Training surgeons to become cancer researchers

Surgical Oncologists as Scientists (SOAS) Training Program

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-10876241

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 typeTraining grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-10876241 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are MD/DO surgeons committed to a career in academic surgical oncology.

Not a fit: Patients who are not involved in surgical oncology or do not have access to participating surgeons may not benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.