Clinical Oncology Research Career Development Program (CORP)
Designed for junior faculty physicians pursuing academic careers in oncology research, the program combines hands-on research training, individualized mentorship, and formal coursework in clinical and translational cancer research. You gain the experience needed to move discoveries from the laboratory into better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies for patients with cancer.
Through Case CCC, you will work with leading researchers and clinicians across a collaborative cancer research environment and can tailor your training in one of three focus areas:
- Mechanism-Based Therapeutics and Clinical Research
- Stem Cell Biology and Hematopoietic Malignancy Clinical Research
- Prevention, Aging and Cancer Genetics and Clinical Research
Scholars complete a personalized training program in up to three years that includes advanced coursework through Case Western Reserve University, mentored laboratory and clinical research experiences, and guidance from a multidisciplinary mentoring team. Your support team includes a clinical investigator and a basic or behavioral scientist, along with a faculty mentoring committee aligned with your research interests.
The program is designed to help you:
- Develop and lead hypothesis-driven cancer research projects
- Build expertise in clinical trial design and translational research methods
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals
- Present work at national scientific meetings
- Prepare competitive applications for independent research funding
- Strengthen long-term careers in academic oncology research
As you progress through the program, you gain experience translating laboratory discoveries into clinical studies aimed at improving cancer diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. The program culminates in a Certificate in Clinical Translational Oncology Research.
CORP is intended for physicians with backgrounds in oncology-related specialties, including medical, surgical, pediatric, dermatologic, gynecologic, and radiation oncology, who are committed to advancing cancer research and improving patient care through scientific discovery.
Principal Investigator/Director: Gary Schwartz, MD, FASCO, Director, Case CCC; Vice Dean of Oncology, CWRU School of Medicine, gks37@case.edu
Co-Associate Directors:
Jordan M. Winter, MD, Chief of Surgical Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center; Professor, Department of Surgery, CWRU School of Medicine, jxw1173@case.edu
Daniel E. Spratt, MD, Chairman and Professor of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center/CWRU School of Medicine, Daniel.Spratt@UHhospitals.org
The Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC) Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) identifies, engages, and develops cohorts of leaders who reflect the diversity of our catchment area and nation to steward and ensure the future of Case CCC.
Program Components
- Upon completion of the program, ELP participants earn a Case CCC Certificate of Leadership developed in collaboration with the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) Weatherhead School of Management Executive MBA Program.
- The program consists of four courses—two required and two electives—completed over 18 months, with each course taking approximately 6 hours for a total of 24 hours. Classes are delivered in person and virtually. The customized curriculum is grounded in four key competencies: leadership, communication, strategy, and operations.
- Participants serve on the Emerging Leaders Council (ELC) to immediately apply their leadership skills and leverage access to additional leadership opportunities as they progress through the program.
- Participants contribute strategic insights to Case CCC leadership during meetings and forums and engage with internal and external leaders in the field of cancer research.
- Participants have the opportunity to build a reputation in the cancer research community, opening doors for further career and leadership opportunities.
- Tuition is covered by Case CCC.
Participant Criteria
- Case CCC members (full and associate) who are CWRU-affiliated Assistant or Associate Professors at the time they enter the ELP.
- A strong commitment to cancer research. Curious, creative, and keen to learn about effective leadership in their respective domains.
Inaugural Scholars
Randy Vince, MD, MS
Assistant Professor, Urology, CWRU School of Medicine (SOM)
Member, Population and Cancer Prevention Program, Case CCC
Joseph M. Luna, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, CWRU SOM
Member, Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics Program, Case CCC
Monica Wagner, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor, School of Nursing, CWRU
Member, Population and Cancer Prevention Program, Case CCC
Christopher Hubert, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, CWRU SOM
Member, Molecular Oncology Program, Case CCC
Jennifer Selfridge, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, CWRU SOM
Member, Developmental Therapeutics, Case CCC
Natalie Silver, MD, MS
Director, Head and Neck Cancer Research, Cleveland Clinic
Member, Immune Oncology Program, Case CCC
Dan Ma, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of BME, CWRU
Member, Cancer Imaging, Case CCC
Abhishek Chakraborty, PhD
Assistant Professor, CWRU SOM
Member, Cancer Genomics and Epigenomics Program, Case CCC
Yi Zhang, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, CWRU SOM
Member, Molecular Oncology Program, Case CCC
Melinda Hsu, MD
Assistant Professor, Hematology and Oncology, CWRU SOM
Member, Population and Cancer Prevention Program, Case CCC