# UPR/MDACC: Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research (2 of 2)

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES · 2021 · $1,399,411

## Abstract

OVERALL
PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT
This competitive renewal of the Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research (Partnership) between the
University of Puerto Rico (UPR) and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) will: 1)
solidify, strengthen, and expand the relationship between UPR and MDACC; and 2) leverage the breadth and
strengths of an experienced and integrated Partnership in transition of the UPR Comprehensive Cancer Center
(UPRCCC) towards a long-term overall goal: recognition of UPRCCC as an NCI-designated cancer center. To
address some of the most profound cancer health disparities in Puerto Rico and Texas, the Partnership will
establish an Infection-Driven Malignancies Program for Advancing Careers and Translational Sciences
(IMPACT). This application represents a partnership in which both institutions profit from sharing distinct
expertise to mutually benefit in implementation of integrated team science, outreach, education and career
development initiatives. To facilitate UPRCCC’s transition towards NCI-designation, the UPR PIs led the
development of the specific aims with support of the MDACC PIs. The Specific Aims for the renewal are: 1)
Develop a multidisciplinary research portfolio focused on health disparities derived from infection-driven
malignancies; 2) Increase the number of Hispanic students pursuing careers in laboratory and population-
based cancer research to produce a critical mass of clinicians, scientists, and physician-scientists, who
specialize in cancer research, with emphasis on cancer health disparities in underrepresented minorities and
underserved communities; 3) Strengthen sustainable collaborations among all the stakeholders to develop and
promote key community outreach, education, and interventions aimed at reducing cancer rates and
emphasizing vaccinations against malignancy linked infections, among Hispanic/Latino populations in PR, TX,
and elsewhere; 4) Leverage strategic collaborations with NCI-designated cancer centers to augment the
cancer research capacity of the UPR and the UPRCCC; and 5) Provide professional support and development
tools through the a) Administration; b) Planning and Evaluation; and c) Shared Resources Cores designed to
nurture and optimize the Partnership’s research, education, and outreach agendas in support of the long-term
goal of an NCI-designated Cancer Center. Key elements of this application to advance the Partnership include:
1) Multidisciplinary collaborative research projects focused on IMPACT that represent stages of the
translational research continuum; 2) A comprehensive cancer-focused training and career development core;
3) The development of a dual MD/MPH degree to address specific cancers disproportionately affecting
Hispanic populations; 4) Outreach efforts to build, educate, and advocate for broad HPV vaccination programs;
and 5) a DATAOmics Core that builds infrastructure. This initiative will strengthen the overall cancer research
enterprise...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10247710
- **Project number:** 5U54CA096297-18
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO MED SCIENCES
- **Principal Investigator:** REYNOLD Eugenio LOPEZ-ENRIQUEZ
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $1,399,411
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2002-08-16 → 2024-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10247710

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10247710, UPR/MDACC: Partnership for Excellence in Cancer Research (2 of 2) (5U54CA096297-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10247710. Licensed CC0.

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