# Carcinogenesis Training Program

> **NIH NIH T32** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $382,613

## Abstract

This proposal requests support for 9 pre-doctoral students in the Carcinogenesis Training Program at
Northwestern University, currently entering year 30. Its goal is to provide comprehensive, rigorous research
training in cancer biology and a focus for interdisciplinary interactions among students and faculty in the
Cancer Biology Cluster, one of nine intercampus “Research Clusters” in Northwestern University's Life and
Biomedical Sciences (NULABS) Programs. Dr. Kathleen Green serves as PI of this T32 and co-director of the
Cancer Biology Cluster, which will serve as the primary source of students for 27 preceptors. The highly
interactive preceptor group represents 15 departments/divisions (12 in Chicago and 3 in Evanston). The group
is supported by $32.1M in direct costs and brings training expertise in four cross-cutting areas that have been
re-defined to reflect recent conceptual and technical developments in cancer biology, in particular Cancer
Epigenetics through recruitment of faculty into a new Biochemistry Department. Focus areas are: 1) Cancer
Epigenetics and Nuclear Dynamics, 2) Membranes, Organelles and Metabolism, 3) Tumor Environment and
Metastasis and 4) Cancer and Physical Sciences. Students are typically appointed for a period of two years,
after completing two years of coursework including required introductory and advanced cancer biology
courses. Students are appointed on a competitive basis through rigorous evaluation and interview. 3-4 years of
thesis research are accompanied by T32-specific meetings comprising research-in-progress reports, career
development presentations, training in the responsible conduct of research, student-organized event planning
and additional enrichment activities. 111 students have completed the program since its inception, with 22
continuing in training. Over its 29-year duration, 81% of T32 graduates went into academic/industry research,
largely in the area of cancer biology. During the past 10 years, students who completed the program have
published on average four papers, and in the current training period 5 students are from underrepresented
minority groups. Going forward our goals are to: enhance didactic training with the introduction of innovative
Nanocourses that provide flexibility in introducing cutting edge concepts, interdisciplinary and translational
research; promote diversity recruitment and retention through the position of Diversity Director; enhance
outcomes by increasing the competitive criteria for selection and augmenting mentoring; improve program
evaluation through annual External Advisory Committee meetings and student Focus Groups; and ensure
active communication and participation among students and preceptors from both campuses. The
Carcinogenesis T32 has broad institutional support reflected by a commitment from The Graduate School and
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of an additional two positions per year. Continued support of
the Carcinogenesis T32 will be c...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9964679
- **Project number:** 5T32CA009560-34
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Kathleen Janee Green
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $382,613
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1986-08-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9964679

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9964679, Carcinogenesis Training Program (5T32CA009560-34). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9964679. Licensed CC0.

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