# Tumor Cell Biology Training Program > **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES · 2024 · $486,665 ## Abstract Abstract/Summary The goal of the Tumor Cell Biology Training Program (TCB-TP) is to equip the next generation of cancer biologists and clinician scientists with the tools required to drive innovative biomedical research during their careers. Despite dramatic improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of certain cancers, an intensified effort on multiple fronts is required to continue progress toward long-term survival or cure for all cancer types. The TCB-TP uses two complementary approaches to provide trainees with the knowledge, analytical tools, and critical thinking skills they need to integrate diverse and rapidly evolving fields of biology and technology, as well as insights generated by clinical researchers: 1) Training in the mechanisms of tumor initiation and progression, and the techniques available to study these processes, and 2) Providing opportunities to directly connect insights from basic tumor biology with the rapid evolution of cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. These objectives are achieved through the participation of trainees and faculty with a wide range of scientific interests and expertise in both basic and translational research. Trainee mentors are drawn from 25 Ph.D. and M.D. faculty members in 15 different UCLA departments; areas of research include cancer-initiating cells, transcriptional regulation, tumor micro-environment, metabolism, computational biology and ‘omics analyses, and cell cycle control, as well as disease-specific investigations, diagnostics, and drug discovery. Eight predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees are typically supported for two-three years while they conduct mentored laboratory-based research projects. The TCB-TP provides several additional unique training and career development opportunities for its trainees. The centerpiece of the program is a monthly seminar course that brings together trainees and faculty to critically discuss research data presented by each trainee, culminating in an annual symposium. Trainees are also introduced to the multiple paths leading to new cancer diagnostics and therapeutics through the Career Opportunities Forum in which invited speakers from industry or science publishing join the trainees for weekly discussions during summer quarter. The New Technologies Seminar series brings invited faculty together with trainees to discuss cutting edge technologies, with topics chosen by trainees. Trainees connect with leaders in their field by inviting and hosting external speakers for the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC) seminar series. One-on-one meetings between program leadership and trainees provide feedback on seminar presentations and Individual Development Plans. Courses on grant writing, ethics, and reproducibility in research are mandatory for all trainees. The TCB-TP is jointly directed by Dr. Gay M. Crooks and Dr. Owen N. Witte, academic leaders at UCLA with well-established programs in basic and translational research. Internal and external a... ## Key facts - **NIH application ID:** 10876242 - **Project number:** 5T32CA009056-47 - **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES - **Principal Investigator:** Gay M Crooks - **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.) - **Funding institute:** NIH - **Fiscal year:** 2024 - **Award amount:** $486,665 - **Award type:** 5 - **Project period:** 1980-07-01 → 2028-07-31 ## Primary source NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10876242 ## Citation > US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10876242, Tumor Cell Biology Training Program (5T32CA009056-47). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10876242. Licensed CC0. --- *[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*