# Training of Academic Surgical Oncologists

> **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR · 2020 · $386,192

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
With the rapid progress in cancer biology, there is a great need to train academic surgical oncologists that can
not only deliver state of the art surgical care, but can also lead multidisciplinary teams and research programs
leveraging molecular oncology, immunology and other emerging fields. To address the national shortage of
surgical investigators focused on surgical oncology, the Department of Surgical Oncology at the University of
Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has dedicated its T32 training program to producing academic surgical
oncologists. The long-term objective is to train surgical residents and surgical oncology fellows in the essential
research skills necessary to be productive independent surgical investigators in clinical, translational, and
laboratory-based oncology research and to become leaders in oncology. Moreover, we are committed to
providing T32 training to groups that are underrepresented in academic surgical oncology, including minorities
and women. Training is offered to eight postdoctoral M.D. or M.D. Ph.D. fellows either during a 24-month
hiatus from general surgery residency training or during a three-year combined clinical/research fellowship in
surgical oncology that begins after general surgery residency. Our T32 training program has been highly
successful in achieving its goals and is now entering its 30th year. Upon completion of their residency training,
most of our T32 research fellows either started fellowship training, or accepted academic surgical positions.
Upon completion of their surgical oncology fellowship training, 100% of our T32 clinical/research fellows
entered academic Surgical Oncology positions. Our T32 program provides research opportunities in a broad
range of basic oncologic disciplines, in one of three training tracks; a. basic and translational research, b.
quality, clinical effectiveness and outcomes, c. Clinical trials and biomarkers. This academic training program
allows us to train surgeons with a diverse set of unique skills, increasing the likelihood of trainees obtaining an
academic position upon completion of training. Training in biostatistics, responsible conduct of research, and
a rich array of seminars and graduate courses available are integral to the T32 program. The T32 program
faculty includes a multidisiplinary faculty pool, including established surgical investigators, medical and
radiation oncologists as well as academic basic science researchers, with peer-reviewed funding. MD
Anderson is a leading NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center that provides trainees access to unique
resources and our location in the Texas Medical Center provides our trainees potential collaborators at six
academic institutions. Thus, the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a highly stimulating
environment for future leaders in academic surgical oncology.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9869857
- **Project number:** 5T32CA009599-32
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF TX MD ANDERSON CAN CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** FUNDA MERIC-BERNSTAM
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $386,192
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1994-05-25 → 2023-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9869857

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9869857, Training of Academic Surgical Oncologists (5T32CA009599-32). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9869857. Licensed CC0.

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