The Partnership has built a successful, multi-institutional, transdisciplinary cancer research program and is proud to share the impact of our collaborations. As our accomplishments below demonstrate, our focus is not only on cancer research itself, but also on research education, career development, provision of research resources, and community outreach.

Partnership accomplishments (2010 – 2023)

Research program

38 joint cross-institutional projects funded, funding 89 investigators (44 UMass Boston, 45 DF/HCC), 44% of whom are faculty of color

Early-stage investigators (ESI)

59 funded (18 UMass Boston, 41 DF/HCC), 54% of whom are investigators of color; 24% of whom are from underrepresented groups

Career advancement

59 investigators received faculty appointments, tenure, or promotion (28 UMass Boston, 31 DF/HCC), 54% of whom are faculty of color; 17% of whom are from underrepresented groups

Training

420 trainees from the undergraduate to postdoctoral level, 49% of whom are from underrepresented/underserved groups in STEM

Cancer outreach*

19 NCI NON Screen-to-Save sessions delivered, reaching 350 participants

Grants

171 grants funded (63 direct, 108 indirect) totaling $68,176,473

Publications

409 manuscripts (132 direct, 277 indirect)

Patents

5 patents (direct)

*Formal Outreach Core funding began in 2013.

Research project highlights

  • Changmeng Cai and Steven Balk of the Targeting Androgen Receptor Signaling in Prostate Cancer in Men with African Ancestry research project are working to finalize a new publication for the Journal of Clinical Investigation titled “Androgen receptor splice variants drive castration-resistant prostate cancer metastasis by activating distinct transcriptional programs.”
  • The Assessing e-Cigarettes for Tobacco Harm Reduction in the Context of Lung Cancer Screening project team, led by Nancy Rigotti and Jaqueline Avila, has expanded recruitment after nearly reaching their goal of 150 participants in only five weeks. 
  • The High Frequency of CHD1 Loss in BRCA2- Deficient African American Prostate Tumors Drives Tumor Formation by Suppressing Replication Stress co-investigator Shailja Pathania received an R01 on “Mechanisms Underlying Replication Stress and Genome Instability Upon BRCA2 Deficiency.”
  • Huimin Yan, co-PI of the Testing Home-Based Exercise Strategies to Improve Exercise Participation and Cardiovascular Health in Underserved Minority Patients with Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy project, was promoted to Associate Professor.

“The Partnership and my research experience helped me navigate my career goals through excellent mentorship from my PI who provides insight on next steps and ways to reduce debt in graduate level programs.”

– Shinelle, postbaccalaureate