DCP Update: Developing the Molecular Cancer Prevention Workforce, HEAL Initiative NOFOs, Obesity and GI Cancer, and More

National Cancer Institute sent this bulletin at 06/13/2023 11:15 AM EDT

Division of Cancer Prevention Updates

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Request for Information (RFI): Strategies to Expand and Enhance Development of the Molecular Cancer Prevention and Cancer Interception Research Workforce: Comments Due June 30

2 scientific researchers working in a laboratory.

NCI DCP needs your feedback, comments, innovative ideas, and strategies to guide efforts in expanding and improving the development of the molecular cancer prevention and cancer interception research workforce. This includes education and training needs for both early-career (e.g., pre- and postdoctoral fellows, early-stage investigators) and mid-career scientists who are passionate about cancer prevention or may be seeking to enter the fields of molecular cancer prevention and cancer interception (including foundational/basic, translational, and clinical research), as well as specific research areas within these fields. NCI also seeks input on how to best support successful career transitions for molecular cancer prevention and cancer interception scientists to enable these scientists to become leaders in the broader cancer prevention research community, and across various career sectors (i.e., academia, industry, and government). Reply via web form by June 30.

Two NEW HEAL Initiative RFAs Released

HEAL Initiative Partnerships to Advance Interdisciplinary (PAIN) Training in Clinical Pain Research: The HEAL PAIN Cohort Program (T90/R90): Applications Due September 26

To bolster the dwindling clinical pain research workforce, the HEAL PAIN Cohort Program will support interdisciplinary postdoctoral training to promote the next generation of independent clinical pain researchers. The HEAL PAIN Cohort Program will fund up to four T90/R90 institutional postdoctoral training programs in clinical pain research and foster a cohort experience among programs at different institutions through the HEAL R24 Coordinating Center for National Pain Scientists.

HEAL Initiative: Discovery of Biomarkers and Biomarker Signatures to Facilitate Clinical Trials for Pain Therapeutics (UG3/UH3): Applications Due October 24

The purpose of this Notice of Funding Opportunity is to promote the discovery of candidate biomarkers or biomarker signatures for pain that can be used to facilitate the testing of non-opioid pain therapeutics in Phase II clinical trials. The biomarkers or biomarker signature will be developed through clinical research specifically focused on the identification of pain biomarkers or biosignatures that predict and/or monitor response to pain therapeutics.

For more information on these NOFOs, please contact Rachel Altshuler, Ph.D.

Research Highlights: Investigating Associations of Obesity with Colorectal and GI Cancers: Posted June 5

A 3D rendering of the human gastrointestinal tract.

An estimated 153,020 men and women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2023, and 52,550 are expected to die of this disease. In two recent studies, researchers addressed the impact of overweight, obesity, and body mass index (BMI) on colorectal and non-colorectal gastrointestinal (GI) cancers at different stages of adult life, as well as the association of BMI and different molecular subtypes in colorectal cancers.

Read the blog

Reminders

Cancer and Aging Webinar Series “Food as a Drug”: Webinar
June 15 at 1 p.m. ET

Co-sponsored by the National Cancer Institute and the National Institute on Aging: The topic for the June 15 webinar is “Food as a Drug.” Speakers are Lydia Lynch, Ph.D., Harvard Medical School, and Nicole Simone, M.D., Thomas Jefferson University.

Registration required

Diverse Aspects of Uterine Serous Cancer: Virtual Workshop
June 22-23

The workshop will have talks to set the stage and two scientific sessions focused on the basic and translational science related to serous endometrial cancer, followed by a breakout discussion session with the aim of finalizing the identified gaps in the field and potential research.

Registration is required by 5 p.m. ET on June 21, 2023

Early Career Scientist Opportunity: Nominations Due June 30

DCP is issuing a call for nominations to feature early career scientists conducting research within the mission of the Division. Individuals selected for this opportunity will be highlighted on the NCI DCP website and in social media led by the Division.

NOSI: Administrative Supplement to Support the NCI Cancer Prevention-Interception Targeted Agent Discovery Program (CAP-IT) Research: Expires July 7

Current NCI grant awardees or cooperative agreement program participants can collaborate with the NCI Cancer Prevention-Interception Targeted Agent Discovery Program (CAP-IT) Specialized Centers to support the CAP-IT Program research. Collaborations should be proposed by investigators who are not currently CAP-IT Center investigators and whose research scope, interests, and activities as specified in the parent awards are within the CAP-IT Program’s research objectives. All potential applicants are encouraged to contact one of the NCI Program Directors: Shizuko Sei, M.D., John Clifford, Ph.D., or Vignesh Gunasekharan, Ph.D.

NCI PREVENT Cancer Program - Seeking Innovative Ideas in Cancer Prevention & Interception: Applications Due July 10

The NCI PREVENT Cancer Preclinical Drug Development Program (PREVENT) is a peer-reviewed program that supports the preclinical development of innovative interventions and predictive biomarkers for cancer prevention and interception towards clinical applications in high-risk populations. All interested researchers with innovative ideas in precision cancer prevention are encouraged to apply.

Division of Cancer Prevention

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