# Biobehavioral Oncology Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN · 2024 · $366,411

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
This new T32 resubmission application supports a postdoctoral research training program in biobehavioral
oncology at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) in Milwaukee. The two-year Biobehavioral Oncology
Training (BBOT) Program will support two new fellows per year for a steady state of four and total of 10 over the
funding period. Our program integrates the cross cutting theme of cancer disparities from prevention to
survivorship. Our preceptors are members of MCW's Cancer Center, which is on a strong trajectory toward NCI
designation. The BBOT Program is an interdisciplinary program that considers the contribution of biological and
behavioral factors to cancer prevention, control and treatment response through the integration of two themes:
1) the biology of stress and disparities, and 2) social determinants of health, behavior, and outcomes. It is the
first training program in Wisconsin to address the biological and behavioral aspects of cancer prevention and
control and the first cancer-focused training program at MCW. The primary objective of this proposal is to produce
successful independent cancer research leaders who come from diverse population groups to remediate cancer
health disparities by incorporating biological and behavioral aspects into their cancer research. BBOT will be
supported by 20 primary mentors, all funded PIs with grants totaling $18M in annual cancer-relevant extramural
support. Mentors include 13 PhDs, six MDs, and one MD/PhD appointed in 12 departments and
interdepartmental programs. Additionally, six junior mentors with relevant expertise will participate in a Junior
Mentoring Program, serving as associate mentors to BBOT trainees. Collectively, mentors have outstanding
expertise in epidemiology, basic cancer biology, genetics, biostatistics, neuroscience, immunology, and
behavioral medicine and interventions, offering research opportunities focusing on the interactions of genetic,
molecular, neural, psychological, behavioral and social factors and their impact on cancer. Informed by an
individualized development plan, the training program includes four components designed to prepare trainees to
launch and sustain successful research careers: i) didactic learning; ii) multidisciplinary biobehavioral oncology
mentored research experience; iii) career development; and iv) community engagement. Milwaukee is the fifth
poorest and one of the most segregated cities in the US and is home to the majority of Wisconsin's African
American, Hispanic and Hmong communities. The BBOT experience and training goals are designed to develop
a diverse cadre of scientists who will dedicate their careers to ameliorating the persistent cancer disparities
manifest in our city and across the nation. Internal and External Advisory Committees will provide ongoing
evaluation and feedback to ensure that program goals are effectively met. BBOT has enthusiastic and robust
institutional support from the Program Directors' department cha...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10874751
- **Project number:** 5T32CA269115-02
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL COLLEGE OF WISCONSIN
- **Principal Investigator:** Jennifer Mary KNIGHT
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $366,411
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10874751

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10874751, Biobehavioral Oncology Training Program (5T32CA269115-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10874751. Licensed CC0.

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