Career Enhancement Program

ABSTRACT
The MSK SPORE in Leukemia is dedicated to supporting the ongoing development of talented researchers
who are pursuing independent translational research programs in leukemia. The Career Enhancement
Program (CEP) will provide research awards to support the scholarly development of 1) junior faculty from
basic or clinical research backgrounds pursuing research related to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of
leukemia; 2) new or established faculty in other subject areas who wish to attain additional training and
experience that will allow them to address areas of unmet need related to leukemia research; and 3) senior
postdoctoral fellows who will continue their research program in leukemia and who are within one year of a
faculty appointment. The SPORE PIs, Drs. Omar Abdel-Wahab and Martin Tallman, will oversee the program
and each brings considerable knowledge and expertise in basic, clinical, and translational science to CEP
activities. We will recruit up to two qualified investigators per year to receive CEP funding, with possibility of
renewal for a second year. Candidates may be suggested by members of the SPORE Executive Committee,
Project Leaders/Core Directors, the Internal Advisory Board, or at the recommendation of collaborating
individuals where appropriate. To encourage scientific and social diversity among our applicants, we will also
reach outside established research networks and issue a Research Funding Announcement (RFA) annually to
research departments across the Tri-institutional area (MSK, Weill Cornell Medical College, Rockefeller
University). We will consider candidates pursuing research including but not limited to cell biology,
computational biology, experimental therapeutics, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, hematology,
oncology, pathology, and medical informatics. Applicants will be evaluated on their research proposal as well
as a career development plan, written in coordination with a proposed mentor. Successful awardees will be
evaluated monthly on their research progress and career development milestones achieved. The CEP is
committed to supporting diversity among our leukemia research faculty and will work closely with the
institution's Office of Diversity Programs to promote the career advancement of women and underrepresented
racial and ethnic groups in our healthcare research community.

Grant Number: 5P50CA254838-05
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Omar Abdel-Wahab