# Career Enhancement Program

> **NIH NIH P50** · UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $95,947

## Abstract

Project Summary
The CEP provides seed funding for early-stage investigators whose research addresses important objectives in
kidney cancer. The goal of the CEP is to attract talented, typically early-career, investigators with novel ideas
and/or experimental approaches in translational kidney cancer research. The CEP is led by an energetic
leadership team who represent the spectrum of academic experience, have complementary research expertise,
and offer diverse perspectives. They include a clinical pathologist, Dr. Kapur, Professor of Pathology and Director
of Genitourinary Pathology; a molecular biologist, Dr. Zhang, Associate Professor of Pathology; and a cell
biologist, Dr. Conacci-Sorrell, Assistant Professor of Cell Biology. Dr. Conacci-Sorrell, a previous CEP recipient,
is a member of an underrepresented minority (URM) group and a role model. The CEP is committed to recruiting
and training the next generation of researchers who are focused on translational kidney cancer research, with
an emphasis on attracting women and URMs. The CEP partners with the Office of Faculty Diversity and
Development and the Office of Women’s Careers to recruit women and URM faculty. CEP proposals are solicited
by Core A via campus-wide email. Submitted proposals are reviewed by at least 4 reviewers, including members
of the SPORE leadership, IAB/EAB, and other UTSW faculty with relevant expertise. Criteria for selection include
significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications (and mentorship), and translational potential. The
highest-scoring proposals are funded following approval by the SPORE Executive Committee. The CEP will
assist awardees by: (a) providing preferential access to all SPORE Cores, (b) assigning mentors, (c) formulating
a career development plan that includes relevant career development workshops, seminars, and educational
courses, (d) assisting in identifying other funding sources and putting together competitive applications, and (e)
providing forums for brainstorming and synergy. Metrics of success include presentations at scientific meetings,
successful competition for independent grant support, publication of original research studies, and promotion
through the academic ranks. Enabling an expansion of the CEP/DRP, SPORE funding is complemented by funds
from the Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center (SCCC) and UTSW, which provide $400,000/year in direct
costs. The CEP plans to award 3 to 6 projects per year. The CEP will accomplish its mission through the following
Aims. Aim 1. Promoting translational kidney cancer research by recruiting and supporting junior faculty. Aim 2.
Attracting seasoned investigators to refocus their expertise on kidney cancer. Aim 3. Promoting diversity by
recruiting women and underrepresented minorities. Aim 4. Mentoring new investigators in the kidney cancer
field through traditional and innovative mechanisms. Illustrating our commitment to supporting an exceptional
CEP and highlighting our successfu...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10890802
- **Project number:** 5P50CA196516-08
- **Recipient organization:** UT SOUTHWESTERN MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Payal Kapur
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $95,947
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-08-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10890802

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10890802, Career Enhancement Program (5P50CA196516-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10890802. Licensed CC0.

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