Career Enhancement Program

PROJECT SUMMARY
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. The CEP will extend
current efforts to promote diversity in pancreatic cancer research through recruitment of women, minority, and
disabled faculty. 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.
Specific Aim 4: Promote participation of women, minority, and disabled investigators in pancreatic
cancer research. Diversity Advisor Bettina Drake, PhD, MPH will guide recruitment, training, and retention of
women, minority, and disabled investigators in pancreatic cancer research at all training levels. We have also
added two diversity advisors to the Internal Advisory Board (IAB) to synergize the SPORE efforts with the WUSM
wide initiative to hire and retain faculty of diverse backgrounds underrepresented in medicine.
Relevance: These aims will support research the next generation of PDAC researchers and project to improve
our understanding of pancreatic cancer biology and develop new therapeutic approaches