Multidisciplinary Training in Gastrointestinal Cancers

PROJECT SUMMARY Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, which include malignancies of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, colorectum, small intestine, and liver, constitute the plurality of cancer deaths in the United States and worldwide. While substantial progress has been made in delineating underlying molecular mechanisms with translation to prevention, chemoprevention, early detection, prognosis, risk stratification, therapy, and survivorship, key gaps remain in the biological underpinnings of the pathogenesis of GI cancers. Furthermore, in all GI cancers there are disparities in treatment and outcomes that adversely impact under-represented populations, including African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans. Given the complexity of the distinct etiologic and therapeutic features of GI cancers, GI cancer research will remain a high priority for many years to come. Thus, there remains a pressing need to train the next generation of scientists to conduct GI cancer research in an innovative and productive manner. Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) and its NCI designated Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) has one of the largest groups of NIH/NCI funded investigators working in GI cancers (i.e. “critical mass” of mentors). Additionally, the training program's faculty mentors perform research across a spectrum of training disciplines, including basic science, translational research, clinical and epidemiological studies, as well as bioinformatics. Building on this, we have developed a rigorous postdoctoral training program with multiple unique features and strengths: 1) Focus on GI cancers. GI cancers are responsible for the plurality of cancer deaths in the United States and worldwide, yet programs aimed specifically at developing future investigators focused on GI cancers are lacking. 2) Breadth of training. In addition to basic and translational science as well as clinical-epidemiological research methods, our program includes training in bioinformatics that bridges basic/translational/clinical research, a unique aspect of NCI training programs. 3) Commitment to promoting diversity. We have established a unique, collaborative program with the University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine to recruit predoctoral students to our postdoctoral training program. In addition, we have developed extensive committed efforts, both specific to this program and leveraging existing programs at our institution, to enhance and promote diversity of future GI cancer researchers. The educational goal of the Program is to serve as the premier training site nationwide for emerging researchers in GI cancers. The program aims to advance our understanding of GI cancers, with the long-term goal of reducing the morbidity and mortality of these malignancies. Another important goal of our program is to increase the diversity of future scientists engaged in GI cancer research. To achieve these goals, we will identify and recruit a diverse pool of trainees, offer them a rigorous and individualized curriculum, and provide them with research experience working with one of our numerous expert and experienced faculty mentor investigators at Columbia University.