Abstract LB-164: Transdisciplinary research in energetics and cancer (TREC) early career investigator training program: First year results
Authors: Irwin Melinda L. , Lowry Diana K. , Neuhouser Marian L. , Ligibel Jennifer , Schmitz Kathryn , Patterson Ruth E. , Colditz Graham , Li Fangyong , Nebeling Linda 
Published: August 2019

Purpose: Obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity increase the burden of cancer by increasing risk of incident cancer, mortality, and long term adverse treatment effects. It is critical that scientists receive training in conducting rigorous and impactful energy balance and cancer research. To address this need, we developed an annual one-week, in residence NCI-R25-funded Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Training Course for early career investigators in basic, clinical and population sciences. This analysis examined the impact of the TREC Training Program on course satisfaction, knowledge gained, publications and awards among TREC Year 1 program participants (i.e., TREC Fellows).

Methods: The TREC program consists of two components: an intensive, in-person, one-week Course, followed by a one-year TREC mentorship program. TREC Faculty are comprised of a TD team of ~20 international expert faculty members. TREC Faculty and Fellows completed surveys before and immediately after the course. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was used to determine course-related changes in knowledge and skills. At the end of the one-year mentorship period, a survey was sent inquiring about TREC-related research productivity and collaborations. Number of publications and grant-funding between June 2017 and December 2018 was compiled and summarized for the 20 TREC Fellows participating in the inaugural TREC course.

Results: Information about the program was shared with ~30 organizations, resulting in 77 applications for the inaugural course. Twenty TREC Fellows completed the program, including three basic, seven clinical, and 10 population scientists. Sixteen of the TREC fellows were junior faculty and four were postdoctoral fellows. The 5-day course included over 50 lectures, small-group breakouts and Faculty-Fellow sessions. Attendees rated the course as very high, with an average 96.7% of responses scoring in the top two categories of “good” or “very good”. Knowledge related to conducting energy balance and cancer research significantly improved in 37 out of 39 competencies (94.8%). Between the end of the TREC Year 1 program in June 2017 and December 2018, TREC Year 1 Fellows published 20 manuscripts, with 15 co-authored with other TREC Fellows and/or Faculty. Fifteen % of manuscripts were published in journals with an impact factor &gt; 10. A total of 19 grant applications were funded to TREC Fellows (i.e., five NIH awards, three ACS awards, three foundation awards, and eight internal pilot awards). Seven TREC Fellows were appointed or promoted in academic positions.

Conclusion: The overall impact of the TREC Program will be defined by the degree to which TREC Fellows produce innovative research approaches and discoveries that could improve the health of populations at risk for cancer as well as cancer survivors. Upon completion of the 5th year of the TREC Training Program in 2021, we will disseminate the TREC Training Program material for adoption by the broader research and clinical community.

Citation Format: Melinda L. Irwin, Diana K. Lowry, Marian L. Neuhouser, Jennifer Ligibel, Kathryn Schmitz, Ruth E. Patterson, Graham Colditz, Fangyong Li, Linda Nebeling. Transdisciplinary research in energetics and cancer (TREC) early career investigator training program: First year results [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-164.