Young Investigator Symposium

The Young Investigator Symposium is a professional mentoring event that takes place at the semiannual ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group meeting in October or November. The symposium, inaugurated in 2001 by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG), introduces young investigators to ECOG-ACRIN, providing them with the opportunity to give a 10-minute oral presentation of their research project and respond to questions. Through this event, young investigators meet experienced investigators, learn about potential research opportunities early in their career, and furnish the ECOG-ACRIN community with new research approaches.

While at the group meeting, young investigators are invited to observe scientific committee meetings, participate in educational sessions for clinical trial professionals, and network one-on-one with attendees. Like the question and answer session during the symposium itself, these interactions are valuable to young investigators, given that the more senior, long-standing ECOG-ACRIN researchers and investigators have broad experience in clinical research disciplines and translational science.

Awardees do not receive research grant funding; however, ECOG-ACRIN covers travel and lodging costs associated with attendance at the group meeting.

Selection and Award Process

Up to eight young investigators are chosen annually by the Mentoring Program Committee to be a symposium presenter. Criteria used to judge the applications include scientific innovation, significance, and ultimate potential for clinical impact.

Awards of distinctions are given annually to two presenters. Following the symposium, the Mentoring Program Committee meets to evaluate the presentations, taking into consideration the merit of the research, quality of the presentation delivery, command of the research topic, and ability to respond to research-related questions. The two recipients of the awards of distinction are announced and recognized at the group meeting’s General Session, the plenary event of the group meeting when all attendees gather together.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for consideration, an individual must meet all of the following criteria:

• Currently in post-graduate training, or has completed post-graduate training within the last 10 years
• Engaged in clinical, translational, or basic cancer research or in non-cancer related research that has application to cancer biology, prevention, screening, diagnosis, imaging, or treatment
• Conducting research at, or working under a mentor at, an institution that is a member of the ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group or other research group addressing cancer in adults in the National Clinical Trials Network, which is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute’s National Clincial Trials Network
• Able to present research that is not entirely duplicative of work already published in the medical literature or presented at a major scientific meeting (eg American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Society of Hematology, Radiological Society of North America), or that is reporting substantive new information since publication/presentation

In clinical research, ECOG-ACRIN encourages applications from individuals working in therapeutic and medical imaging disciplines such as medical, surgical, and radiation oncology; hematology; radiology; nuclear medicine; internal medicine; and preventive medicine. In translational science, it encourages applications from individuals working in disciplines such as laboratory-based pathology, genetics, molecular biology, and experimental imaging. Individuals working in other related disciplines are also encouraged to apply; these include statistics, bioinformatics, clinical psychology, behavioral sciences, epidemiology, and health services.

Application Guidelines

Interested individuals who meet the eligibility criteria can apply by submitting a completed ECOG-ACRIN Young Investigator Symposium Abstract Submission Form via email. Generally, the submission period opens on or about June 1st each year and closes at the end of August.

The form requires applicants to provide their institutional and cooperative group affiliations, title of the research topic, other authors names and institutions (if applicable), and an abstract briefly describing the research. The research abstract must not exceed 2800 characters (approximately 400 words), including spaces, but not author names or institutions. Supporting materials, such as reference listings and tables and/or figures, may be included in the application.

Submission Instructions

• Download and save the form locally (to your own computer) as a document with a unique file name. Applicants must save the form locally to preserve the content for subsequent editing.
• Attach the completed form to an email, along with optional supporting materials. All documents MUST be included in the same email as the application form to be considered (ie, do not submit them in separate emails).
• Address the email to the Mentoring Program Administrator (see below)
• Await a reply email from the administrative contact confirming receipt of the application. If confirmation is not received within two days, call 215.789.3609 for assistance.

Contact

Submit research abstract forms for and direct inquiries about the Young Investigator Symposium to:

Deborah Deal
Mentoring Program Administrator
ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group
Phone: 215.789.3609
Email: gro.nirca-gocenull@laedd

Recipients

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

Recipients from 2001, when the event started, through 2011, are forthcoming.