Project Summary/Abstract The rationale of this Paul Calabresi Award in Clinical Oncology Research (PCACOR) competitive renewal application is to continue to prepare highly qualified cancer clinical researchers, called Scholars, who will become independent leaders. These clinical research leaders will meet the ongoing need for highly trained academicians running pivotal cancer clinical trials and/or the critical clinical correlative studies that will inform ongoing translation from bench to bedside. Through this unique training program and the expertise of our mentors, the Scholars will succeed in learning to communicate and coordinate multidisciplinary teams of scientists and apply the ever-growing amount of scientific knowledge to personalize cancer treatment. Specific objectives are to: 1) Design a flexible Individual Development Program for each Scholar selected by the multidisciplinary Advisory Committee from applicants who may be oncology trained MDs, DOs, PhD clinicians with completed clinical training or PhD level basic scientists committed to an academic cancer career with heavy clinical focus; 2) Foster interdisciplinary training, communication and interaction through intentional team mentoring and regular Scholar-centered meetings, creating completed PCACOR Scholars successfully transitioned to independence; 3) Create a diverse cohort of highly trained clinical research leaders that will run novel, innovative multidisciplinary research agendas to move the translational of our current science to reduce the burden of cancer. Also, these highly trained thought leaders will become part of the ongoing mentorship cycle back to new trainees. The PCACOR design incorporates our exceptional faculty as strong mentors who will provide training and role models in the richly supported environment of the University of Colorado Cancer Center. Experienced Program Leaders are Virginia F. Borges, MD, MMSc, and Jill Slansky, PhD, both Professors with extensive relevant experience. The tailored Training Period lasts for two years, with the potential for a one- year extension and determined by the Advisory Council. The training period includes Core Requirements of a selection of Scholar-tailored didactic coursework, a Scholar designed major research project of at least one cancer clinical trial or ancillary study. The Training Period will focus on the specific individual training needs of each Scholar for which mastery of these needed skills through the mentored environment will ensure transition to independence. As an outcome metric, all Scholars submit an NIH or equivalent grant on completion of the training. The ultimate success is demonstrated by our record of accomplishment. Thirty early career faculty have trained as PCACOR Scholars. Seventeen Scholars are faculty members at University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; all of which have had multiple peer-reviewed publications and additional peer-reviewed funding from NIH, DOD, ACS and/or disease-based foundations. All have designed at least one cancer clinical trial, and several are institutional leaders and/or leading national cancer clinical trials. Our PCACOR successfully produces the translational cancer clinical researchers of now and the future.

Project Narrative The University of Colorado Paul Calabresi Award for Clinical Oncology Research trains the future leaders of cancer research in clinical trials and translational team science. This award focuses on creating diverse cohorts of clinician-scientists capable of using the advanced and emerging technologies to design clinical and ancillary trials that will improve outcomes and reduce toxicity for patients across the spectrum of diagnosis, treatment and survivorship.