PROJECT SUMMARY – OVERALL The Salk Institute is rooted in the notion that exploring the very foundations of life will benefit all. As one of the first Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers to receive the NCI designation in 1973, the Salk Cancer Center (SCC) is a world leader in cancer research, continuing its tradition of pioneering foundational research in cancer biology, gene expression, epigenetics, DNA damage/repair, metabolism, and immunology, as well as training the future generation of cancer scientists. Our central mission is basic discovery — discovery that is the foundation for cancer prevention and therapeutics. The SCC has two Research Programs: Genome Stability, Epigenetics & Aging in Cancer; and Tumor Immunology, Metabolism & Therapeutics. The Programs are supported by seven highly innovative Shared Resources providing SCC members access to cutting-edge technologies, services, and expertise. A recent major restructuring has streamlined decision-making and made leadership more responsive. Importantly, this reorganization incorporated more diverse perspectives and expertise in leadership, while ensuring a sustainable pipeline of emerging leaders. SCC’s Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination Core and Plan to Enhance Diversity Core are part of the fabric of these efforts, creating a pipeline for the next generation of diverse and exceptional cancer scientists and leaders. Through six Strategic Goals, the SCC emphasizes collaborative and translational research while focusing on training the next generation of scientists and ensuring a diverse cancer research workforce.