Paul Calabresi Clinical Scholars Award

University of Colorado Cancer Center K12 Training Grant

Calabresi Award Application

Full Program Description

The purpose of this program is to prepare highly qualified clinical therapeutic researchers called Paul Calabresi Clinical Oncology Research Scholars (Scholars) who are capable of :

1. Communicating and coordinating clinical research activities in teams of clinical and basic/behavioral research scientists to expedite translation of scientific findings into human-oriented research;
2. Performing independent clinical research that develops and tests rational hypotheses based on fundamental and clinical research
   findings in order to improve the medical care of cancer patients or prevent development of cancer in populations at risk;
3. Managing all phases of clinical trials research including designing and implementation of innovative translational clinical protocols.

The specific objectives are to:

1. Provide a flexible career development program for medical doctors, Ph.D. nurses, and PharmDs who have completed their clinical training and who are committed to a translational clinical cancer research career in an academic setting, as well as basic research scientists committed to patient-oriented cancer research;
2. Foster interdisciplinary training, communication and interaction through multiple mentoring of program scholars;
3. Create an opportunity of ongoing mentorship to support these junior faculty scholars after their formal career development program ends to ensure their successful transition to clinical research independence.

Required Core Activities for Clinician and Basic Scientist Scholars Indicating Expected Time of Completion

Required Core Activities	Basic Scholar	Clinical Scholar
Literature review in area of interest	Yr 01	Yr 01
Responsible conduct of research	All	All
Clinical experience in discipline	All	All
Clinical trials participation	All	All
Basic research experience	All	6+ months
COMIRB membership, training and participation	Yr 01-02	Yr 01-02
UCCC Protocol Review and Monitoring Committee (PRMC) participation	Yr 01-02	Yr 01-02
Required core courses	Yr 01-02	Yr 01-02
Presentation of written plan to Advisory Committee and how it will be achieved by 3 months after program initiation, including timetable and milestones	Yr 01	Yr 01
Elective courses	Yr 01/all	Yr 01/all
Research project and presentation of results	Yr 01/all	Yr 01 all
Clinical trial concept, design, implementation, analysis, reporting	Partner with clinician	Yr 01/all
NIH style grant submission	End of yr 02 or 03	End of yr 02 or 03
Scholars Conference	All	All
Training of students/residents/fellows	Throughout	Throughout
Independence	> Yr 02	> Yr 02

Sample Milestones for Training Program of a Paul Calabresi Scholar (first two years)

Year 1

1 month:

Complete the selection of the mentor committee

1-3 months:

• Define components of the individual training program
• Develop a proposed time table

3-6 months:

• Define a research project and submit a brief research proposal

1-12 months:

• PRMC Participation
• Prepare Literature Review
• Basic research experience for clinician (at least 6 months)
• Clinical research experience for basic scientist and clinician Scholars
• Scholar symposium Presentation
• Abstract submission/Presentation
• Seed grant application
• Core didactic coursework (Ethics, Trial Design, Biostatistics)

Year 2

1 month:

• Refine proposed time table with AC and Mentor Committee input

1-12 month:

• Core didactic coursework (Statistics, Grant Writing, electives)
• Basic research experience for clinician, continued, if appropriate
• Clinical research experience
• COMIRB participation
• Design and initiate a clinical oncology study with translational component
• Abstract submission/Presentation
• Manuscript Submission
• Symposium Presentation
• Grant Submission

What the award provides:

• 2-5 years of mentored support
• Up to $75,000 salary plus fringe benefits per annum
• $30,000 per annum research and educational costs
• Structured mentoring and defined training program with a primary mentor in the Scholar’s discipline and two or more additional mentors
• Scheduled formal evaluation of progress and feedback from Advisory Committee
• Further detailed description

Eligible applicants:

• MD, PhD, PharmD junior faculty or senior fellow
• Dedicated to career in clinical translational cancer research
• US citizen, national, or permanent resident
• Completion of clinical training in residency or clinical fellowship or completion of at least two years of postdoctoral training (for basic science candidates)

Application Requirements:

1. Face page (inside Paul Calabresi Application)
2. Curriculum vitae including training history, awards, bibliography,presentations, clinical trials
3. A detailed personal statement (maximum two pages) demonstrating a commitment to a career in clinical oncology research, personal strengths that will insure success, a discussion of the steps needed to successfully pursue this career, examples of projects and/or the applicant's area of interest, a statement of why the individual should be chosen for the program
4. Previous Research Experience checklist (inside Paul Calabresi Application)
5. Three letters of reference sent directly to the Program leader, including a letter of commitment from the applicant’s Chair or Division Head