Global Academic Programs (GAP)

Global Academic Programs (GAP) is one of three divisions in MD Anderson's Center for Global Oncology (CGO). GAP works primarily through continuing to develop what is currently the largest global network of cancer centers working cooperatively on research and education aimed at lessening the world's cancer burden. Known as Sister Institutions, these partnerships form the backbone of GAP's efforts.

Each of our major efforts have separate pages, listed in the menu to the left, where you can explore GAP's activities and news. Subscribe and automatically receive our weekly e-newsletter, GAP Connect for the latest on all things related to GAP. For even more up to date news follow us on twitter at Follow @MDAnderson_GAP.

Our annual GAP Conference is a chance to bring together faculty from MD Anderson and our Sister Institutions to talk about our research, plan future projects and discuss our successes and where we would like to improve. In 2012, the conference will not be held here in Houston, Texas, but in Oslo, Norway and will be co-sponsored by our SI, the Norwegian Cancer Consortium.

In addition, GAP also sponsors a Lecture Series in Global Oncology. Our first lecture, here in Houston was given by Kazunori Kataoka, Ph.D., from The University of Tokyo. He discussed nanodevices for drug delivery. Our most recent lecture was given by Phil Castle, Ph.D., executive director of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Keep an eye on GAP Connect and the website for information on future lectures.

GAP has also recently launched two services; one aimed at enabling research between our SI network and faculty at MD Anderson and one to help patients and physicians at our SIs who need to visit MD Anderson in Houston for care or training.

SciVal Experts is a search tool that allows faculty entered into the database to find others with similar interests and expertise. We are in the process of adding the faculty from all our SIs, which will allow not just a single SI to search for MD Anderson faculty, but the ability for an individual at an SI to look at investigators from across the network. SciVal Funding is an additional tool that provides MD Anderson faculty a way to look for support based on their research, expertise and past awards.

In Sept., 2011 GAP launched SIRAC, Sister Institution Referral Assistance Center. The initial focus of the center will be our SIs in China, with the goal of eventually providing the same support across the network. SIRAC will provide an avenue for patients and their physicians at our Sister Institutions to refer patients and gain seamless access to the services provided at MD Anderson.

GAP exists for the faculty of MD Anderson and our current and future Sister Institutions. We want to hear your ideas, suggestions and comments. Please contact us at any time and check back often for updates and information.