Training surgeons to become cancer researchers
Official title: Surgical Oncologists as Scientists (SOAS) Training Program
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-10876241 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program is designed to help cancer surgeons learn important skills in areas like tumor research and entrepreneurship, so they can turn new discoveries into better treatments for patients over a two-year training period.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Training grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $368,648 |
| NIH project number | 5T32CA275782-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10876241 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this program are MD/DO surgeons committed to a career in academic surgical oncology.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not involved in surgical oncology or do not have access to participating surgeons may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This program aims to train surgical oncologists in essential areas such as tumor microenvironment, biobanking, and entrepreneurship to enhance their ability to conduct impactful cancer research. By providing formal education in these critical fields, the program seeks to bridge the gap between surgical practice and scientific inquiry. Participants will engage in a two-year training program designed to equip them with the skills necessary to translate innovative discoveries into clinical applications that can improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer treatments and improved patient care through enhanced surgical oncology practices.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of training surgical oncologists in these specific areas is relatively novel, similar interdisciplinary training programs have shown promise in enhancing research capabilities in other medical fields.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sicklick, Jason Keith — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Sicklick, Jason Keith
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.