# VOLT (Vanderbilt Oncology Training Program)

> **NIH NIH T32** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER · 2024 · $322,587

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
The overall goal of the Vanderbilt Oncology Training Program (VOLT) is to prepare hematology and oncology
fellows and other trainees for careers conducting impactful cancer-related clinical, translational, and
population science. The objectives of VOLT are 1) to identify and recruit trainees to become top-tier junior
investigators in hematology and oncology by providing an advanced training experience, 2) to develop skills
that support this career, including communication, resiliency, team building, and grant management, and 3)
to educate trainees on the importance and incorporation of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and
community outreach and engagement (COE) into their research and clinical practice. VOLT will accomplish
this by mentored clinical research in oncology and tailored didactics including Master’s degree programs.
Through regular meetings with the Program Directors, peer trainees, and mentorship committees, annual
retreats, as well as preparation of Individual Development Plans and structured Progress Reports, VOLT
trainees gain the skill set required for a successful oncology research career. VOLT has identified a diverse
group of 43 committed, experienced mentors across cancer-related disciplines. Trainees conduct mentored
research in three areas: 1) molecular oncology, 2) therapeutic development, tumor immunology, and
immunotherapy, and 3) bioinformatics, big data, and cancer outcomes. Trainees are recruited from medical
and pediatric hematology and oncology, or other cancer-related disciplines. VOLT is led by two physician
scientists, a medical oncologist who conducts translational research and a pediatric oncologist who conducts
population science and clinical research. An Internal Advisory Committee representing the diversity of VOLT
research evaluates prospective trainees, and monitors the progress of individual trainees and the program’s
success. Metrics for trainee and program evaluation include diversity of program participants, program
completion, retention in research-focused careers, funding success, publication, and impact. An External
Advisory Committee, composed of four physician-scientists, provides input into the scientific direction of
program, ensures it is meeting national workforce needs and cancer priorities, and monitors progress,
accomplishments, and trajectory to further programmatic advancement. Ongoing program evaluation has led
to improvements in trainee evaluation, minority recruitment strategies, training in DEI and COE and mentoring,
and changes in advisors and mentors to reflect greater diversity. Our 10 trainees have published 28
manuscripts since their appointment to VOLT. Four have received peer-reviewed grant support, and an
additional three have applications under review. Of the five trainees who have graduated, four continue in
research-intensive careers. In its first cycle, VOLT has been successful in developing trainees who will lead
cancer research and advance cancer c...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10915394
- **Project number:** 5T32CA217834-07
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Debra L. Friedman
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $322,587
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-08-01 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10915394

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10915394, VOLT (Vanderbilt Oncology Training Program) (5T32CA217834-07). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10915394. Licensed CC0.

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