Advancing novel cancer preventive and therapeutic strategies across the modern NCI clinical trial networks - PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Guided by my 16 years of experience and leadership in the NCI-sponsored clinical trial networks (NCI-CTNs),
this R50 Research Specialist award offers critical support that would allow me to fully engage in high-yield
activities across a spectrum of educational, leadership, and clinical trials-related research endeavors.
Fundamental to each proposed activity is a consistent focus on reducing health disparities by promoting
diversity in modern clinical trial development. I would continue to provide strong leadership in my roles as
member of the NCI-Cancer Prevention Steering Committee and Vice Chair of the NCI-Gastrointestinal Rectal-
Anal Task Force, inspiring the submission of novel concepts and rigorous, equitable review, enhancing the
diversity of the committee's membership panel, and patient diversity in our clinical trials. As Principal
Investigator (PI) for the race/ethnically diverse NCI-NCORP Phase III clinical trial S0820/PACES (Preventing
Adenomas of the Colon with Eflornithine and Sulindac), I am committed to completing all research activities
within the five-year period of this grant, yielding the highest quality data for meaningful interpretation of our
results. Given existing strong nationwide collaborations, this R50 grant will enable me to continue to engage in
novel minority recruitment strategies for NCI-network-based clinical trials as we build upon our prior
randomized trial evidence. I would leverage the protected time provided by this R50 grant to mentor a diverse
group of junior faculty and clinical fellows from various cancer-related disciplines at our institution (UC Irvine
Chao Family Comprehensive Center, UCI-CFCCC) on NCI-CTN research. Moreover, this R50 grant would
provide me the autonomy to advance into new leadership positions that become available over the next five
years locally (at UCI-CFCCC, where I currently serve as Vice Chair of the Data Safety Monitoring Board) and
nationally (within SWOG and the various NCI Steering Committees). Lastly, given UCI's historic strengths in
early phase cancer prevention clinical trials, this grant creates an exciting opportunity for our Cancer Center to
re-engage with the NCI-Division of Cancer Prevention Clinical Trial Network (CP-CTNet). As Site PI, I propose
to lead UCI as a CP-CTNet Affiliate Organization, expanding the access of our catchment area's diverse
population to early phase cancer prevention clinical trials.
