CCSG Membership & Services

 


Members of the Cancer Research Center supported by the CCSG are expected to have active cancer research programs that are supported by peer-reviewed grants.  Individuals can have the requirement for external peer-reviewed support waived, if they provide a critical cancer research function (e.g. clinical trials, shared research support cores) or if they have recently been recruited to UVa by the Cancer Center.

Investigators wishing to become members of the University of Virginia Cancer Center should write a 1-2 page letter addressed to Dr. Michael Weber, Director of the Cancer Center.  Please send the letter to Tom O’Leary at Box 800334 and email a copy to tjo@virginia.edu.  In the letter summarize your research program and its cancer relevance.  If you are collaborating with other cancer investigators, summarize the collaborations.  Also, please attach your NIH biographical sketch or C.V., as well as an NIH "Other Support" page, if you have external funding.

Guidelines for Membership in the CCSG

The goal of the NCI Cancer Center Support Grant is to foster research that will improve the understanding, treatment, and prevention of cancer. We support innovative collaborative and interdisciplinary research including basic, translational and clinical research. We encourage investigators with new perspectives and technologies to apply their expertise to the cancer problem. However, the research we support must have a clear and central cancer focus.

Criteria for membership

To be eligible for membership in the Cancer Center Support Grant you must be a member of the University of Virginia faculty with a rank of at least Assistant Professor.  Instructors and Fellows are not eligible for membership.

Established investigators, with the rank of Associate Professor or Professor should demonstrate the following:

  • P.I. on a peer-reviewed funded research grant.
  • In lieu of peer-reviewed funding, clinical investigators should be participating in cancer clinical trials.
  • A demonstrated record in cancer research-to include recent publications and or collaborations.

Junior Faculty (Rank of Assistant Professor or Assistant Professor of Research) should demonstrate the following:

  • Independent, cancer focused, peer-reviewed funding is preferred, but is not required.
  • In lieu of independent funding, the junior faculty member must demonstrate a strong cancer focus.
  • Documentation of independence: independent laboratory space; P.I. on externally funded project; or being a primary author on peer-reviewed research publications are ways to demonstrate independence.

Program Affiliation

The Cancer Center contains seven research Programs, each with a Program Leader.  We require that you meet with one of the CCSG program leaders to discuss your research program and how your work could be linked to the Cancer Center.  The Program Leaders include:

Cell Signaling: David Brautigan
Endocrinology: Peggy Shupnik and Theresa Guise
Immunology and Immunotherapy: Vic Engelhard and Craig Slingluff
Metastasis and Migration: Tom Parsons
Structural Biology: John Bushweller
Molecular Genetics: Joyce Hamlin and Anindya Dutta
Developmental Therapeutics: Geoff Weiss and Paula Fracasso

All applicants are encouraged to go to the Cancer Center web page to determine which Program is best suited to their research interests, and to discuss their membership goals with the relevant Program Leader: http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/cancer-research/programs/.

Some members may be unaffiliated, and should speak with the Cancer Center Director, Deputy Director, or Associate Directors. 

Length of Membership
 
New Cancer Center members that meet the criteria above will be appointed for a period of three years.  Investigators with an interest in becoming involved in cancer research, but who do not have a record of accomplishment or collaboration in cancer research, will be appointed for one year as adjunct members. At the end of that year they can apply for full membership, and will be evaluated based on peer-reviewed funding, cancer focus and existing and planned collaborations with other Cancer Center investigators. 

All Cancer Center investigators will be reviewed every three years.  The review will include submission of an "other support" page, a research program summary and a description of ongoing and planned collaborations with other Cancer Center investigators and participation in Cancer Center activities.  Clinical investigators will be asked to also describe their involvement in clinical trials, including trials they have written, helped to open or accrued patients on to.

Membership

As a member of the CCSG you will have reduced user rates at the Shared Research Facilities, have access to biostatistical support and be eligible to compete for Cancer Center internal pilot funds.  As a member you will be expected to collaborate with other investigators, participate in planning programs and be an active member in your research program.  It is expected that you will help with the mentorship of junior investigators and when possible assist other cancer center investigators. 

Thank you for your interest in the Cancer Center.  Please call the Cancer Center at 924-2562 should you have any questions.