The University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) is the second-largest university in the United States with a majority Hispanic student population (84%) and plays a critical role in serving its large minority community. Hispanic cancer disparities are prominent in many types of cancers in this region. Despite the fact that Hispanics suffer from marked cancer disparities, there is little research focused on understanding and addressing these critical issues. UTEP is currently funded by the Border Biomedical Research Center (BBRC) and Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas-the Texas Regional Excellence in Cancer (CPRIT-TREC) with the goal to reduce Hispanic cancer disparities through promotin...

Read More

The University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) is the second-largest university in the United States with a majority Hispanic student population (84%) and plays a critical role in serving its large minority community. Hispanic cancer disparities are prominent in many types of cancers in this region. Despite the fact that Hispanics suffer from marked cancer disparities, there is little research focused on understanding and addressing these critical issues. UTEP is currently funded by the Border Biomedical Research Center (BBRC) and Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas-the Texas Regional Excellence in Cancer (CPRIT-TREC) with the goal to reduce Hispanic cancer disparities through promoting cancer research. To sustain these important pipelines and strengthen the existing expertise of the two programs, in this proposal, we propose to develop an Institutional Postdoctoral Training Program by recruiting outstanding postdoctoral fellows, especially those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, and train them into the next generation leaders in cancer research to address cancer disparities with the goal of achieving health equity, a priority of CPRIT. In this application, we outline a comprehensive recruitment plan, a holistic review of applicants, and a wide-ranging training plan with the support of an experienced training team that will provide comprehensive training in cancer research as well as professional development. Overall, after the successful completion of this prestigious TREC: PDTA program, trainees are expected to build a broad research competence required to assume leadership roles in cancer research. This valuable program will also be critical to the retention of outstanding postdoctoral fellows as faculty members and strengthen the cancer research infrastructure at UTEP that contribute significantly to the achievement of health equity.

Read Less