# Duke Radiation Oncology and Radiology Stimulating Access to Research in Residency

> **NIH NIH R38** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $355,808

## Abstract

Advances in imaging and radiation therapy have the potential to spark widespread improvements in cancer
diagnosis and treatment. However, a major barrier to progress in Radiation Oncology and Radiology is a
shortage of physician-scientists with the necessary training to make transformative discoveries. Therefore,
there is an urgent need to develop novel pathways for extended mentored research to retain more radiation
oncologists and radiologists in research. To address this gap, we propose a Duke Radiation Oncology and
Radiology Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (Duke ROR StARR) Program, with its central
mission to cultivate Resident-Investigators in Radiation Oncology and Radiology through protected time to
perform mentored research, therefore creating a cadre of physician-scientists who will make future discoveries
that advance imaging and treatment of cancer. With a multi-departmental strategy spanning clinical and basic
science departments, Resident-Investigators will experience individualized, multifaceted, and continuous
training, embedded within a robust, institutional framework for physician scientist support. A team of multi-
disciplinary, well-funded faculty Preceptors, as well as a group of talented Rising Preceptors, offer research
opportunities in areas along the cancer research continuum from basic radiation and cancer biology, to pre-
clinical imaging and translational studies, to early phase clinical trials. These areas address NCI strategic
research priorities that include dissecting pathobiological mechanisms of cancer and developing novel
diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The program will consist of five training Aims: (1) Comprehensive
didactics on professional development and basic, translational, and clinical research; (2) A research project
and individual career development plan; (3) Scholarly activity; (4) Board eligibility for the American Board of
Radiology; and (5) A path for continued post-residency mentored research training with sub-specialty clinical
development. Led by PI David Kirsch (Radiation Oncology), Associate Program Directors Joseph Lo
(Radiology) and Scott Floyd (Radiation Oncology), and departmental Residency Program Directors, the
program will support three Resident-Investigators in Radiation Oncology, Diagnostic Radiology and/or
Interventional Radiology per year, who will complete 12-24 months of mentored research. Institutional
support including resources from the Office of Physician Scientist Development, departmental salary support,
a research supplement funded by the School of Medicine, and preferences for a subspecialty fellowship or
research-intensive Instructor position at Duke supported by the Duke Cancer Institute will ensure that after
completing the program, these individuals will be poised to become the next generation of physicians to lead
research in Radiation Oncology and Radiology. Achieving the Program's objectives will fulfill urgent needs for:
1) more physician-scientis...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9871744
- **Project number:** 1R38CA245204-01
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** David Guy Kirsch
- **Activity code:** R38 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $355,808
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-02-05 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9871744

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9871744, Duke Radiation Oncology and Radiology Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (1R38CA245204-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9871744. Licensed CC0.

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