Aims

To accomplish our objectives, this Cancer Partnership aims to:

  1. Increase the number of traditional, extramural awards on which MMC and TSU faculty serve as Lead PI’s along with collaborative guidance under senior Vanderbilt faculty
  2. Increase the number of extramural awards to VICC early-stage investigators that address cancer health disparities
  3. Increase the number of peer-reviewed, MVTCP publications on which a minority-serving institution investigator is first and/or corresponding author
  4. Increase the number of MVTCP faculty presenting seminars and strengthen the series to foster collaborations within the Partnerships. Reach the critical mass needed for a thriving program of cancer disparities research by recruiting new cancer investigators in Partnership priority fields, such as big data/bioinformatics, immuno-oncology, and dissemination and implementation-focused research
  5. Expand MVTCP accrual of minority cancer patients for participation in national oncology clinical trials through the newly established Population Research And Clinical Trials In Cancer Equity (PRACTICE) Shared Resource Core
  6. Strengthen the physical and intellectual infrastructure for research at MMC and TSU through resource-sharing with VICC
  7. Implement a robust outreach program that supports MVTCP studies of disparities by facilitating partnerships between community organizations and academic researchers, leading to hypothesis-driven research projects in areas that address the needs of the community
  8. Increase the number of MMC and TSU trainees engaged in cancer research
  9. Increase awareness of cancer research opportunities and careers for minority high school, undergraduate, graduate and medical students through the development and implementation of new Pathway to Discovery Program and coursework