mentor selection and replacement

10. Game plan for T32 • Robust applicant pool (highly selective) • Domestic (“training grant eligible”) • Not all local • 5 year history of applicant numbers (applied, enrolled, completed degree) • Qualifications of most recent applicant pool and current trainees (institution, GPA, GREs) • MD/PhD trainees • Good recruitment strategies • Graduate fairs • Undergraduate research fellowships • Recruiting day • Strong discriminators of success

11. Game plan for T32 • Diversity recruitment • Track record on recruitment and retention • Specific recruiting plan • ABRCMS • Partner with minority institutions • Alumni • IMSD • “Dean’s Diversity Fellowship” • Summer undergraduate programs • Must justify number of training slots • Particular focus (e.g., MD/PhD)

12. Game plan for T32 • Robust trainee selection criterion • Nomination and competition • Ratio of nominees/trainees • For predocs, no support for first year • Distribution of trainees to mentors • Retention and graduation rates • 100% of training slots filled • Focus on underrepresented minorities • Plan to evaluate trainee progress • Annual review (2 year max support) • Exit interview

13. Game plan for T32 • Must document training facilities, key equipment, and types of departmental or interdepartmental interactions among trainees and faculty • Plans to address issues of institutional geography and trainee access to scientific, educational, and clinical resources

14. Game plan for T32 • Must provide evidence of institutional support • Cost sharing, tuition/benefit coverage • No faculty salaries allowed • 40% tuition costs not covered for predocs • Insurances exceeding $2000 not covered • Stipend and tuition support for years prior to and following T32 support • Infrastructure (facilities, cores, specimens, grants management, purchasing, etc.) • Other support (program staff, recruiting costs, travel to scientific conferences, etc.) • Documentation is essential

15. Game plan for T32 • Unique features of training plan • Unique curriculum (e.g., didactic courses, clinical rounding, qualifying exams, etc.) • Other training opportunies (networking, symposia, seminars, etc.) • National/international meetings, special workshops, local meetings (GSRD, Graduate Student Forum), etc. • Clinical interface • Transition to individual fellowships • Practical training (traditional/non-traditional, grant and fellowships, lab management, etc.) • Special populations (women, minorities)

16. Game plan for T32 • Responsible conduct of research • Mandatory • Didactic course • Documented curriculum • Participating faculty • Record of participation

17. Game plan for T32 • Trainees must continue to be productive in field and advance up professional ladder • 10 year follow-up (professional appointments, publications, grants, honors) • Evidence of career progression • Open to interpretation • Publications, grants, honors, positions, etc. • Plan for trainee follow-up • Tracking and solicitation • Alumni visits

18. Game plan for T32 • Effect of training program on curriculum and/or research orientation • Impact on faculty productivity • Foster collaborations • Institutional visibility • Faculty and trainee recruiting • Value of training-related expenses • Training costs • Travel and professional development • Special programs

19. Questions? CB Graduate Students with Dr. Judith Campisi Cancer Biology Student Symposium, May 2012