1/2 VSU-MCC Partnership for Cancer Disparities Research and Training program (SUCCEED)

OVERALL: PROJECT SUMMARY Investigators from Virginia State University (VSU), a Historically Black College/University, and the NCI- designated Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Massey Cancer Center (MCC) recognized a need to collaborate and leverage the expertise and resources of both institutions to educate and train promising

individuals who will ultimately contribute to diminishing cancer disparities in Virginia. The outcome of this collaboration resulted in the formation of the VSU-MCC PartnErship for CancEr Disparities Research and Training (SUCCEED) program. The overarching goal of SUCCEED is to lead in the transformation of cancer-

related outcomes for Virginians and to serve as a model of transdisciplinary disparities research and education. Guided by the NCI framework, our preliminary data, and the expertise of our multidisciplinary team, we will employ a multilevel approach to develop a robust collaborative infrastructure that will build on the strengths of

the partnering institutions to enhance their capacity to conduct cancer health inequities research that is driven by local data and informed by the cancer-related needs of local communities. Specific aims are to: Aim 1: Establish a mutually beneficial collaborative partnership between VSU and MCC in cancer disparities research

and training; Aim 2: Conduct collaborative, locally focused liver/gastrointestinal (GI) cancer pilot research studies by investigators at MCC and VSU; Aim 3: Provide an integrated cancer research training and career development experience to VSU faculty; Aim 4: Support underrepresented minority undergraduate students

from VSU to pursue careers in disparities research; Aim 5: Conduct an ongoing evaluation that reflects the progress of the collaborative partnership in meeting its goals and objectives. To our knowledge, this is the first targeted effort of this nature to address cancer disparities in the state of Virginia.