Abstract B32: Training the next generation of Hispanic cancer researchers: The UPR/UT MDACC program
Authors: Ríos Ilka C. , Travis Elizabeth 
Published: December 2010

The University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus (UPR-MSC) has established a strong training program in cancer. It has been implemented through a project funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the National Institute of Health (NIH), within the scope of an administrative U54 grant (CA096297). The training program is grounded on a solid collaborative relation between the UPR-MSC and University of Texas (UT) M. D. Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC), at Houston. The main goal of the program is to increase the number of Hispanic students knowledgeable and committed to careers in cancer research and cancer medicine. The specific objectives are to prepare Hispanic students to pursue careers in cancer research, cancer medicine, and population sciences and to establish a career development program for clinical and basic scientist faculty at the UPR Cancer Center (UPRCC). An educational pipeline comprises a series of didactic and research experiences, and enrichment activities. Various competitive research programs are available in UPR and MDACC, all sponsored by the U54 training program. In the UPR there is a research assistantships stipends program for undergraduate and graduate students. Students have the opportunity of working in cancer research projects under the guidance of faculty in mid to junior stages of their academic careers. The opportunities in MDACC include a summer research program for undergraduate, medical and other trainees within the health professions field. Clinical or biomedical cancer research 2-3 month rotations for senior medical students and residents are also sponsored. Call for applications submissions are advertised through the UPR and MDACC web pages and e-mail. Students from any of 11 UPR campuses can participate, including those from smaller colleges located in the center of the Island. The pipeline also features a core course in cancer biology and a combined M.D./Ph.D. program, with emphasis on patient-based and translational research. The M.D./Ph.D. program main objective is to develop a cadre of outstanding Hispanic physician-scientists who will lead the oncology research, prevention and treatment in Puerto Rico and other Hispanic communities. The students earn the M.D. degree from the UPR-MSC, School of Medicine, and the Ph.D. degree from the UT Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at Houston. They formally start the Ph.D. curriculum after having completed the third year of medical school. This curricular sequence allows the students to acquire a strong basis on clinical medicine prior to starting the Ph.D. thesis’ research project. The educational experiences that comprise the pipeline are complemented and supported by a structured mentoring program for students and junior investigators. The trainees are tracked and evaluated yearly in order to assess their development within a career in cancer. The training program has impacted over 70 trainees during the course of eight (8) years. In summary, this training program has offered the opportunity to the UPR for institutional growth, which is evidenced by the establishment of seven (7) inter-institutional agreements between UPR and UT, new combined programs curricular sequences, summer programs, on-campus sponsored research experiences, faculty development and scientific collaboration among faculty and trainees.

Citation Information: Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2010;19(10 Suppl):B32.