# The Nathan Schnaper Intern Program in Translational Cancer Research

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2024 · $285,590

## Abstract

Significant progress in detection and treatment has reduced cancer mortality rates; however, with over 1.7 million
new cases and 600,000 deaths from cancer reported in 2019, it remains a major health concern that is predicted
to surpass cardiovascular disease as the major cause of death in the US. by 2020. The growing segment of the
population that is over 65 years of age and at elevated risk for cancer adds to this disease burden. These data
highlight the need for new approaches to cancer treatment and its management in cancer survivors who are
projected to exceed 20 million by 2026. Advances in our understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms
that are disrupted in human cancers to promote oncogenesis have progressed at an unparalleled rate and
provide a seedbed for the novel therapeutic interventions required to fill this need. The current challenge is to
close this widening gap between laboratory discoveries and their clinical applications in the fight against cancer.
Indeed, creating a streamlined translational pipeline is a priority of the Cancer Moonshot Initiative. Despite these
unprecedented opportunities to impact patient outcomes, there is a shortage of young scientists and clinicians
with a strong background in cancer biology and the demand for oncologists is predicted to outpace the supply of
clinicians in this field by 2025. Thus, inspiring and training the next generation of cancer researchers and
oncologists is central to accelerating the translation of research breakthroughs into new diagnostics and
therapeutics. The Nathan Schnaper Intern Program in Translational Research (NISP) at the University of
Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center seeks to achieve this goal through three specific aims:
1) Recruit talented and diverse cohorts of undergraduate interns with an interest in cancer research and/or
clinical oncology from institutions across the US. 2) Integrate mentored research, educational modules and
clinical exposure to provide interns with hands-on experience in translational cancer research, excite them about
careers in this field and foster their success on this path. 3) Evaluate program outcomes and disseminate this
information to identify and share best practices, track the progress of intern alumni as a key metric of program
success and develop capacity-building partnerships. The NSIP has a strong history of training interns who make
seminal contributions to cancer biology. The current proposal builds upon this history, and successes of the first
funding period, by augmenting a robust summer curriculum with innovative population science components. New
modules in cancer epidemiology, disparities, and survivorship provide interns with a broader perspective of
cancer research, care and career opportunities. Furthermore, as part of an expanded cancer education pipeline
that is now comprised of nine programs, NSIP interns benefit from near peer networking through joint forums
that inform and impact their educ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10833649
- **Project number:** 5R25CA186872-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** BRET A HASSEL
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $285,590
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2021-05-01 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10833649

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10833649, The Nathan Schnaper Intern Program in Translational Cancer Research (5R25CA186872-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10833649. Licensed CC0.

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