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Acres Homes Predoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Prevention

Research training opportunities in obesity-related cancer

The NCI U54 Research and Training Program of The MD Anderson Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration prepares predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees in 3-year appointments to become leaders addressing obesity-related cancers affecting underserved communities. This fellowship is part of the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP) at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. With elements tailored to trainee interests and professional needs, our multidisciplinary curriculum prepares predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees in the principles and practice of research on the causes and interception of obesity-related cancers. Training includes mentored research with experts in cancer prevention and experiential learning opportunities in underserved communities with community partners. The fellowship emphasizes acquiring and applying knowledge of the drivers of persistent poverty and their impact on health, developing skills in research methods used in community settings to design and implement interventions against obesity-related cancers, and fostering professional skills of scientist-advocates for success.

Trainees will learn the principles and practice of research on the causes and interception of obesity-related cancers and how to conduct research successfully in underserved communities with community partners. They will acquire and apply knowledge of the drivers of persistent poverty and their impact on health to solutions, develop skills in research methods used in community settings to design and implement effective interventions against obesity-related cancers, and foster key professional skills needed by scientist-advocates for success in the field. While all trainees will use data and opportunities available through Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration to benefit from the multiple resources provided, predoctoral trainees will be expected to use these resources for their dissertation projects.

Background

Persistent poverty areas represent an important subgroup of U.S. counties with a higher disease burden, including cancer, where the health consequences of elevated and continuous poverty levels over time have not been fully investigated. We plan to bridge the gap between research and real-world practice through community-engaged approaches to address obesity, the second leading preventable cause of cancer. Obesity is related to an increased risk of 13 types of cancer (endometrial, colorectal, post-menopausal breast, esophageal, liver, kidney, stomach, gall bladder, pancreas, ovarian, and advanced prostate). Obesity-related cancers increased between 1995 and 2014, particularly in adults under 50, indicating that rising obesity rates may be driving cancer increases. Furthermore, physical inactivity and diets low in whole grains, vegetables, and fruit and high in processed and red meat are also associated with increased cancer risk and increasing risk of obesity. People living in persistent poverty face particular environmental, social, and economic challenges to being physically active and eating a high-quality diet, which may partially explain the increased risk of cancers related to diet, activity, and obesity in these areas. More cancer prevention and control efforts, both research and interventions, are urgently needed to reach these communities to reduce the burden of obesity-related cancers.

Deadlines and Important Dates

Candidates must complete a pre-application. The pre-application review takes up to ten (10) business days. We will invite successful pre-applicants to submit a complete Slate application via email. The email invitation will include a link to submit an inquiry and application form in the MD Anderson Slate system.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed upon receipt. Available slots are dependent on the number of positions actively filled.

Eligibility

Eligible predoctoral applicants must meet the following requirements:

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident legally approved to be in the United States during the entire length of the fellowship.
Must be enrolled full-time in a Ph.D. or other doctoral program in a disciplinary area relevant to conducting obesity or cancer-related research for their dissertation.
Must have completed their doctoral comprehensive exams successfully.
Must be pursuing a doctoral degree in public and population sciences, including health promotion/health education, a behavioral or social science discipline, epidemiology, biostatistics, economics, health services research/health policy, communication, or other related areas of study.
Selected trainees will use data and opportunities available through Acres Home Cancer Prevention Collaboration for their dissertation projects to benefit from the multiple resources provided.
Must express a commitment to a career as a cancer and obesity researcher in their personal statement and throughout the application.
Must provide proof of enrollment in a doctoral degree program.
Underrepresented minorities, economically disadvantaged, underserved backgrounds, and students with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

Funding Support, Benefits & Duration

Predoctoral students receive a stipend of $36,000 per year, plus benefits (e.g., health insurance, paid institutional holidays, and sick leave).
No funds are available for relocation/housing subsidies.
The length of fellowship appointments are up to three (3) years, renewed annually pending successful progress towards research and training goals.
All predoctoral fellows must be in the state of Texas, will be appointed as on-campus/hybrid, and are required to check-in with the Office of Research Trainee Progams (RTP) in-person on the first day of employment. The trainee will also visit MD Anderson campus to pick up a leased, encrypted MD Anderson laptop, and complete an offsite agreement. The laptop must be returned at the conclusion of the fellowship. No exceptions.
Stipends are subject to required federal taxes.
Per MD Anderson guidelines, doctoral students are appointed under the title 'graduate students' and are restricted to part-time during the Spring and Fall semesters, but will be increased to full-time during the summer.
This predoctoral fellowship includes additional funding support for tuition and fees, supplies, books, software, professional development, and travel to present research at conferences.

Application Process

PRE-PHASE ONE: PRE-APPLICATION SUBMISSION & REVIEW

To submit a pre-application, email the five (5) items below merged into a single Adobe PDF file to AcresHomesCPC@MDAnderson.org. Upon receipt, please allow ten (10) business days for a pre-application decision. Successful pre-applicants will be invited to submit a full application in the Slate system (Phase two).

1. Cover letter

2. Provide a Statement of Research Experience and Interest (see 3.7 below) (i.e., personal statement). It is recommended that you draft this statement in Word or another word processing software, using the Word count feature to ensure that you do not exceed the 700-word limit. You can then copy and paste the text into the form field. (a copy of the same or updated document submitted with the pre-application)Address the following three (3) areas:

2a) Your research interests, experience, and future goals in cancer and obesity research

2b) Your reasons for seeking research training from this program. Please include any life experiences or motivating factors related to your career interest.

2c) How the fellowship will contribute to your future career plans in cancer and obesity research.

3. CV

4. Transcript of qualifying degree (received or in progress)

PHASE ONE: SUBMIT A FULL APPLICATION

1. Upon successful pre-application review, we will email you an invitation and a link to complete the Inquiry Form, create an account in the Slate system, and submit a full application.

2. Read the required three (3) sections before completing the Slate Inquiry Form: 1) Please Read Before You Apply, 2) Additional Documents Required If Selected As A Final Candidate, and 3) Onboarding Contingencies That Require Early Action

3. Complete the Slate Inquiry Form and upload the required documents:

3.1 Personal Information (e.g., name, demographics, personal email). Your answers in the demographic section help our program report diversity to the funding agency. The information you provide will never be used in a discriminatory manner by our program and institution.

3.2 List the names and emails addresses of two individuals who will provide you with professional recommendations (i.e., letters of recommendation). These may be the same individuals who wrote letters for your pre-application. Please contact them and inform them that they must upload a copy of the original letters submitted.

3.3 Upload Resume/CV

3.4 Upload Proof of Enrollment

3.5 Provide a Statement of Research Experience and Interest (i.e., personal statement). We recommend drafting this statement in Word and use the word count feature to ensure that you do not exceed the 700-word limit. Copy and paste the text into the form field. Address the following three (3) areas:

1) Your research interests, experience, and future goals in cancer and obesity research.

2) Your reasons for seeking research training from this program. Please include any life experiences or motivating factors related to your career interest.

3) How the fellowship will contribute to your future career plans in cancer and obesity research.

3.6 Double-check all aforementioned items before clicking the SUBMIT button. The Slate system will not accept revised documents.

4. Create your Slate Account. After clicking the SUBMIT button, you will receive an email from MD Anderson Education & Training (trainee@mdanderson.org), subject line: "Complete your Trainee Position Inquiry Request". Follow the instructions and click the hyperlink in the email to create a Slate account and request your letters of recommendation.

5. Complete the Application:

5.1 Read the Application Instructions in the Slate system.

5.2 Two (2) Letters of Recommendation: In the Recommendations screen, enter the contact information for both individuals who will write your letters of recommendation. Ideally, recommenders should be professors or faculty mentors who know you well. Candidates are encouraged to work with references to ensure that letters are: 1) on institutional letterhead, 2) signed, and 3) recently dated. Note: Please ignore any text in the SLATE system specifying that MD Anderson faculty cannot write letters of recommendation---this is false and hopefully will be corrected soon. After the applicant enters the recommender's information in the Slate system, the recommender will receive an email notification from trainee@mdanderson.org, subject line "Recommendation Request from YOUR NAME for MD Anderson Cancer Center" and a link to upload the letter of recommendation to your account. You will receive an email when the letter has been successfully uploaded.

5.3 Complete any additional forms (e.g., Additional Demographics and Future Plans, Academic Awards and Honors).

Note: There is no submit button in the "Complete the Application" stage. To check the status of your application, log on to your Slate account and select 'Status' from the menu. Your application is complete when all sections are complete and both letters of recommendation have been uploaded to your account.

How to Find a Mentor

Candidates invited for the second phase of applicant review will be contacted to provide short responses to a series of questions and a list of preferred potential mentors selected from a list of Acres Homes mentors comprised of faculty from multiple universities participating in the Acres Homes Cancer Prevention Collaboration.