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Upcoming Events

Belonging, Equity and Empowerment (BEE) Scene

Accepting Nominations! Learning about each other cultivates an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute and succeed. Nominate a colleague for a spotlight showcasing their unique stories beyond their roles at the CFCCC. Faculty, staff, and self-nominations are encouraged.

Announcements

NEW! 2025 UCI NIH Boot Camp Applications Now Open

We are pleased to announce a call for applications to the 2025 UCI NIH Boot Camp. This premier program is open to faculty across all schools and appointment types, and career researchers. This will be the 9th year of the program, which allows our PIs the best opportunity for success in their first NIH grant applications. NIH Boot Camp details & application information can be found at the 2025 UCI NIH Boot Camp website.

The application deadline is Tuesday, February 18th , 2025.

We encourage participants interested in coaching a NIH Boot Camp team to email us at somrd@hs.uci.edu. Questions can be directed to the School of Medicine Research Development Unit (RDU) at somrd@hs.uci.edu.

NEW! Cultivating Undergraduate Research Excellence in Cancer (CURE-Cancer)

The Cancer Research Training and Education (CRTEC) team is now accepting applications for Cultivating Undergraduate Research Excellence in Cancer (CURE-Cancer). This year-long program (June 2025 - May 2026) equips undergraduate students across Orange County with critical research skills and professional development to succeed in cancer research areas.

The program begins with a paid 10-week mentored research experience (in basic, clinical, or population sciences) during the summer (June 16 - August 22, 2025), followed by ongoing mentorship support and activities throughout the academic year.

Apply Here >>

Applications due: March 17, 2025

Virtual Information Sessions

February 12, 2025

12pm-1pm

Register for Feb 12

February 24, 2025

12pm-1pm

Register for Feb 24

NEW! School of Medicine establishes the Center on RNA Science and Therapeutics (CRST)

The Center on RNA Science and Therapeutics (CRST) will focus on enhancing RNA research collaborations, developing innovative technology and facilitating the translation of basic RNA research into therapies. Visit the CRST at https://www.rna.uci.edu/

The center is led by Yongsheng Shi, PhD, professor and Chancellor's Fellow in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics.

Read the recent SOM announcement >>

Call for Nominations: 2025 UCI School of Medicine Research Awards

The School of Medicine Office of Research is pleased to announce our 2025 call for nominations for our fifth annual research awards to recognize research excellence and outstanding academic achievement in the UCI School of Medicine. Each awardee will receive a monetary award and an individual plaque of recognition, and their names will be added to an enduring plaque on display in Irvine Hall.

This year, we are happy to announce a new annual research award category. The new award category will recognize faculty for excellence in mentoring research trainees. There will be two awards: one for faculty in basic science research and one for faculty in clinical/translational research. In honor of our late colleague Gina Lee, PhD, we have named the award for faculty excellence in mentoring basic science research trainees “The Gina Lee Award for Excellence in Mentoring Basic Science Research Trainees.” Click here for more information.

Submit your nominations to Emily Dawidoff, edawidof@hs.uci.edu.

Deadline for Nominations: Monday, March 24, 2025

Call for Nominations: 2025 UCI School of Medicine Faculty Mentoring Awards

The Office of Academic Affairs is pleased to announce the 2025 call for nominations for our fifth annual faculty mentoring awards to recognize excellence and innovation in mentoring at UCI School of Medicine — specifically in the domain of faculty mentoring other faculty (not students). Each awardee will receive $1,500 and a plaque. Winners’ names will be added to enduring plaques displayed in Irvine Hall.

Department chair and/or mentee nominations for each award category are due by Monday, March 24, to Associate Dean Brian Cummings, cummings@hs.uci.edu, and Sophie Wong, snwong1@hs.uci.edu. Click here for more information. 

Deadline for Nominations: Monday, March 24, 2025

Considering applying for an NIH S10 award?

The NIH S10 Instrumentation Grant Program supports the purchase of state-of-the-art commercially available instruments to enhance the research of NIH-funded investigators. S10 proposals are complex and require the collaboration of numerous researchers and institutional support. All S10 proposals are due June 2, 2025. 

The School of Medicine Office of Research requires School of Medicine PI(s) to notify the Research Development Unit (RDU) of their intent to submit an S10 proposal by March 3, 2025. This is to ensure coordinated institutional support and that the RDU can provide optimal support to all PIs. Please email the RDU to alert us of your plans to apply.

Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)

The Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA)* for Early-Stage Investigator Physicians is now accepting applications for its fifth cohort of scholars. Please visit the website for more details on eligibility and the program. 

*Formerly known as the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award.

Register for an upcoming informational webinar to learn more about the Winn CDA:

• Thursday, March 13, 8 a.m. PT | Register

Bringing Biology to the Patient: A Collaborative Faculty Retreat

You’re invited to attend Bringing Biology to the Patient: A Collaborative Faculty Retreat with the UCI School of Medicine and the UCI Charlie Dunlop School of Biological Sciences. All event details, including the agenda, can be found on the Faculty Research Retreat website.  

Thursday, Feb.13, 2025, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m

Location: Beall Applied Innovation

Register Here >>

Trainee Membership & Travel Awards

Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) is excited to introduce Trainee Membership - a trainee community for those involved in oncology-focused clinical training or cancer research (basic, population science, and clinical). 

Please encourage your trainees to complete the application to unlock benefits that enhance their education and training, including eligibility for Travel Awards. Travel Awards application deadlines: 

•January 21: For conferences between February 1 and April 30

•April 1: For conferences between May 1 and July 31

•July 1: For conferences between August 1 and October 31

•October 1: For conferences between November 1 and January 31

*Only one trainee per CFCCC member per conference may receive an award; a Letter of Support must be included in the application. 

Questions? Contact cfcccadmin@hs.uci.edu.

Learn More >>

Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) - Now Accepting Applications

CRTEC is accepting applications for the OSI, a comprehensive 4-week program that offers first-year UCI medical students an immersive exploration of oncology-related specialities through clinical shadowing, networking, mentorship, and more. 

Questions? Contact Kimberly Castellanos, Program Coordinator, Training & Education

Learn More >>

UCI Health Clinical Research Website Launch

We're excited to announce the launch of the new UCI Clinical Research website! This platform marks a significant step forward in advancing medical knowledge and providing valuable resources to patients, researchers, healthcare professionals and sponsors.

Visit the website at clinicalresearch.ucihealth.org

Experimental Tissue Shared Resource (ETR) Offers Custom Tissue Microarray and Brightfield Whole Slides Scanning

The ETR is excited to discuss your project’s study design and tissue needs. We can now create custom tissue microarrays (TMA) with tissue you provide or human tissue remnants and scan whole histology slides at 40X. Selection of optimal representative tissue regions can be performed by our pathologist. 

We can provide histology support for special transcriptomics platforms supported by GTH Share Resource

Questions? Contact Delia Tifrea, ETR Core Manager, 714-872-1093

Biobehavioral Shared Resource (BBSR) Consultation & Comprehensive Project Request

The BBSR is excited to discuss your project’s study design and needs, as well as see how our new menu of services can best support your project goals.

During our “Consultation Meeting” we’ll learn more about your project and how the BBSR can support your team. Ready to schedule? Complete the "Consultation Request" on iLab.

Questions? Contact Jose Lechuga, BBSR Core Manager

Biostatistics Shared Resource (BSR) - In-person Walk-in or Zoom Consultations Available

Informal statistical in-person walk-in or via Zoom consultations are available to discuss your study design and statistical needs. 

With Wen-pin Chen, MS, Senior Statistician & Manager for BSR:

• Every Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday from 2:00 - 4:00 PM | Book your meeting here
• Location: 200 S Manchester Ave, Orange, CA 92868, Suite 400, Room 433 OR Zoom

New Staff & Promotions

None to report at this time :(

Funding Opportunities

For a curated list of internal, federal and foundation funding opportunities, please refer to CFCCC's Funding Opportunities webpage. Highlighted funding opportunities are listed below.

UCI & UC FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

NEW! UCI Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Pilot Projects supported by the Anti-Cancer Challenge 

The CFCCC is accepting proposals in the following categories:

• Early-Stage Investigator Award ($20,000)
• Standard Award (Up To $50,000)
• Underrepresented Investigator Award ($40,000)
• Re-entry After Family Care Award ($40,000)
• Multi-PI (Team Science) Award ($60,000)

Deadline: February 21, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

NEW! Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute (SSIHI) Pilot Studies Program

Eligible Projects: Integrative health research projects currently not funded and aimed at obtaining preliminary results for a full application for extramural funds will be given priority. Emphasis will be placed on innovation and transformative potential of submitted proposals. The content of proposals, while linked to applicants’ current research, should demonstrate a clear evolution towards novel, relevant, and untested research areas. An integrative health research project is defined as any project aimed at gathering evidence related to integrative approaches or therapies.

Integrative approaches can be multimodal and address lifestyle related interventions (e.g., nutrition, etc.) and behaviors. Integrative therapies, as defined by NIH, include use of natural products (e.g., botanicals, dietary supplements, and probiotics); mind/body approaches and mind/brain-focused practices (e.g., meditation, hypnosis); body-based approaches (e.g., acupuncture, massage); meditative exercise (e.g., yoga, tai chi); and art and music therapies. In addition to integrative health research studies, these awards are also open to proposals that pilot new methodologies to assess a multimodal approach to integrative or whole person care.

Owing to the short timeframe of the awards, no projects requiring an IND or an IDE will be considered for funding.

Eligibility: Principal Investigators (PIs) must be full-time UCI faculty from any school or discipline. Junior and mid-career faculty, as well as established investigators, pursuing novel research lines are encouraged to apply. Investigators must be eligible to be a Principal Investigator (PI) on a UCI IRB-approved protocol, as defined by the UCI Office of Research (Lead researchers with sponsor PIs will not be accepted). For more information on eligibility, please refer to this site.  Learn More about Eligibility >>

Deadline: May 1, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

School of Medicine New Investigator Faculty Research Grant

The School of Medicine Research Committee is pleased to announce the School of Medicine New Investigator Faculty Research Grant competition. It is the policy of the Committee to support seed research projects from new investigators that have a high probability of obtaining extramural funding as a result of this award. To qualify, the applicant must have the NIH “Early Stage Investigator” status and not yet competed successfully as a PI to receive substantial independent NIH funding. Please submit inquiries to somrd@hs.uci.edu.

Deadline: March 6, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

UCI CFCCC: A1 Bridge

Up to $20k in bridge funding to investigators who have received scores on NIH grant applications (i.e., not triaged) that have missed the funding pay line and will be resubmitted.

Applications: Due on a rolling basis

Learn More and Apply >>

FOUNDATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

NEW! 2026 Breast Cancer Alliance: Exceptional Project Grant

Breast Cancer Alliance invites clinical doctors and research scientists at any stage of their careers, including post docs, whose current proposal is focused on breast cancer, to apply for an Exceptional Project Grant. This award recognizes creative, unique and innovative research and is open to applicants at institutions throughout the contiguous United States. This is a one-year grant for a total of $100,000. The grant provides salary support and project costs. Indirect costs, which are included in the $100,000 award, must be limited to 8% of total direct costs.

Applications: March 7, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

NEW! 2026 Breast Cancer Alliance: Young Investigator Grant

Breast Cancer Alliance invites clinical doctors and research scientists who are in the early stages of their careers, including post docs, whose current proposal is focused on breast cancer, to apply for funding for the Young Investigator Grant. This grant is intended to help advance the careers of young researchers who do not yet have their own major grant support, but who design and conduct their own independent research projects. The term of the Young Investigator Grant is two years, beginning on March 1, 2026. The grant provides salary support and project costs for a total of a $125,000, distributed over a two-year period. Indirect costs, which are included in the $125,000 award, must be limited to 8% of total direct costs.

Applications: March 7, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

NEW!  2026-2027 Tina's Wish Team Science Grant 

The Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation (“Tina’s Wish”) is requesting Letters of Intent (LOI) for the Tina’s Wish Team Science awards for 2026-27. Tina’s Wish awards grants to researchers proposing new ideas and concepts specifically for the early detection or interception of ovarian cancer. The 2026-27 Team Science Grants are now funded at $250,000/year for two (2) years, total grant award: $500,000.

Letter of Intent: March 31, 2025

Applications: June 30, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

NEW! 2026-2027 Tina's Wish Rising Star Grant

The Honorable Tina Brozman Foundation (“Tina’s Wish”) is requesting Proposals for the Tina’s Wish Rising Star Grants for 2026-27. Tina’s Wish is committed to supporting early career researchers who bring fresh approaches to the study of the early detection or interception of ovarian cancer. The goal is to assist and support promising researchers in the ovarian cancer field and to encourage them to take risks and develop innovative projects. The 2026-27 Rising Star Grants are now funded at $100,000/year for two (2) years, total grant award: $200,000.

Applications: June 2, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research: Early Detection Award. Solving the Early Detection and Early-Stage Diagnosis of Recalcitrant Cancers.

The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the Lustgarten Foundation, and The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research announce this Request for Proposals for projects focused on accelerating the development of effective new approaches to the early detection of cancer.

Letter of Intent: March 10, 2025

Applications: June 17, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

California Breast Cancer Research Program: Californians Linking Action With Science For Prevention Of Breast Cancer (CLASP-BC): Phase 2 Full Awards 

Purpose: To advance the primary prevention of breast cancer by developing, disseminating, implementing, and evaluating high-impact population-based primary prevention interventions.

Proposals due: March 6, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

St. Baldrick's Foundation Summer Fellow Awards

Focus area: undergraduate, graduate, and medical school students who will work in a pediatric oncology research setting for a summer.

$5k / 8-10 weeks in the summer

Proposals due: February 20, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

NCI Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00 – Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: To facilitate a timely transition of talented postdoctoral researchers with a research and/or clinical doctorate degree from mentored, postdoctoral research positions to independent, tenure-track or equivalent faculty positions. The program will provide independent NIH research support during this transition in order to help awardees to launch competitive, independent research careers.

Deadline: February 13, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

Secondary Analysis and Integration of Existing Data to Elucidate Cancer Risk and Related Outcomes (R21 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)

Purpose: To conduct secondary data analysis and integration of existing datasets and database resources, with the ultimate aim to elucidate cancer risk and related outcomes (e.g., risk prediction or reduction, survival, or response to treatment, etc.). The goal of this initiative is to address key scientific questions relevant to cancer by supporting the analysis of existing clinical, environmental, surveillance, health services, vital statistics, behavioral, lifestyle, genomic, and molecular profiles data.

Deadline: February 16, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

Systematic Testing of Radionuclides in Preclinical Experiments (STRIPE) (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: to study effects of different types of radiation used in radionuclide-based therapeutics (e.g., radiopharmaceutical therapy) on normal tissue, tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment.

Deadline: February 16, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

The Metastasis Research Network (MetNet): MetNet Research Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: to provide support to promote research efforts on the use of integrative systems-level approaches to address a defined gap in metastasis research.

Letter of Intent: May 20, 2025

Applications: June 20, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

NCI Small Grants Program for Cancer Research (NCI Omnibus) (R03 Clinical Trial Optional) (PAR-25-078)

Purpose: to provide support to well-defined projects in any area of cancer research using the NIH R03 small grant mechanism.

Deadline: February 24, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Mechanistic links between diet, lipid metabolism, and tumor growth and progression (UH2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Purpose: to provide support to applications that propose mechanistic investigations of the links between diet, lipid metabolism and tumor growth and progression. It is anticipated that this program will support fundamental studies designed to identify and define the molecular mechanisms through which lipid metabolism mediates tumor growth and progression, focusing specifically on the central role lipids play in linking diet with the biology of cancer; bridge the historically divided fields of nutrition and molecular metabolism; and stimulate research and tool development in this emerging area, which faces particular challenges because of the complexity of lipid biochemistry. 

Deadline: February 14, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

Notice of Funding Opportunity: Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)

Purpose: to support studies that will identify, develop, and/or test strategies for overcoming barriers to the adoption, adaptation, integration, sustainability, scale-up, and spread of evidence-based interventions, practices, programs, tools, treatments, guidelines, and policies (herein referred to collectively as evidence-based interventions). Studies that promote equitable dissemination and implementation of evidence-based interventions among underrepresented communities are encouraged. Conversely, there is a benefit in understanding circumstances that create a need to stop or reduce (de-implement) the use of practices that are ineffective, unproven, low-value, or harmful.

Deadline: February 16, 2025

Learn More and Apply >>

Newsroom

Cholsoon Jang, PhD (Biological Chemistry), received a grant from the Harold S. Geneen Charitable Trust Awards Program for Coronary Heart Disease Research for his project titled, “Defining the role of circulating bile acids in coronary heart disease.” The overarching goal of this proposal is to determine the causal relationship between circulating bile acids (BAs) and coronary heart disease (CHD).

Answers for cancers: Drs. Maheswari Senthil and Farshid Dayyani

Annual campus fundraiser supports promising studies, including Stopgap trial. Read More >>

Youtube: The Power of Philanthropy >>

Clinical Innovation Incubator Program recognizes inaugural awardees

UC Irvine Department Dermatology, UC Irvine School of Medicine and UCI Health, in partnership with UC Irvine Beall Applied Innovation, recently launched a new initiative, called the Clinical Innovation Incubator Program, to foster collaborations among clinicians, basic scientists and engineers, and industry mentors to develop innovative solutions for clinical needs.

During a series of three workshops, candidates pitched their clinical problem and then worked with mentors and collaborators to create an innovative solution. The inaugural program saw eight incredible proposals and the following two awardees were selected to receive $50,000 each to further develop their innovations that will address a clinical need: Anand Ganesan, MD, PhD, professor of dermatology, for his project "Developing a New Vascular Targeted Treatment for Rosacea," and Andrew Creadore, MD, a PGY-4 resident in the Department of Dermatology, for his project "Mobile App to Fill Gap in Natural Broadband Phototherapy Treatment Guidance."

Read More >>

Nuclear Speckles Identified as Key Hubs for Gene Expression Regulation

“In addition to its critical role in mRNA processing within nuclear speckles, RBBP6 also binds to many well-known tumor suppressor proteins, such as p53, via its long intrinsically disordered region,” said Shi. “These proteins are known to recruit their target genes to nuclear speckles to enhance gene expression, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Our future work will explore these interactions and their implications in gene regulation and cancer.” Read More >>

UCI Health celebrates more than 200 Physicians of Excellence

More than 200 UCI Health doctors recognized as 2025 Physicians of Excellence by the Orange County Medical Association (OCMA), including Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center Director, Dr. Richard Van Etten. See all of UCI Health's Physicians of Excellence >>

Cancer-fighting compound shows immense potential to eradicate HIV

Matthew D. Marsden, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Microbiology & Molecular Genetics, collaborates with authors from Stanford University and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) on this research, which was published in "Science Advances." Read More >>

Questions? Contact us at cfcccadmin@hs.uci.edu