# Behavioral Oncology Education & Career Development

> **NIH NIH T32** · H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST · 2024 · $421,602

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Consistent with recent NCI priorities, there is an urgent need for new investigators to develop skills to broaden
the translation of established and emerging cancer prevention and control strategies. Transdisciplinary learning
experiences in Behavioral Oncology must evolve to include health equity, technology, policy, data science,
cancer care delivery, community engagement, dissemination, and implementation science to enhance impact
on patients and communities. Moffitt Cancer Center (Moffitt) is uniquely positioned to train the next generation
of Behavioral Oncology scientists as the only NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in a state with the
nation’s second highest cancer burden. This renewal builds upon a 20-year history of highly successful
postdoctoral Behavioral Oncology training. Among trainees from the recently funded cycle who have completed
training, 92% have continued in cancer research careers; of those, 58% hold tenure track faculty positions. In
addition, an impressive 42% of trainees received NIH funding as a direct result of participating in our T32 grant
writing seminar. Notably, during the current funding period (2019-2024), 53% of trainees admitted and enrolled
(excluding 3 trainees who had completed their first year as part of the R25T and therefore were not recruited in
this T32) were from underrepresented groups (as defined by the NIH), reflecting our intentional and ongoing
efforts to ensure a diverse group of independent investigators. In this renewal, our T32 program will retain
components of mentoring, structured learning activities, and immersion within the cancer center that have been
key to our success, while adding novel components that address the changing landscape of Behavioral
Oncology. Innovations include a conceptual framework that further guides our use of empirically supported
strategies to enhance trainee success and the addition of new mentors and training opportunities to align with
the abovementioned priority areas. Our T32 program has four goals: 1) Train 15 full-time postdoctoral fellows
committed to research in Behavioral Oncology, of whom at least 30% will be from groups underrepresented in
cancer research; 2) Implement a comprehensive structured training program in Behavioral Oncology rooted in
health equity; 3) Engage mentors to improve trainee experiences using empirically supported mentoring
strategies; and 4) Evaluate training program efforts to continually assess impact and inform modifications. T32
program activities are supported by a strong institutional commitment and a robust infrastructure to support
Behavioral Oncology research and training (e.g., a state-of-the art cancer prevention lab, a cancer analytics
platform of patient self-reported data and clinical data). In summary, trainees of the T32 Behavioral Oncology
Program are expected to go on to successful research careers with a transdisciplinary, translational, and health
equity focus.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10933166
- **Project number:** 2T32CA090314-21
- **Recipient organization:** H. LEE MOFFITT CANCER CTR & RES INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Vani N Simmons
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $421,602
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2019-09-11 → 2029-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10933166

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10933166, Behavioral Oncology Education & Career Development (2T32CA090314-21). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10933166. Licensed CC0.

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