Application Open
Friday, June 12, 2026

Application Deadline
Monday, October 5, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Central Time

Application Review
Tuesday, October 6 – Monday, October 26, 2026

Fellowship Award Notification
Late October

Research & Career Proposals Due
Mid-November to Early December

Earliest Fellowship Start Date
Monday, February 1, 2027

Dates are subject to change by the CPRTP.

• Applicants must have already earned or be within 5 months of earning a doctoral degree in health science or related disciplines by the application deadline.
• May be from backgrounds in the basic biomedical sciences, medicine, biomedical statistics, epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, nursing and related public health disciplines.
• Proposed research project must be related to colorectal cancer prevention.
• This fellowship is available without regard to the applicant’s U.S. citizenship status and we accept applications from U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and Visa Holders. 

The Janice Davis Gordon Memorial Fellowship in Colorectal Cancer Prevention Research is funded for up to two years, renewed annually pending research progress and availability of funds.

Our program pays the postdoctoral salaries per the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Postdoctoral Fellow Stipend Policy and the salary ranges are adjusted annually by the NIH. The Gordon Memorial fund will cover 85% of the salary + fringe, and the mentor or mentor's Department Chair will cover 15%. After the first appointment year, the salary may be subject to a one-time raise if approved by the CPRTP Director and mentor. Fringe benefits include health insurance, paid institutional holidays, and annual and sick leave. 

This fellowship does not provide additional research support funds for tuition, reference books, meeting registration, travel support, and research costs. Awardees of the Janice Davis Gordon Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Colorectal Cancer Prevention must consult their mentors for additional research support.  

Stipend Compensation 

• Stipend: 
  • Starting at $64,000 per year 
  • Based on previous years of experience
  • Per MD Anderson and NIH Kirchstein-NRSA guidelines and ranges (adjusted annually)
  • Gordon Memorial fund covers 85% of the salary + fringe, Mentor/Dept. Chair covers 15%
  • Salary may be subject to a one-time raise with funding availability, and program and mentor approval 
• Taxes: Subject to U.S. federal taxes
• Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, and paid monthly 

Fellowship Terms

• Appointment home must be at MD Anderson Cancer Center
• Up to two (2) years, renewed annually based on successful research and training goal progress
• Location: On-campus/hybrid. The percentage of remote work is determined by the primary mentor

Benefits and Support

• Stipend includes health insurance, paid holidays, and sick leave
• This fellowship does not provide additional funding support for:
  • Conference travel
  • Research supplies
  • Books and software
  • Professional development
  • Relocation 
  • Housing
  • MD Anderson campus parking reimbursement 

Starting the Fellowship 

• Report to MD Anderson campus on their first day
• Complete required RTP and HR onboarding tasks (e.g., ID verification with unexpired passport, federal ID, passport)
• Complete required Visa administration contingencies, if applicable
• Pick up ID badge
• Pick up leased, encrypted laptop and complete offsite agreement 
• Complete required progress reports and check-in meetings with the CPRTP Director

Ending the Fellowship

• Complete final evaluation of program and mentor
• Deliver practice job talk during monthly department meeting
• Exit interview with CPRTP Director
• Return purchased equipment, office keys, and MD Anderson laptop computer
• Obtain CPRTP certificate of completion and MD Anderson certificate, if leaving the institution at the conclusion of the fellowship

 

Find Your Mentors Before Applying

All applicants are required to identify, contact, and secure their own mentors. The CPRTP does not assign or match applicants with mentors.

You will need letters, documents, and signatures from your mentors to complete the Part 1B Supplemental Application. Therefore, you should begin identifying and contacting potential mentors before completing your application.

Mentor Requirements

Your mentoring team must meet all of the following requirements:

1. You must have a minimum of two mentors with complementary research expertise in different disciplines.

2. At least one mentor must be at the Assistant Professor level or higher within the MD Anderson Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences (DCPPS).

3. Fellows selected for the program will be appointed to the department of their MD Anderson primary mentor.

4. Your proposed fellowship research project must focus on colorectal cancer prevention.

How to Find Mentors

Applicants are responsible for identifying potential mentors, contacting them directly, and obtaining their agreement to serve as mentors.

A faculty member is not your mentor until the faculty member has agreed to serve as your mentor. Identifying or selecting a faculty member does not confirm a mentoring relationship.

You may use any of the following methods to identify potential mentors:

Method 1: Search DCPPS Departments

Faculty conducting cancer prevention research are concentrated in the following five departments. Review faculty profiles and research interests to identify potential mentors whose expertise aligns with your proposed research:

• Behavioral Science 
• Health Disparities Research 
• Clinical Cancer Prevention 
• Epidemiology
• Health Services Research

Method 2: Request a List of Potential Faculty Mentors

1. To receive a list of potential faculty mentors, email us at Apply@CancerPreventionTraining.org.
2. In your email, state that you are applying for the Janice Davis Gordon Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and are requesting the list of potential faculty mentors.
3. Important: The faculty members on this list are potential mentors only. Their availability is not guaranteed, and inclusion on the list does not mean that a faculty member has agreed to serve as your mentor.
4. Applicants must contact potential mentors directly to discuss their research interests and determine whether the faculty member is willing and available to serve as a mentor.

Method 3: Search the MD Anderson Faculty Directory

1. Use the MD Anderson faculty search engine to identify potential mentors. Search using keywords related to your proposed research, such as “colorectal cancer prevention.”
2. If you identify a potential mentor but need assistance locating the faculty member's contact information, contact:

Apply@CancerPreventionTraining.org

After You Secure Your Mentors

Once you have identified your mentors and they have agreed to serve as mentors for your fellowship application, proceed to the “How to Apply” section below.

Remember:

• A minimum of two mentors is required.
• Applicants are responsible for identifying and contacting their own mentors.
• The CPRTP does not assign or match applicants with mentors.
• A faculty member's name appearing on a list or in a faculty search does not mean that the faculty member has agreed to mentor you.
• You must obtain your mentors' agreement and the required mentor materials for your Part 1B Supplemental Application.

How to Apply

The application process has two phases. All applicants must complete Phase One, which consists of two required parts: Part 1A and Part 1B.

Both Part 1A and Part 1B must be submitted by the application deadline listed on this page.

Before You Apply: Mentors Are Required

All applicants must identify, contact, and secure their own mentors as part of the Phase One application process.

Applicants are responsible for contacting prospective mentors directly, discussing their proposed fellowship research, and obtaining each faculty member's agreement to serve as a mentor.

The CPRTP provides a list of potential faculty mentors to help applicants identify faculty whose research may align with their interests. Please note:

• Mentors are required for all applicants.
• The CPRTP does not match applicants with mentors.
• Selecting a faculty member from the list does not mean that the faculty member has agreed to serve as your mentor.
• Applicants must contact potential mentors directly and obtain their agreement to serve as a mentor.
• Applicants are responsible for obtaining the required letters, documents, and signatures from their mentors for the Part 1B Supplemental Application.

For instructions on identifying and contacting potential mentors, scroll UP to the “How to Find a Mentor” section on this webpage.

Application Phases

The application has two phases:

Phase One: Required for All Applicants

Phase One consists of two separate and required parts:

• Part 1A: Postdoctoral Fellow Inquiry Form, submitted through Slate
• Part 1B: Supplemental Application, submitted by email

All applicants must complete both Part 1A and Part 1B. Completing only one part does not complete your Phase One application.

Phase Two: By Invitation Only

Only applicants selected after review of their Phase One application will be invited to submit a Research and Career Proposal in colorectal cancer prevention.

Phase One: Required for All Applicants

Part 1A: Postdoctoral Fellow Inquiry Form

Complete the Postdoctoral Fellow Inquiry Form in Slate using the application link provided on this webpage.

The Part 1A application requires the following information and documents:

Personal Information

Complete all requested personal information.

Doctoral Degree

Add each relevant doctoral degree and provide:

• Institution Name
• Country
• City
• State
• Degree
• Major
• Start Date
• End Date
• Date the degree was or will be conferred

Doctoral Degree Documentation

Upload a copy of your doctoral degree.

If your degree is not in English:
Include a certified English translation.

If you are currently a doctoral student:
Upload the following two documents merged into a single file:

1. Proof of enrollment in a doctoral degree program
2. A letter from your doctoral committee chairperson or advisor confirming:
   • Your anticipated date of degree completion
   • That you are in good standing

CV, Resume, or Biosketch

Upload your current CV, resume, or biosketch.

Publications

Provide a minimum of one and a maximum of five of your most relevant and impactful manuscripts that have already been published.

For each publication, provide:

• Authorship
• Type
• Journal Name
• Publication Title
• Publication Date
• A copy of the published manuscript in PDF format

Researcher Identification

Provide your:

• eRA Commons ID
• ORCID iD

Statement of Research Experience and Interest

Submit a Statement of Research Experience and Interest, also referred to as your Personal Statement.

Maximum: 700 words

Submit Part 1A

After completing all required fields and uploading all required documents, click the gray SUBMIT button in Slate.

Saving your application without clicking SUBMIT does not complete your Part 1A submission.

Check Your Part 1A Application Status

Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their own Part 1A application.

Due to the high volume of applications, the CPRTP is unable to check or confirm individual Part 1A application statuses before the application deadline.

To check your Part 1A status:

1. Log in to your Slate applicant account at:
   https://trainees.mdanderson.org/portal/comp_apps

2. Review your application to confirm that it was submitted successfully and check its current status.

3. If you need to resubmit corrected documents or forms, or if you experience technical problems with Slate, contact:
   Discover_Support@mdanderson.org

Please do not contact the CPRTP to request a Part 1A application status check before the deadline. Applicants are responsible for monitoring their own Part 1A application through their Slate account.

After the application deadline, the CPRTP will notify applicants of their application receipt status and provide the anticipated date by which the review committee will complete its application review.

Part 1B: Supplemental Application

Part 1B is required for all applicants and is separate from the Part 1A Slate application.

Part 1B is not submitted through Slate.

Step 1: Request the Part 1B Forms

The Part 1B Supplemental Application forms are provided by email.

To request the required forms, email:

Apply@CancerPreventionTraining.org

In your email, state that you are applying for the Janice Davis Gordon Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Colorectal Cancer Prevention and are requesting the Part 1B Supplemental Application forms.

The CPRTP will provide the required forms and submission instructions by email.

Do not wait until the application deadline to request the Part 1B forms. You will need time to complete the forms and obtain the required mentor letters, documents, and signatures.

Important: You Must Have Mentors

Mentors are required for all applicants. Applicants are responsible for identifying, contacting, and securing their own mentors.

If you have not yet secured your mentors, scroll down to the “How to Find a Mentor” section on this webpage for instructions on identifying and contacting potential mentors.

The CPRTP does not match applicants with mentors.

Step 2: Complete the Part 1B Supplemental Application

Your Part 1B Supplemental Application must include the following:

1. Application Checklist & Coversheet

Complete and date the Application Checklist & Coversheet and place it on top of your supplemental application.

2. Letters of Support from Prospective Mentors

One letter of support is required from each prospective mentor.

• One copy must be emailed directly by the mentor or the mentor's support staff to Apply@CancerPreventionTraining.org.
• One copy may also be included with your supplemental application.

3. Mentor Profile Form

Complete the required Mentor Profile Form.

4. Mentor NIH Biosketch

Provide a current NIH Biosketch from each mentor.

5. Mentor Other Support

Provide Other Support from each mentor.

6. Professional Photo

Include a professional photo.

7. Proposal Keywords, Title, and Suggested Reviewer Form

Complete the Proposal Keywords, Title, and Suggested Reviewer Form.

If your application is selected to advance to Phase Two, the information provided on this form will help the CPRTP identify and solicit appropriate subject matter experts to review your Research and Career Proposal.

8. Fellowship Requirements Memo

The Fellowship Requirements Memo must be signed by:

• The applicant
• The primary mentor

9. Mentor Requirements Memo

The Mentor Requirements Memo must be signed by the primary mentor.

Step 3: Submit Part 1B

Follow the submission instructions provided with the Part 1B Supplemental Application forms.

The completed Part 1B Supplemental Application must be submitted by email according to the instructions provided by the CPRTP and by the application deadline listed on this page.

Important: Both Part 1A and Part 1B Are Required

To complete Phase One, every applicant must submit both parts:

Part 1A

Postdoctoral Fellow Inquiry Form
Submitted through Slate

AND

Part 1B

Supplemental Application
Submitted by email according to the CPRTP instructions

Submitting Part 1A does not submit Part 1B. Submitting Part 1B does not replace Part 1A. Both parts are required and must be submitted by the application deadline.

Phase Two: By Invitation Only

Research and Career Proposal

After the review committee evaluates the Phase One applications, the CPRTP Program Manager will notify applicants of the decision.

Applicants selected to advance to Phase Two will be invited to submit a Research and Career Proposal in colorectal cancer prevention.

Invited applicants will receive:

• Detailed proposal instructions
• Proposal requirements
• A specific submission deadline

Do not submit a Research and Career Proposal unless you are invited to Phase Two.

Questions or Assistance

Part 1A: Slate

To check the status of your Part 1A application, log in to your Slate applicant account:

https://trainees.mdanderson.org/portal/comp_apps

For Slate technical problems, corrected documents, or assistance resubmitting Part 1A materials, contact:

Discover_Support@mdanderson.org

Due to the high volume of applications, the CPRTP is unable to provide individual Part 1A status checks before the application deadline.

Part 1B: Supplemental Application

To request the Part 1B Supplemental Application forms or for questions about the Gordon Fellowship Supplemental Application, contact:

Apply@CancerPreventionTraining.org

Finding a Mentor

For instructions on identifying and contacting potential mentors, scroll down to the “How to Find a Mentor” section on this webpage.

Remember: Mentors are required for all applicants, and applicants are responsible for identifying, contacting, and securing their own mentors.

 

 

#	Name	Department	Primary Mentor	Fellowship Term	Current Position
1	Sara Nofal, Ph.D.	Health Services Research	Dr. Iakovos Toumazis	8/1/2025 - Present	Postdoctoral Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas, USA)
2	Yusi Aveva Xu, Ph.D.	Health Disparities Research	Dr. Qian Lu	7/16/2025 - Present	Postdoctoral Fellow, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas, USA)
3	Abishai Dominic, Ph.D.	Cancer Systems Imaging	Dr. Pratip Bhattacharya	9/1/2023-8/31/2025	Assistant Professor, School of Dentistry, UT Health Houston-The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, (Houston, Texas, USA)
4	Preeti Marie Kanikarla, Ph.D.	GI Medical Oncology Research	Dr. Edmund Scott Kopetz	10/1/2018 – 9/30/2020	Senior Research Scientist, GI Medical Oncology Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas, USA)
5	Yue Liao, Ph.D.	Behavioral Science	Dr. Susan Schembre	4/11/2016 – 4/10/2018	Assistant Professor, Director of the Physical Activity and Wearable Sensors (PAWS) Lab, University of Texas at Arlington (Arlington, Texas, USA)
6	Ashish A. Deshmukh, Ph.D., M.P.H.	Health Services Research	Dr. Scott B. Cantor	7/29/2014 – 7/28/2016	Tenured Professor, Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina; Co-leader, Cancer Control Program, Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) (Charleston, South Carolina, USA); Co-director, Clinical Analytics and Decision Science (CADS), Lab, Medical University of South Carolina (Charleston, South Carolina)
7	Ester Flores, Ph.D., LMSW	Clinical Cancer Prevention	Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez	6/17/2013 – 6/16/2015	Associate Professor, Social Work, Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, Texas, USA)
8	Jennifer Davis, Ph.D.	Clinical Cancer Prevention	Dr. Xiangwei Wu	9/2/2011 – 9/1/2013	Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center (Kansas City, Kansas, USA)
9	Shih-Feng Weng, Ph.D.	Epidemiology	Dr. Olga Gorlova	9/1/2008 – 8/31/2009	Academic Researcher, Dept. of Healthcare Administration & Medical Informatics, Kaohsiung Medical University (Kaohsiung City, Taiwan)
10	Yuanqing Ye, Ph.D.	Epidemiology	Dr. Xifeng Wu	9/1/2007 – 7/16/2008	Director, Eisai Company (Tokyo, Japan)
11	Jinyun Jane Chen, Ph.D.	Epidemiology	Dr. Marsha Frazier	8/23/2006 – 12/31/2007	Executive Director, Clear Lake Montessori School (Houston, Texas, USA)
12	Ivan Gorlov, Ph.D.	Epidemiology	Dr. Christopher Amos	8/11/2003 – 9/30/2005	Associate Professor, Epidemiology & Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, Texas, USA)
13	Chongjuan Wei, Ph.D.	Epidemiology	Dr. Qingyi Wei	3/27/2000 – 3/27/2002	Program Director, Head & Neck Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center (Houston, Texas, USA)