# Cancer Research Career Enhancement and Related Activities

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH · 2022 · $84,917

## Abstract

Abstract: Career Enhancement and Related Activities
A major strategic initiative for UPMC Hillman Cancer Center (HCC) is to develop a well-trained, diverse
biomedical workforce through research education, training, and career-development activities that promote the
understanding of the biology and treatment of cancer. To this end, the HCC Committee for Excellence in
Cancer Education and Training (CECET) meets 4 times a year to review the breadth, depth, accessibility, and
effectiveness of available education and training opportunities and to develop new programs as needed.
CECET overseas an HCC investment of ~$1.4M/year in education and training. Our work is organized through
three main specific aims designed to provide career enhancement opportunities across the biomedical training
pipeline. The first aim is to educate and inspire high school and undergraduate students about careers in
cancer research with a focus on serving underrepresented populations. The Hillman Academy has provided an
8-week summer internship introducing careers in cancer research to 433 high school students, including 175
(40%) underrepresented minority and disadvantaged (URM/DA) in our catchment area (CA). The Academy is
supported by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, CURE and the Jack Kent Foundation, and the award of a
new R25CA236620 allows an immediate 70% increase in the number of URM/DA students. This new
R25CA236620 also provides support to improve the science literacy of our surrounding community by
developing 1-day workshops that include hands-on activities, tours of facilities, and career seminars on cancer
research. Our second aim is to encourage medical and doctoral students as well as clinical and postdoctoral
fellows to pursue careers in cancer research. We have used HCC philanthropy to recruit the first class of
Hillman Medical Student and Postdoctoral Fellows for Innovative Cancer Research. We have increased the
number of NCI T32 training grants from 4 to 6 to support the cancer research focus of all CCSG programs. Our
commitment to graduate student researcher (GSR) education is evidenced by our support of more GSRs than
any other Pitt SOM Institute or Department. At the request of the newly formed HCC postdoctoral association,
we have established a new grant writing class that tailors K99 R00 applications to the NCI. This initiative builds
on previous F30, F31, F99 K00 and K00 R01 successes. We will extend our Hillman Fellows for Innovative
Cancer Research program into a new “Bridge to Faculty” positions that will guarantee faculty positions when
key metrics are attained. Our third aim is to enhance the professional growth of faculty through an extensive,
multi-faceted faculty mentorship program that eliminates barriers to innovative cancer research and
strengthens R01 applications to the NCI. We will also increase efforts across our network to ensure equal
access of our health care providers to exceptional cancer education and training programs, such ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10474499
- **Project number:** 5P30CA047904-34
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTOPHER J. BAKKENIST
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $84,917
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-09-10 → 2025-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10474499

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10474499, Cancer Research Career Enhancement and Related Activities (5P30CA047904-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10474499. Licensed CC0.

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