# Cancer Immunology Training Grant

> **NIH NIH T32** · DANA-FARBER CANCER INST · 2020 · $505,667

## Abstract

Project Summary
This training program is designed to train the next generation of scientists in Cancer Immunology at the Dana-
Farber/Harvard Cancer Center, a Harvard-wide, NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Recent
clinical trials have demonstrated that cancer immunotherapy can induce durable responses in patients with
diverse types of advanced cancer. The discovery that targeting of a single inhibitory receptor on immune cells
can unleash durable anti-tumor immunity has far-reaching implications for oncology and raises many
fascinating questions about the biological mechanisms that regulate anti-tumor immunity. The resulting rapid
growth in the field of cancer immunology has created a significant need for scientists with in depth expertise at
the interface of immunology and tumor biology. To address this need, we have built a comprehensive program
supported by faculty who bring a wide spectrum of expertise in basic and translational cancer immunology. The
preceptors of this grant have made a series of important contributions to cancer immunology and
immunotherapy. We propose to appoint 2 predoctoral and 6 postdoctoral scientists per year. Our predoctoral
trainees will be selected from a pool of students who have enrolled in the Immunology and Basic Biomedical
Sciences Graduate Programs at Harvard Medical School. These students will be appointed after their second
year of study once they have chosen one of our mentors as their thesis advisor and committed to a research
topic in cancer immunology. The postdoctoral positions will be awarded to a select group of recent recipients of
PhD and MD/PhD degrees and support their training in cancer immunology. Laboratory training in cancer
immunology will be complemented by a didactic program that gives students the required background in
cancer immunology and prepares them for independent careers in academic research, biotechnology or a
broad range of other job opportunities. The program directors are highly committed to teaching and mentoring
and have the required expertise to lead this effort. The Postdoctoral and Graduate Student Affairs Offices at
Dana-Farber and Harvard Medical School provide a wide range of programs to all of our trainees designed to
enhance their training experience and address individual needs. Retreats organized by the Harvard
Immunology Program and the Department of Cancer Immunology and Virology at Dana-Farber will help to
create a sense of community and give our trainees the opportunity to learn from other trainees and faculty.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9989808
- **Project number:** 5T32CA207021-05
- **Recipient organization:** DANA-FARBER CANCER INST
- **Principal Investigator:** Kai W Wucherpfennig
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $505,667
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-07-13 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9989808

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9989808, Cancer Immunology Training Grant (5T32CA207021-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9989808. Licensed CC0.

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