Cancer Disparities Partnership

www.umgcc.org/research/cdirp.html

The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) Program in Oncology (UM Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center) and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) - Minority Serving Institution (MSI) was awarded the prestigious National Cancer Institute's U56 Comprehensive Cancer Center and Minority Serving Institution Research and Outreach Partnership grant. The grant application received an "outstanding rating" and University of Maryland Greenbaum Cancer Center is the only U.S. cancer center without a P30 center grant to receive a U56 planning grant.

The principal investigators for the UM Comprehensive Cancer Disparities Partnership are Claudia R. Baquet, MD, MPH, Associate Dean of the Office of Policy and Planning, Associate Professor of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Director Cancer Disparities Research, University of Maryland School of Medicine and Greenebaum Cancer Center, Chair, Maryland Subcommittee on Cancer Disparities and Kelly M. Mack, PhD, University of Maryland Eastern Shore Department of Natural Sciences.

Objectives/Aims:

• To create a stable, long-term collaborative partnership between UMES and UMGC in cancer research which includes basic, translational and cancer disparities research.

• To address the disproportionate cancer rates in minorities in Maryland especially in Baltimore City and on the rural Eastern Shore (the target geographic areas.)

• To improve the effectiveness of UMES and UMGCC research activities specifically designed to benefit the minority populations in Maryland's underserved areas.

• Support promising pilot cancer research, which will increase chances for several RO1s.