For Immediate Release
November 20, 2006

BUFFALO, NY – “Bench to Sidewalk” is the focus of a novel education program initiated by the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) and the University at Buffalo Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Health Professionals. The effort is funded by a $1.8 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

“The vision of cancer prevention at Roswell Park is to extend the paradigm of translational research of “bench to bedside” to “bench to sidewalk,” said James Marshall, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chair of the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, RPCI. “The Roswell Park-UB consortium will train future generations of cancer researchers in the laboratory “bench” sciences of genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology to integrate them with the sciences of prevention, such as epidemiology and population sciences and behavior change.”

The novel education program will train future cancer prevention scientists to develop interdisciplinary collaborations. Through the program, postdoctoral scientists will have the ability to engage in disciplines other than their own and will be able to link their work to those in basic cancer research.

With an understanding of cancer biology and its processes, students will be more able to apply an understanding of biomarkers of exposure, early biologic effects and genetic susceptibility to cancer prevention. The specialized curriculum will include courses, workshops, in-depth research experiences and a mentorship with a Roswell Park faculty member.       

The educational program is based on close collaboration with the University at Buffalo Department of Social and Preventive Medicine under the direction of Dr. Jo Freudenheim. The UB pre-doctoral trainees will work with the RPCI post-doctoral students to enhance the experiences of both groups.

“We believe this partnership between Roswell Park and UB promises great synergy in cancer prevention training,” continued Dr. Marshall. “Future investigators in cancer prevention will require a broad array of knowledge and skills to develop and direct effective research that bridges disciplines. This program addresses those educational needs.”

Roswell Park Cancer Institute, founded in 1898, is the nation’s first cancer research, treatment and education center and is the only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center in Upstate New York. RPCI is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or e-mail askrpci@roswellpark.org.

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