The Janice Davis Gordon Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Colorectal Cancer Prevention
The Janice Davis Gordon Memorial Postdoctoral Fellowship in Colorectal Cancer Prevention is awarded to a research fellow specializing in the prevention of colorectal cancer. As part of the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP), the Gordon fellowship prepares scientists and clinicians to achieve leadership roles as research investigators in colorectal cancer prevention.
The program is designed to expand the perspective of the trainees by moving them from their base of strength in a particular specialty and to equip them with additional knowledge of the other cancer prevention and control disciplines. Trainees are immersed in the cross-disciplinary research environment typical of cancer prevention and control research and benefit from career and professional development activities.
Application Materials, FAQs, and Templates
Helpful Resources and Templates
As a Gordon Postdoc, I had the opportunity to interact with and learn from scientists in a wide variety of disciplines. These experiences increased my appreciation for prevention strategies, underscoring the value of a multi-disciplinary approach, leading me to pursue transdisciplinary training and research.
Deadlines and Important Dates
(Part 1 and 2) Application Deadline: Mon., Mar. 24, 2025 by 11:59 p.m. CT
Notice to Awardee: Mid to Late April, 2025
Research and Career Proposals Due (from Awardee): Mid May
Earliest Fellowship Start Date: Tues., July 1, 2025
Eligibility
- 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.
Funding Support and Benefits
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. As of 2023, 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.
How to Find a Mentor
Mentor Requirements
1. This program requires a minimum of two mentors with complementary research expertise in different disciplines. Use this list to identify participating faculty. Faculty listed are not obligated to serve as mentors and may not be available.
2. At least one mentor must have a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level or higher within the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences (DCPPS) at MD Anderson. Faculty conducting cancer prevention research are concentrated within the five (5) departments below.
Use the links below to search for additional faculty and call the MD Anderson switchboard at 1-800-889-2094, if there is no contact number listed.
Due to administrative requirements, trainees' paid appointments as postdoctoral fellows are made at MD Anderson, in the department of the main MD Anderson mentor (Assistant Professor level or higher).
How to Apply
How to Apply
Download all items under the 'Application Instructions and Forms' section of this web page. The instructions includes a hyperlink to the SLATE application and instructions for phases one and two of the application.
Application Phases
The application process consists of two phases: Phase One requires all applicants to submit a SLATE application and supplementary documents, while Phase Two, by invitation only, involves selected candidates completing a Research and Career Proposal.
Phase One (Required for All Applicants):
1a) SLATE Application (submitted in the SLATE system):
- Inquiry form
- Biosketch or CV/Resume
- Statement of research experience and interest (personal statement)
- Copies of impactful manuscripts
- At least two (2) letters of recommendation
- Proof of a doctoral degree (with certified translation if not in English) OR (for current doctoral students):
- Proof of enrollment in a doctoral degree program
- A letter from the doctoral committee chairperson/advisor confirming the anticipated date of degree completion and that the student is in good standing.
1b) Supplement Application (submitted via email):
- Application Checklist & Coversheet must be completed, dated, and placed on top.
- Letters of support from each prospective mentor (one copy e-mailed directly from mentor or support staff to apply@cancerpreventiontraining.org and one copy may be included within the application).
- Mentor’s Profile Form
- Mentor’s NIH Biosketch (from each mentor)
- Mentor’s Other Support (from each mentor)
- Professional photo
- Proposal Keywords, Title, and Suggested Reviewer Form: In case your application is selected, the data you provide on this form will help us solicit subject matter experts to review your research and career proposal.
- Fellowship Requirements Memo (signed by applicant and primary mentor)
- Mentor Requirements Memo (signed by primary mentor).
Phase Two: By Invitation Only
Research and Career Proposal
After the review committee evaluates the applications, the CPRTP Program Manager will notify all candidates of the decision. Awardees will be invited to submit a Research and Career Proposal, with detailed instructions and a specified submission deadline.
Gordon Postdoctoral Award Recipients & Alumni
Chongjuan Wei, Ph.D.
Epidemiology, Mentor: Dr. Qingyi Wei, Fellowship Dates: 3/27/2000 - 3/27/2002
Program Director, Head & Neck Surgery, MD Anderson Cancer Center
Ivan Gorlov, Ph.D.
Epidemiology, Mentor: Dr. Christopher Amos, Fellowship Dates:8/11/2003 - 9/30/2005
Associate Professor, Medicine - Epidemiology & Population Science, Baylor College of Medicine
Jinyun Chen, Ph.D.
Epidemiology, Mentor: Dr. Marsha Frazier, Fellowship Dates: 8/23/2006 - 12/31/2007
Yuanqing Ye, Ph.D.
Epidemiology, Mentor: Dr. Xifeng Wu, Fellowship Dates: 9/1/2007 - 7/16/2008
Director, Eisai
Shih-Feng Weng, Ph.D.
Epidemiology, Mentor: Dr. Olga Gorlova, Fellowship Dates: 9/1/2008 - 8/31/2009
Department of Health care Administration and Medical Informatics
Ester Flores, Ph.D., LMSW
Clinical Cancer Prevention, Mentor: Dr. Eduardo Vilar-Sanchez, Fellowship Dates: 6/17/2013 - 6/16/2015
Associate Professor of Social Work, Our Lady of the Lake University, Worden School of Social Service
Ashish Deshmukh, Ph.D.
Health Services Research, Mentor: Dr. Scott Cantor, Fellowship Dates: 7/29/2014 - 7/28/2016
Tenured Professor of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina
Yue Liao, Ph.D.
Behavioral Science, Mentor: Dr. Susan Schembre, Fellowship Dates: 4/11/2016 - 4/10/2018
Assistant Professor, Director of the Physical Activity and Wearable Sensors (PAWS) Lab, University of Texas at Arlington
Preeti Marie Kanikarla, Ph.D.
Epidemiology, Mentor: Dr. Qingyi Wei, Fellowship Dates: 3/27/2000 - 3/27/2002
Principal Research Scientist, GI Medical Oncology Research, MD Anderson Cancer Center