Cancer Aging and Metabolism research experience Program (CAMP) - SUMMARY The Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope (COH) is a world-class cancer research institution and cancer hospital with a mission of turning science into practical benefit through exquisite care, innovative research, and vital education focused on eliminating cancer and diabetes. Increases in cancer incidence and rising treatment costs highlight a need to advance cancer research through the growth of a diverse, well-trained workforce. We propose an institution-wide, 10-week research experience for undergraduates focused on cancer, aging, and metabolism, called the Cancer Aging and Metabolism research experience Program (CAMP). The CAMP R25 is committed to training future scientific leaders who have the skills to develop novel technologies and translate them into the clinic. CAMP will provide a focused, mentored research experience by matching undergraduate trainees (CAMPers) with mentor-researchers from three thematic areas: Cancer Aging, Cancer Metabolism, and Clinical Research. Each summer, CAMP will enable 20 CAMPers, selected via local and nationwide searches, to participate in research that spans the arc of cancer research, from basic to bedside. CAMPers will select from among 30 experienced COH Mentors who have a track record of mentoring students with diverse interests and backgrounds. Principles of responsible conduct of research and rigor and reproducibility will be taught by faculty. Hands-on laboratory research and auxiliary activities will be enhanced by journal clubs, distinguished speaker seminars, and weekly CAMPer research presentations, as well as an end-of-summer poster session. In addition, to address local community needs, and to bolster the pipeline for undergraduates to thrive as future cancer researchers, we will also pilot a school-year program in which five spots will be reserved yearly for motivated STEM students from a nearby, regional comprehensive public university: California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH), a minority-serving institution. Faculty from COH and CSUDH have collaborated to design this program to extend the summer CAMP experience into the academic year. The CAMP administrative structure includes highly qualified Directors and an Associate Director, Internal and External Advisory Committees, and Recruitment/Admission, Curriculum Development, and Assessment/Tracking Committees. This request for funding is justified by our long record of hosting successful and creative summer programs that include local students from disadvantaged groups, the relevance of our training experience to cancer research, the experience of our Mentors, the outstanding commitment of COH to training, an authentic partnership between regional institutions, and the presence of a specific gap in federal funding for undergraduates in the training continuum that spans elementary school to postgraduate education.
