UCSF Paul Calabresi K12 Career Development Program in Clinical Oncology

Project Summary/Abstract
The goal of the UCSF Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology is to foster the
development of the next generation of clinical scientists to be effective partners with discovery scientists and
conduct high impact and innovative patient-centered cancer research. The Program will be housed in the
UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC), bringing to bear the exceptional
research, clinical, and training environment of one of the world’s leading health sciences institutes. This
multidisciplinary training program will leverage strengths in basic cancer research, experimental therapeutics,
and clinical research methodology. Two experienced physician-scientists (one clinical researcher and one
laboratory-based scientist) will direct the Program. An accomplished group of faculty will bring expertise in
cancer-related clinical and translational research, imaging, patient-reported outcomes, biomarkers, healthcare
disparities, community engagement, and biostatistics. Building on recent research and technology
advancements and key areas for training identified in our HDFCCC strategic review, the two-year Program
(which incorporates mentored research, career development guidance, and a core curriculum) is designed to
facilitate completion of the year-long Advanced Training in Clinic Research certificate program in Year 1
(epidemiologic and biostatistical methods). Year 2 will focus on mentored research, professional skills, and
achieving independence. An Advisory Committee (15 UCSF faculty, 6 external advisors) will work with the
program directors to select up to four K12 Scholars, monitor Scholar progress, and identify opportunities for
program improvement. Eligible candidates (within five years of training) will be selected from a diverse pool of
UCSF faculty and well-established postdoctoral training programs in medical oncology, pediatric malignancies,
neuro-oncology, radiation oncology, and surgical oncology. Each Scholar will work with at least one clinically
focused and one laboratory-based mentor on their career development committee to design an individual
career development plan outlining goals and tailored didactic and hands-on training experiences (including
short clinical and laboratory rotations, grant-writing workshops, etc.) that will ensure competency across four
core areas: (1) Clinical research methods; (2) Principles of translational cancer research and drug
development; (3) Academic success skills and (4) Responsible conduct of research. New K12 program
activities, including a 5-day bootcamp (Clinically Driven Discovery Science in Cancer: From the Bench to the
Bedside), a seminar series (From Concept to Completion: Strategies for Successful Cancer Clinical Trials),
and embedded patient-oriented cancer research experiences (e.g. scientific protocol review, presenting to the
Community Advisory Board) will benefit Scholars who are directly supported by K12 funding and other UCSF
faculty and trainees with an interest in clinical-translational cancer research. Upon graduation, scholars will
have the tools to lead independent, rigorous, and impactful patient-centered clinical research programs.

Grant Number: 5K12CA260225-05
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: EMILY BERGSLAND