# University of Michigan Surgical Oncology Research Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2024 · $257,366

## Abstract

Abstract
University of Michigan Surgical Oncology Research Training Program
There is a critical need for surgical oncologists to be trained in research disciplines. The purpose of this surgical
oncology research training program is to foster the development of productive and successful physician
scientists. Weiping Zou, M.D., Ph.D., the Charles B. de Nancrede Professor of Pathology, Immunology, Biology,
and Surgery and Jacqueline Jeruss, M.D., Ph.D., Professor of Surgery, Pathology, and Biomedical Engineering
serve as Co-Directors of this program. Trainees will be surgical residents enrolled in a two-year fellowship.
Specific aims of the fellowship are: 1) design, implement, analyze and report a research project; 2) obtain
instruction on fundamental research methods and clinical studies/trials; and 3) obtain instruction on fundamental
cancer biology and immunology, and health services research principles.
The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center provides an extensive breadth of cancer-related research
laboratories and programs to the trainees. The Rogel Cancer Center is an NCI-designated Cancer Center that
is among the top 7 cancer centers in terms of NIH research funding. All preceptors within this training program
are members of the Rogel Cancer Center. This program benefits from the strong track record of the Department
of Surgery in attracting academically oriented surgical residents. Each trainee will be assigned a mentor(s) to
implement a research project during the program. The program curriculum includes extensive instruction focused
on fundamental cancer biology and immunology principles, as well as instruction directed towards academic
career development. Formal instruction in the responsible conduct of research is required and provided through
the University. An External Advisory Committee of internationally renowned experts in clinical cancer care and
research has been enlisted to provide guidance and support for this important program.
This training program has been in existence for six funding periods spanning 30 years. The program continues
to be highly successful and has never gone unfilled, having enrolled 61 trainees. Of the trainees, 18% were
individuals from underrepresented minority ethnic groups, and 36% were female. According to a 2020 study,
Demblowski et al. found that, as of June 2020, only 0.7% of surgeon scientists held NIH R grant funding.1 A
recent survey of prior trainees revealed that 47% of respondents received external funding and 89% reported
involvement in clinical trials research. Among the 45 trainees who completed the T32 fellowship and their formal
clinical training, 87% are employed at academic/teaching hospitals. Narahari et al. suggest institutions and the
NIH provide increased early-career support to surgeon-scientists to assist surgeon-scientist career trajectories.2
This T32 program has been highly successful in meeting this critical objective of preparing young surgeons for
highly successful ac...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10923845
- **Project number:** 5T32CA009672-33
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** JACQUELINE SARA JERUSS
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $257,366
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-07-01 → 2027-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10923845

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10923845, University of Michigan Surgical Oncology Research Training Program (5T32CA009672-33). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10923845. Licensed CC0.

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