T32 Integrative Training in Cancer Biology (ITCB)

Azeddine Atfi, Ph.D., Director
Dr. Atfi is a Professor in the Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and has extensive expertise in basic and translational cancer research. Dr. Atfi co-leads Massey’s Cancer Biology research program and currently holds 2 NCI R01s (R01 CA240484, R01 CA251405). Throughout his career, he has made many major contributions dissecting molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved in cancer pathogenesis and progression using genetic and pharmacological approaches both in vitro and in vivo. Trainees working with him will have opportunities to focus on developing therapeutic approaches that will eliminate cachexia, which is often a mortality-related consequence of chemotherapy.

Gordon Ginder, M.D., Associate Director
Dr. Ginder is a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine and former director of Massey. His laboratory has had a long-standing focus on epigenetic mechanisms of gene silencing. A particular focus of current studies is on the mechanism by which DNA methylation silences tumor suppressor genes. Recent studies have shown the ability of the methyl cytosine-binding protein MBD2 to silence a specific set of tumor suppressor genes and to promote cell growth and survival in highly aggressive triple-negative breast cancer. Most recently, his laboratory is developing approaches to disrupt the association of MBD2 with the NuRD co-repressor complex using a covalently stapled coiled coil domain peptide identified by NMR structural analysis as the site of interaction of MBD2 with p66, a key component of the NuRD complex. Trainees working with him will have opportunities to explore genetic, multidisciplinary research across the translational pipeline.

Larisa Litovchick, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Director
Dr. Litovchick is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine. She has a strong record of NIH and DOD research funding, including seminal works on the evolutionarily conserved transcriptional repressor complex DREAM, a master regulator of cell-cycle dependent gene expression. During her career, she has extensively published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. She is currently serving on the Cancer Drug Development and Therapeutics SBIR/STTR study section. Dr. Litovchick is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion, notably among emerging female biomedical scientists, and she has been an active mentor in VCU’s Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Scholars Program (IMSD) and for the Postbaccalaureate Research Program (VCU PREP).

Richmond, Virginia

There are 6 Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) health science schools—medicine, population health, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing and health professions—located in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Nicknamed “River City”, or RVA, Richmond sits alongside the James River line in the Piedmont region, and serves as the center of the metropolitan area known for its rich cultural history. The Richmond area is an energetic, populous region, characterized by racial and religious diversity and historic attractions.

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

Massey was established at VCU in 1974, became an NCI-designated cancer center in 1975, and has been continuously funded by an NCI Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) since that time. In 2023, Massey earned its designation from the NCI as a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Massey’s mission to reduce the state cancer burden for all Virginians by addressing the confluence between biological, social and policy drivers through high-impact, cutting-edge research; person-centered care across the continuum, from prevention through survivorship; community integration; and training the next generation of community-centric researchers and healthcare professionals. Massey has more than 140 members representing more than 25 academic departments across six VCU schools and colleges. Massey members are organized into three research programs:

• Cancer Biology: Program members unravel the mechanistic underpinnings of tumor pathogenesis and progression and identify key interactions between tumors and their microenvironment that could shed light on the intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms accounting for cancer progression.
• Developmental Therapeutics: Program members explore cancer therapeutics, identify molecular targets, assess the molecular genetic profiles of tumors, and translate these findings and the findings of the other two programs into novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of cancer.
• Cancer Prevention & Control: Program members identify cancer risk factors as well as develop and conduct interventions to decrease the cancer burden in the Massey's catchment area and improve cancer-related care, patient health outcomes and survivorship.

Massey's vision is to be a premier community-focused cancer center leading the nation in cancer research and ensuring optimal health outcomes for all. Utilizing a Community-to-Bench model, the center aims to bridge the disconnect between academia and the communities it serves. Through this model, Massey increasingly employs an approach that acknowledges the community as an equal expert and strategic research partner that informs the prioritization, development, execution and dissemination of cancer research, education, care and policy agendas.

Mentoring

Mentorship teams derived from ITCB Faculty and Community Champions to inform research projects will be established for each fellow. The mentoring team will help develop and monitor the fellow’s individual development plan, which will map out the skills to be learned and milestones to be achieved.

Laboratory training

Within the primary mentor's laboratory, ITCB fellows will be provided with training opportunities that include exposure to a transdisciplinary, collaborative and translational research environment. State-of-the-art biomedical technologies will enable opportunities for hands-on experience applying design thinking for implementation of biomedical research concepts and techniques pertinent to solid tumors and hematologic malignancies. Initiatives and interactions will generate increased extramural support, strong publications and ultimately new approaches to cancer.

Required coursework

• Molecular Biology of Cancer (3 credits): This course will survey the alterations in key signaling networks that drive cancer development, decipher the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in cancer formation and progression, and investigate the molecular mechanisms governing the complex interactions between cancer cells and their immune and stromal microenvironment.
• Community-to-Bench Research (2 credits): This series addresses topics in the early-stages of translational development activities toward ultimate deployment into broad clinical practice. Topics include company formation, STTR and SBIR grants, presenting to investors, building a business-oriented team, using consultancies for special tasks, managing conflict of interest and other topics.

Career development activities

• Career development series: This series provides a venue for dialogue, advocacy, problem-solving, skill-building, scientific networking and professional development for the different facets of careers as scientists and/or faculty members. Selected topics will include:
  • Career Pipelines in Cancer Research
  • Translating Cancer Biology Discoveries
  • Leadership and Team Science
• Journal club: Organized by members of the ITCB Program faculty, trainees will be expected to participate in monthly sessions and will be asked to present one journal article every six months.
• Shared Resource hands-on training: To provide a breadth of applied experience and training utilizing cutting-edge technologies, ITCB fellows will receive free training, either one-on-one or through structured workshops in Massey’s Shared Resources. These opportunities will familiarize trainees with the technologies, instrumentation and expertise provided by these cores.
• Research retreats, symposia and national meetings: All fellows are expected to attend and/or give presentations for the following events:
  • Biannual Commonwealth of Virginia Cancer Research Conference
  • Annual Walter Lawrence Research Retreat
  • Gordon Ginder Innovations in Cancer Symposium

  Fellows are also expected to participate in national meetings and workshops related to their area of research interest and are encouraged to submit abstracts for these meetings.

Predoc eligibility and expectations

Eligibility

• Currently enrolled in graduate programs at VCU
• Be a U.S. citizen or have a verifiable status as a permanent resident

Milestones

• Produce an NIH F30 or F31 grant application and present it for mock review by their mentors and selected reviewers
• Submit an NIH F30 or F31 application at the end of their second year
• Publish one or two publications with their mentor(s) during the two-year training period

Postdoc eligibility and expectations

Eligibility

• Have a doctoral degree in a relevant discipline from an accredited domestic or foreign educational institution. Exceptional M.D. applicants with significant research experience and a demonstrated commitment to an academic research career will be considered.
• Be a U.S. citizen or have a verifiable status as a permanent resident

Milestones

• Produce an extramural grant application (e.g., F32, K00, K99, R02 or R21) by the end of Year 1 for mock review and submit the application in Year 2
• Publish one first-author publication
• Publish one or two other publications with their mentor(s) during the two-year training period