# A National Curriculum in Cancer Genomics for Residents and Medical Students

> **NIH NIH R25** · BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · $180,921

## Abstract

Abstract
Genomic testing has become integrated into cancer care. Physicians routinely order tumor
sequencing analyzing hundreds of genes to identify options for personalized treatment.
Unfortunately, the vast majority of physicians are poorly trained in applied genetics let alone
genomics. Pathologists play a key role in tumor genomic testing and, since 2012, the Training
Residents in Genomics (TRIG) Working Group, a multi-organizational committee, has utilized
R25 grant funding to develop a national pathology resident cancer genomics curriculum. There
has been remarkable progress with over 20 innovative international team-based learning (TBL)
workshops, creation of online resources and novel use of a national Resident In-Service Exam
(RISE) to gauge progress in genomics curriculum implementation. To continue to ensure
adequate pathology resident cancer genomics education, and given the rapidly changing field, a
major aim of this grant renewal application is to revise, evaluate and further promote the TRIG
curriculum and utilize the RISE as an evaluation tool. Another major proposed objective is to
adapt the TRIG model to undergraduate medical education. As almost every physician will treat
patients with cancer or cancer survivors and assist in cancer prevention and risk assessment,
all require some knowledge of cancer genomics. A logical starting point is medical school but
there is evidence of a need for educational resources. To fill this gap, utilizing the
Undergraduate Training in Genomics (UTRIG) Working Group, a multi-organizational committee
made up of medical school pathology course directors and experts in genetics, a national
medical student cancer genomics curriculum will be developed along with tools for
implementation including rigorously vetted workshops, an instructor handbook and online
modules. To gauge progress, the RISE-FIRST exam will be utilized. Given to approximately
400 pathology residents annually during their first month of training, the results can provide
valuable information on the current level of undergraduate genomics education in the United
States.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10251126
- **Project number:** 5R25CA168544-10
- **Recipient organization:** BETH ISRAEL DEACONESS MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Richard L Haspel
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $180,921
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2012-09-21 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10251126

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10251126, A National Curriculum in Cancer Genomics for Residents and Medical Students (5R25CA168544-10). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10251126. Licensed CC0.

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