Diversity Training and Biomedical Workforce Development Branch (DTBWDB)
Expanding and extending the capacity for cancer research by engaging a diverse pool of talented learners in cancer research and supporting their pursuit of a career in cancer research is crucial for improving cancer health equity. NCI is committed to training and developing a strong and diverse workforce of cancer researchers. DTBWDB supports and administers programs and initiatives to develop a diverse pool of cancer researchers. These include fellowships, research career development awards, and cancer education grants for students and scientists at all career levels. The Center for Cancer Health Equity (CCHE) Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program offers unique training and career development opportunities to enhance and increase diversity in the cancer and cancer disparities research workforce. The CURE program supports promising candidates from middle school through junior investigator levels and provides them with a continuum of competitive funding opportunities. CURE’s holistic approach also includes enhanced career development opportunities through professional development workshops, grant mock reviews, and training navigation to assist trainees with their next step.
Priorities
- Support and develop programs and initiatives aimed at cultivating a diverse cancer workforce, ensuring researchers possess the relevant skills, knowledge, and resources needed to succeed in cancer research.
- Extend and expand the period of training, providing professional development guidance and mentoring to create a sustainable pathway toward research independence.
- Emphasize strategic and scientific areas of greatest need (e.g., cancer health disparities research, a broad range of data science areas, multicancer vaccines, interdisciplinary cancer research, etc.) in basic, behavioral, clinical, and translational cancer research to advance the next generation of competitive multidisciplinary cancer researchers from groups underrepresented in cancer research.
- Promote and enhance early-intervention strategies to engage, inspire, and support a talented and diverse pool of students at the earliest levels of schooling, helping them envision biomedical research as a career path.
Programs
- Diversity and Re-Entry Supplements (DS) Research Supplements to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (DS)
- Individual Predoctoral Fellowship to Promote Diversity in Health-Related Research (F31-Diversity)‒The Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA)
- Career Development Awards to Promote Diversity (K01, K08, and K22)
- Exploratory Grant Award to Promote Workforce Diversity in Basic Cancer Research (R21)
- Youth Enjoy Science (YES) R25 Institutional Award
- Early Investigator Advancement Program (EIAP)
- Cancer Moonshot Scholars
- Professional Advancement Virtual Engagement Series (PAVES)
Staff
- Dr. Behrous Davani, Branch Director
- Dan Eckstein, Program Director (C)
- Dr. Chantel Fuqua, Program Director
- Dr. Sangeeta Ghosh, Program Director
- Rita LaPointe, Program Analyst
- Dr. Jason Liu, Program Director
- JoBeth McCarthy, Program Director (C)
- Dr. Laritza M. Rodriguez, Program Director
- Fulera Salami, Health Specialist
- Dr. Shahrooz Vahedi, Program Director