Ponce–Moffitt Cancer Center Partnership
Official title: (1/2) Ponce Health Sciences University-Moffitt Cancer Center Partnership #
Funded at Ponce School of Medicine · NIH-11169905 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A collaboration connecting Ponce Health Sciences University and Moffitt Cancer Center to expand cancer care, community outreach, and research opportunities for people in Puerto Rico and the Tampa Bay region.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ponce School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ponce, United States) |
| Project start | September 25, 2012 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $1,301,440 |
| NIH project number | 5U54CA163071-13 |
| Project ID | NIH-11169905 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants are people with cancer or at high risk who live in Ponce, Puerto Rico or the Tampa Bay area and who are willing to take part in research or donate tissue or blood samples.
✕Less likely to help
People who live far outside these regions, who do not want to join research, or whose care needs fall outside the partnership's focus may not see direct benefit.
What this research studies
This partnership brings together clinicians and researchers from Ponce and Moffitt to address cancer differences driven by genetics, poverty, and access to care. They maintain a biobank of patient samples, recruit and train local scientists and clinicians, and run community education and outreach programs. The partnership also helps connect patients to clinical research and improves coordination between institutions. It has supported communities through major hurricanes and earthquakes to keep care and research going.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the partnership could increase local access to clinical trials, improve culturally tailored care, and accelerate research using patient samples that may lead to better treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Other cancer center–community partnerships and biobanks have successfully increased trial enrollment and improved outreach, though outcomes vary by region and program design.
Where this research is happening
-
Ponce School of Medicine
Ponce, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saavedra, Harold I — Ponce School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Saavedra, Harold I
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.