# Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination

> **NIH NIH P30** · UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA · 2024 · $22,564

## Abstract

Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination Summary
The goal of Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) is to ensure that Minnesota has a
continuous, robust, and diverse cancer workforce. We curate existing cancer education resources at the
Masonic Cancer Center (MCC), and identify gaps and create new programs to fill them. To improve our
abilities to attract, develop, and retain a diverse cancer workforce, we will create career stage–specific
paradigms containing common and unique resources. Common resources include evidence-based education
and professional development activities proven necessary for success at a given career stage from high school
through senior faculty. Unique resources will be customized to meet participants’ special needs as identified by
individual development plans. Shared and individualized resources will be combined to address 3 specific
aims: 1) Recruit a diverse cadre of students to cancer-focused programs; 2) Develop the academic and clinical
careers of trainees and professionals; and 3) Retain trainees and professionals in cancer-focused fields by
providing the appropriate educational, research, and collaborative environments. All efforts will be coordinated
with, and shaped by, MCC’s offices of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion (DEI) and Community Outreach and
Engagement (COE).
With CRTEC support, MCC contributes to numerous R25 and cancer-specific T32 training programs, funds
community-based participatory research, and takes advantage of training programs sponsored by the
University of Minnesota CTSA-funded Clinical and Translational Science Institute. It also supports members
with the development of grant applications.
Christopher Pennell, PhD, (Immunology Program), the Associate Director for Cancer Education & Training, has
directed the Education Office since its inception and has a long history of leading training programs, obtaining
education grant supplements, and directing education programs aimed at diverse groups from community
members to high school students to doctoral students. He also has an endowed professorship for innovative
education. He is supported by Kiara Ellis, MSW, who has directed MCC’s COE and CRTEC Offices for the
past 7 years, and Cathleen Drilling, MS, who has an Advanced Teaching Certification and direct experience
with education.
Future plans include the creation of an Education Advisory Board consisting of representatives from local
community colleges, public school science specialists, MCC Research Programs, and CTSI-Education to help
assess existing programs and to address newly identified needs. Near-peer mentoring will be implemented at
each level. Existing programs will also be expanded and improved.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10768143
- **Project number:** 2P30CA077598-26
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
- **Principal Investigator:** CHRISTOPHER A PENNELL
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $22,564
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 1998-06-01 → 2029-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10768143

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10768143, Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (2P30CA077598-26). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10768143. Licensed CC0.

---

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