# Training Program in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics

> **NIH NIH T32** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $386,395

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
The Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center proposes to renew its T32 Training Program in
Cancer Biology and Therapeutics, supporting mentorship of seven physician scientists (MDs and MD/PhDs)
for careers in cancer research. With a 20-year history, the program has enrolled multi-disciplinary trainees who
have completed clinical fellowships in medical, surgical, pediatric, or radiation oncology, and supported their
training in laboratory-based or clinical cancer research. The program aims to prepare the next generation of
physician scientists for academic careers in oncology, strengthening fundamental research in cancer biology
and its translation into clinical therapeutics. Program co-Directors are Dr. Daniel Haber, an accomplished
laboratory-based cancer genetics investigator and Dr. Alice Shaw, a leading clinical researcher in thoracic
oncology. They will oversee all administrative aspects of the program, with Dr. Haber overseeing the mentoring
of lab-based trainees and Dr. Shaw overseeing the mentoring of clinical research trainees. An Internal Advisory
Committee (IAC) will participate in the competitive selection of trainees and in the selection of faculty for the
roster of mentors; an External Advisory Committee (EAC) will convene annually to evaluate the strategic direction
and success of the program. Mentors are drawn from multiple disciplines and departments, primarily from MGH,
and including selected faculty from neighboring MIT and other Harvard institutions. Special emphasis has now
been placed on recruiting new mentors in the emerging field of cancer immunology. Trainees are selected across
multiple clinical oncology specialities, from programs that are among the most competitive in their respective
fields, with a commitment to enhancing diversity. In addition to facilitating the selection of an appropriate research
mentor, the T32 program provides both mandatory and optional courses, as well as a broad range of educational
experiences. The formal educational offerings have been strengthened with required didactic courses in
biostatistics/computational biology and in the ethical conduct of research, along with specialized optional
courses. Trainees will now present their work at an annual retreat. PDs and the IAC will be involved in the
evaluation of their progress. Success is measured by trainees' academic productivity during and after their T32
support, as well as by their self-reported learning experience. In summary, the MGH T32 Training Program in
Cancer Biology and Therapeutics has a long track record of success in providing a rigorous and comprehensive
scientific foundation to outstanding physician investigator trainees who aim to establish successful academic
research careers in oncology. The program's strength in multi-disciplinary training and integrated laboratory and
clinical investigation has been further improved with an enhanced focus and dedicated educational resources,
as recommended by the reviewe...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9996537
- **Project number:** 5T32CA071345-23
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Daniel A. Haber
- **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $386,395
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1997-08-01 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9996537

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9996537, Training Program in Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (5T32CA071345-23). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9996537. Licensed CC0.

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