Research Project
10171151
The purpose of the Career Enhancement Program (CEP) of the Roswell Park Ovarian Cancer SPORE is to support the career development of junior researchers in translational ovarian cancer research. The target population for the program is outstanding entry-level (i.e. Assistant Professor) scientific and clinical faculty, but in some cases may include senior postdoctoral or clinical fellows with exceptional potential for independent research careers. A secondary goal of the CEP is to promote the diversity of ovarian cancer researchers, by encouraging the recruitment of outstanding women, underrepresented minorities and individuals with disabilities. The CEP will be supported both by the Roswell Park Ovarian Cancer SPORE funds and matching institutional funds from Roswell Park and the University of Rochester Wilmot Cancer Institute. The CEP serves as a structured mechanism for identifying outstanding candidates through an open and competitive application and review process and matching the resulting awardees with experienced mentors. The CEP Leaders will convene a NIH format study section and assign NIH R21-type applications to two scientific and one patient advocate reviewers. Review results will be summarized in the Administrative Core and submitted to the Internal Advisory Board for recommendations for funding. Successful applications will be funded at the level of $50,000 per year for up to two years (total award $100,000). We anticipate funding four awards per year, depending on the funding year. CEP awardees will be provided full access to the Roswell Park Ovarian Cancer SPORE Core resources, including tissue specimens and statistical support. The CEP will directly facilitate career development through: i) a constructive proposal review by the Roswell Park Ovarian Cancer SPORE Executive Committee and Internal Advisory Board, which are composed of talented investigators with expertise in basic, clinical, and population- based research, ii) research training with a mentor chosen from among a diverse faculty with broad expertise in academic career development, and iii) access to development/enrichment programs, including ovarian cancer disease site research group meetings, periodic SPORE meetings, seminar series, and Roswell Park Ovarian Cancer SPORE annual retreats. In summary, the CEP provides a vital mechanism for the development of the next generation of translational ovarian cancer researchers at Roswell Park and affiliated institutions.
