Expanding cancer research capacity in Nigeria with team science

SUMMARY In Nigeria, cancer is a significant and growing public health threat. Given the rising incidence and poor outcomes associated with cancer in the region, the Nigerian Ministry of Health has designated cancer as a priority area for research and training. To support this, we propose a new training program – the

Nigerian Cancer Research Training (NCAT) program – with the goal of increasing capacity for cancer research in Nigeria. We seek to not only strengthen the existing research enterprise but to build in- country expertise and provide a solid foundation for the development, implementation, and dissemination of evidence-based interventions that will impact public health policy, as well as clinical

practice, care, and treatment for cancer patients. The NCAT program will build on existing relationships and infrastructure established over the past decade between Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) in the US, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Nigeria, and the College of Medicine/Lagos University Teaching Hospital (CMUL/LUTH) in Nigeria. We will employ a multi-level approach to

strengthen research capacity for individuals (Aim 1) and institutions (Aim 2), while also enhancing broader relationships at national, regional, and global levels (Aim 3). The NCAT program will address two distinct needs for cancer research training in Nigeria: 1. a training program that can be used for

clinical faculty (primarily physicians and nurses) that will not interfere with clinical/research duties, and 2. a training program to bolster the capacity of full-time PhD-level researchers in the disciplines of cancer epidemiology, behavioral sciences, and biostatistics. Trainees will be competitively selected,

and we will emphasize diversity and underrepresented specialties (e.g., nursing, psycho-oncology). A multi-pronged training approach, utilizing coursework, “hands-on” research in ongoing breast and colorectal cancer studies, virtual learning, mentorship, and collaboration will be used to train a cadre of

multidisciplinary Nigerian cancer researchers. After a one-year cancer research training period, NCAT trainees will be grouped into research teams and take part in team science-based training, which will include designing and conducting a collaborative mentored pilot research project in Nigeria. In addition,

to enhance support for local researchers beyond the project period, we will develop cancer research training courses to be used in Nigeria, and provide mentorship and training to research administration offices at OAU and CMUL/LUTH. We will use multiple layers of trainee and project assessment to ensure that our program is meeting its ultimate goal of creating well-trained colorectal and breast cancer

researchers and a sustainable pipeline for continued cancer research in Nigeria.