# Oncology Research Training for Surgeon-Scientists

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 2024 · $382,660

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
This application is a competitive renewal of Translational Oncology Research Training for Surgeon Scientists,
a transformative training program at the University of Kentucky (UK) designed for qualified trainees in the
surgical disciplines and with an interest in oncology research. The program addresses critical national
declines in the number of surgeon scientists engaged in cancer research through a two-year period of
intensive, interdisciplinary mentored research training to prepare trainees to become independent scientists
who are well prepared to incorporate state-of-the-art techniques learned during their training period into a
successful academic research career. Trainees (2 each year) typically enter the program following
completion of postgraduate year (PGY) 2 or 3 of their residency training or upon completion of the surgical
residency and select either the basic science option (Track 1) or the healthcare delivery research option
(Track 2). Opportunities in Track 1 span cell signaling, tumor biology, cancer progression and metastasis as
well as evolving areas such metabolomics, oncogenomics and epigenetics. Track 2, a proposed new program
component, provides training in cancer disparities, implementation science and population-level enquiry. In
addition to an intensive research experience, trainees complete a Master of Science or PhD degree in clinical
and translational sciences and supplement their coursework with further development through a combination
of formal courses and professional skills development workshops and seminars in such areas as responsible
conduct of research, reproducibility and manuscript and proposal development. Through regularly scheduled
seminars and lectures available through the Markey Cancer Center, their departments and prominent UK
centers, including the Center for Clinical and Translational Science, trainees engage in rich experiential and
didactic learning that prepares them as active contributors to the types of multidisciplinary teams that are
essential for the optimal treatment of the complex cancer patient. The requirement to successfully complete
either a master’s or PhD degree adds depth and breadth to this program of training, broadening exposure to
other UK scientists serving on thesis committees. The primary training faculty is composed of basic and
population scientists and clinician-scientists, all of whom work collaboratively across disciplines; each primary
faculty mentor is a recognized expert in his or her field and has a long record of research productivity in the
training of young investigators. A “pipeline” mentor development mechanism allows us to develop promising
early-career faculty members as mentors within our team-based mentoring approach. This program, which is
committed to fostering diversity in the community of surgeon scientists, including women and those from
underrepresented groups, has been highly successful in achieving its goals to address alarming declin...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10876891
- **Project number:** 5T32CA160003-12
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **Principal Investigator:** Bernard Mark Evers
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $382,660
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2011-07-01 → 2028-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10876891

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10876891, Oncology Research Training for Surgeon-Scientists (5T32CA160003-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10876891. Licensed CC0.

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