# Research Training in Surgical Oncology

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE · 2021 · $125,001

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The decrease in the number of physician-scientists correlates with the NIH’s concern regarding the lack
of skilled investigators capable of leading the translation of research discoveries to clinical practice. To
address this national shortage, the Department of Surgery at the University of Miami (UM) Health System
and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center (Sylvester), have re-dedicated the renewal of this T32
training program to producing outstanding academic surgical oncologists—both clinician investigators
and physician scientists. Integration of a two-year research experience into a general surgery residency
or surgical oncology fellowship enhances the likelihood that surgeons will pursue academic careers. The
trainees who have completed the research portion of their training are currently completing their clinical
training, and we anticipate that they will pursue academic careers in fields related to surgical oncology
following completion of their training. Trainees have demonstrated tremendous productivity as evidenced
by publications, national presentations, and awards. The specific objectives of this program are to: 1)
provide training in the conduct of basic, translational, health services, disparities and clinical hypothesis-
driven research, through participation in a two-year, tailored didactic and mentored post-doctoral
research training program experience; 2) integrate surgical oncology research into general surgery
residency and fellowship programs; and 3) develop and expand the pool of surgeon-scientists to become
productive researchers and future leaders in academic surgical oncology. Our program provides
opportunities in a broad range of research training disciplines through two types of research tracks: 1) a
basic and translational science research track in which trainees spend 24 months in the laboratory or 2)
a health disparities and outcomes research track in which trainees spend 24 months under the direction
of one or two of the faculty mentors; this track may include either one year of laboratory-based research
followed by a year of population-based research or two years of population-based research. This
versatility in academic training increases the likelihood of obtaining an academic position upon
completion of training. The mentors in our program include a pool of experienced, extramurally funded
physician- and research-scientists with active research programs in a variety of surgical oncology-related
disciplines including surgery, oncology, population health, health disparities, and biomedical engineering,
who are committed to the highest quality research experience. Our T32 Research Training Program in
Surgical Oncology incorporates an effective assessment processes, a plan to promote diversity by
recruiting and retaining both women and minorities, and a comprehensive plan for training in the
responsible conduct of research in a dynamic, stimulating and collegial learning environment in which
aspi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10200455
- **Project number:** 2T32CA211034-06
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** NIPUN B. MERCHANT
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $125,001
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2016-09-15 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10200455

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10200455, Research Training in Surgical Oncology (2T32CA211034-06). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10200455. Licensed CC0.

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