PROJECT SUMMARY: Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination Evan Shereck, M.D., M.Ed., Associate Director of Cancer Research Training The foundation of any premier cancer research center is the training and education it provides to its students, trainees, faculty, and staff. At the Knight Cancer Institute (KCI), Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination activities are managed by our Cancer Research Career Enhancement (CRCE) team. CRCE develops and maintains programs and support to build a diverse, prepared cancer research workforce. The goal of CRCE is to provide education and career enhancement activities that prepare all trainees, faculty, and staff for sustained, productive, and fulfilling careers within cancer research. The genesis of innovation in cancer research is collaboration and communication amongst researchers; CRCE provides the necessary structure for these intra- and inter-programmatic interactions. CRCE activities facilitate connections for students, trainees, and researchers within and between the KCI Research Programs and Shared Resources, which in turn stimulates innovations in cancer diagnosis and treatment. CRCE recognizes that the best teams are composed of diverse voices where all members feel respected and able to share their thoughts and opinions. In alignment with the KCI Strategic Plan to support a Culture of Inclusion and Innovation, CRCE is committed to increasing diversity and inclusion through recruitment, as well as by preparing this diverse workforce for promotion to leadership positions. At every stage in the training continuum, our focus is on the inclusion of individuals identifying with under-represented groups across race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, language proficiency, and ability. The KCI is proud to have started many educational programs aimed at leadership training designed especially for these populations. This included an overall investment in CRCE of $3.6 million and $25 million towards the recruitment of faculty members identifying with an under-represented group over the past reporting period. By supporting all students, trainees, faculty, and employees in their professional development, CRCE enhances the ability of the KCI to achieve its mission of ending cancer as we know it for the patients within our catchment area and beyond.