# Scholars in Oncology Associated Research (SOAR)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO · 2021 · $149,282

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
With the increasing complexity of cancer care, the rising numbers of diverse cancer survivors in the US
population, and the increasing global burden of cancer, it is critical that Pritzker School of Medicine (PSOM)
prepare a workforce trained to meet these challenges. Workforce for the continuum of care from risk
assessment and prevention, early detection, treatment, survivorship and end of life care is interdisciplinary and
inter-professional but medical education has remained compartmentalized. We aim to transform our approach
to training medical students at PSOM for 21st Century cancer care by developing the Scholars in Oncology
Associated Research (SOAR) program. In a new highly innovative 11-week intensive summer program
for medical students, SOAR participants will learn fundamentals of cancer research along with interdisciplinary
and interprofessional cancer care. The program will enroll twelve medical students each year, including four
students who will conduct global cancer research at established UChicago Global partner sites. Each student
will conduct interdisciplinary cutting-edge cancer research in with strong mentorship by established NIH
funded investigators in our Comprehensive Cancer Center or the Center for Global Health. In addition,
trainees will take part in formal instruction in responsible conduct of research, didactic lectures on the science
of oncology, interdisciplinary tumor boards, research skill development and career planning activities as well as
opportunities for career exploration, networking, and outreach that will increase their knowledge of cancer and
motivate them to pursue further education and training for future careers as cancer researchers. Trainees will
be supported by a tiered mentorship structure that includes Faculty Cluster Group Leaders who will be
responsible for monitoring progress along milestones of completing their projects and lead peer mentoring
sessions where they learn about each other's research. Using didactic sessions, experiential research training
in diverse settings that represent the diversity of cancer research, and formal exposure to national and global
leaders in oncology research across the care continuum, SOAR participants will have a greater appreciation
for research training in the context of the interdisciplinary and interprofessional oncology care. With rigorous
evaluation and planning, we will continue to improve SOAR and determine if SOAR participants show a greater
propensity to pursue cancer research and/or pursue oncology as a career, as well as track long-term outcomes
such as publications, grants, and entry into academic careers. The SOAR program aims to inculcate the next
generation of cancer researchers with the desire to understand and improve quality of cancer care through
pursuit of research intensive careers in Academia, Industry, Government or private Health Systems. SOAR will
enable PSOM to maintain its tradition of excellence in prepar...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10219198
- **Project number:** 5R25CA240134-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO
- **Principal Investigator:** OLUFUNMILAYO F. OLOPADE
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $149,282
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10219198

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10219198, Scholars in Oncology Associated Research (SOAR) (5R25CA240134-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10219198. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*