# Multidisciplinary Approaches to Tumor Immunology

> **NIH NIH T32** · ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP · 2020 · $134,041

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The overarching goals of the Tumor Immunology Training Program (TITP) at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute
(RPCI) Graduate Division are to educate, train and prepare talented pre-doctoral students for a profession in
cancer immunology research. Driven by significant advances in understanding how the immune system can
be weaponized against cancer, future leaders in tumor immunology will not only be well-trained in the
discipline, but also will have a strong appreciation of the potential translational impact to human cancer biology
and therapy. The unique, cancer-focus within the TITP introduces trainees to an advanced didactic and
conceptual cancer immunology educational paradigm that encapsulates knowledge spanning the continuum of
basic science to clinical application. The uniqueness of this TITP is further enhanced by the integration of an
academic environment comprised of diverse faculty concentrated within a prestigious NCI-designated
Comprehensive Cancer Center. Trainees are exposed to a comprehensive portfolio of cancer-related topics
that will be enhanced through a new “umbrella” academic curriculum starting in the fall of 2018. It is during the
first year of study when trainees will select the tumor immunology-specific “track” and then conduct their
doctoral research with TITP faculty with expertise in basic, translational, or clinical sciences. The primary
mission of the training grant renewal is to support competitively selected students during their third and fourth
years of study. The funds requested cover stipends and tuition for 4 pre-doctoral students per year. This
funding is crucial to continue the upward trajectory experienced for nearly 15 years of NRSA support in the
quality and diversity of pre-doctoral trainees focused on complex and challenging immunologic questions in
cancer. NRSA-supported trainees are prepared for a competitive biomedical career through didactic lectures
and concept-driven learning in tumor immunology and biology, grant writing and ethical conduct of research.
After completing all formal course work, degree conferral is dependent upon passing the preliminary exam,
fulfilling a first-authored publication requirement, and passing the dissertation defense reflecting the novel and
original findings of the student's body-of-work. Trainees who complete this TITP will be well-versed in all major
facets of tumor immunology and will have the solid foundation upon which to build cancer-focused careers,
guided by a clear vision of its impact on human cancer biology and treatment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9995424
- **Project number:** 5T32CA085183-18
- **Recipient organization:** ROSWELL PARK CANCER INSTITUTE CORP
- **Principal Investigator:** Scott I. Abrams
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $134,041
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9995424

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9995424, Multidisciplinary Approaches to Tumor Immunology (5T32CA085183-18). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9995424. Licensed CC0.

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