Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training Program
The TICaRT Program offers interdisciplinary team-based training in cancer research
Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training Program (TICaRT)
A new, team-based cancer research training program developed by UF Health Cancer Center faculty and staff has been awarded an NIH/NCI Ruth L. Kirschstein NRSA Institutional Research Training Grant.
Based on the premise that advances in fundamental understanding of cancer and its clinical management rarely occur in isolation, the Team-based Interdisciplinary Cancer Research Training Program (TICaRT) reflects a growing trend to bring together scientists with knowledge and perspectives from different disciplines.
“Our grant, one that is both novel and unique at the NIH, involves training across all UF Health colleges,” said program director Dietmar Siemann, Ph.D., the UF Health Cancer Center’s associate director for education and training.
What makes TICaRT unique?
- We are the only NCI-funded T32 program and the only cancer-focused T32 program at UF.
- Currently no NCI T32 programs nationally are devoted to team-based training.
- The TICaRT Program offers interdisciplinary team-based training in cancer research and the program accepts three pre- and three postdoctoral trainees from different colleges/departments and disciplines, working as teams.
- This team-based training approach provides opportunities for horizontal and virtual collaborations and near-peer mentoring.
TICaRT includes the components of a typical T32 training program, but creatively draws from UF’s diverse education and research resources to offer an exceptional interdisciplinary training experience. Integration of components from multiple departments, colleges, centers and institutes guarantees a broad range of professional and academic talent.
What TICaRT stands for
Objective: The objective of this T32 training program is to provide trainees from a broad range of disciplines the opportunity to develop interdisciplinary skills in cancer research and experience with transdisciplinary approaches.
Premise: Advances in the fundamental understanding of cancer and its clinical management rarely occur in isolation but typically represent team-based research endeavors.
Belief: Early exposure of trainees to interdisciplinary education and training, coupled with team-based learning, will better position these trainees for successful cancer research careers.
Our Trainees
Interdisciplinary training is accomplished by drawing students from nine Ph.D. programs and nine colleges across the biomedical spectrum.
Teams are comprised of Ph.D. or dual-degree students and/or postdoctoral trainees, and could include residents or clinical fellows. Trainees must commit a minimum of 12 months to the training program and each trainee will be supported for up to two years, pending satisfactory progress.
Cancer-focused Trainee Teams
The TICaRT Program concept of team-based cancer research is largely modeled on the highly-successful CTSI TL1 Predoctoral Training Program. The TICaRT Program builds on this model by providing an innovative team science program for Ph.D., dual-degree investigators, and post-doctoral trainees in cancer research to gain both disciplinary expertise and an authentic interdisciplinary team science experience. This team approach will not only provide opportunities for Ph.D. students to collaborate, but also for post-doctoral trainees to collaborate with Ph.D. students. We are uniquely positioned to offer this novel team training model to produce investigators across a spectrum of cancer-related professions experienced in interdisciplinary team science research.
Curriculum
The program curriculum is designed to provide trainees with the foundation needed for a productive career in interdisciplinary cancer research. To achieve this, we have designed a rigorous training program which offers trainees exposure to and interaction with trainees and faculty of diverse science backgrounds; access to accomplished primary faculty mentors and co-mentors; research training with continual feedback and quality control through regular review of each individual’s progress; a solid foundation in research methodology and effective oral and written communication; leadership training; and the mentored experience needed to pursue independent research.
How to Apply
We are currently accepting team applications. The application deadline is May 31.
Applicants will be notified at the beginning of July and the trainee teams will join the TICaRT Program on Aug. 16.
Trainee Eligibility
Trainees must be U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents. Candidates must demonstrate a strong interest in interdisciplinary approaches to cancer research in one of our thematic research focus areas.
Encouraging Diversity
Our training programs are committed to enhancing the diversity of scientists in cancer research. Trainees from diverse backgrounds (including individuals from racial and ethnic groups that are shown to be underrepresented in health-related sciences, those with disabilities, or from socially/economically disadvantaged backgrounds) are strongly encouraged to apply.
Team Formation
Teams are comprised of two Ph.D. trainees (modeling the format of the CTSI’s TL1 Program) or, as a novel extension of the CTSI TL1 model, as a team of two post-doctoral trainees or as a near-peer mentoring team comprised of a graduate student and a post-doctoral fellow. In all cases, the team must consist of trainees from two different colleges, departments or disciplines and team mentors must have cancer-focused R01 (or equivalent) funding.
Trainee Support
Trainees will receive appointments for a period of two years, with approval for the second year of funding based on productivity and meeting performance milestones.
To learn more about this cancer research training opportunity, please visit our website.
