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The Cancer Center recently awarded its first-ever Plan to Enhance Diverse Perspectives in Cancer Research (PEDPCR) supplemental funding grants, recognizing and supporting innovative faculty projects that incorporate diverse perspectives and promote inclusion and equity in cancer research.

More than $50,000 was awarded across three projects that demonstrated exceptional promise in advancing the scientific and technical merit of their work through a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion:

• Kristin Anderson, PhD, Assistant Professor of Microbiology, Immunology and Cancer Biology: “Overcoming Adenosine-mediated Suppression to Enhance the Anti-tumor Efficacy of Engineered T Cell Therapy” (supplement to an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant)

• Shayn Peirce-Cottler, PhD, Professor and Chair of Biomedical Engineering: “Endothelial Cell-Derived Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) as Regulators of Pancreatic Cancer Cell EMT” (supplement to a Cancer Center GI Translational Research Team Grant)

• Lakeshia Taite, PhD, Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering: “A Tunable Hydrogel Tumor Microenvironment to Refine Computational Modeling of EMT-associated YAP/TAZ Mechanotransduction” (supplement to UVA Center for Systems Analysis of Stress-adapted Cancer Organelles funding)

The new annual award was established under the leadership of Cancer Center Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Marquita Taylor, PhD, MPH, MBA, and supports its Plan to Enhance Diversity (PED), part of the National Cancer Institute’s primary Cancer Center Support Grant. In addition to research, the PED also guides Cancer Center strategies for career advancement, leadership development and mentorship opportunities, particularly for women, underrepresented minorities and trainees.

“Promoting diversity requires action at both individual and institutional levels. A diverse research environment encourages innovative thinking, scientific creativity, and improved research quality," Dr. Taylor said. “Research has shown that collaborative teams with diverse perspectives consistently outperform homogenous teams. UVA Cancer Center remains committed to creating an inclusive environment that supports the success of all its community members, both internally and externally.”

A PEDPCR is now required in all Cancer Center pilot grant proposals, and Dr. Taylor encourages all members to actively engage in strategies that promote diversity and inclusion in cancer research – including applying for the PED supplemental funding.

“By fostering an inclusive research environment, the Cancer Center aims to set a standard of excellence that embraces diverse perspectives, ultimately leading to more impactful scientific discoveries,” Dr. Taylor said.

For additional information on the PEDPCR requirements, supplemental funding, or the Cancer Center’s diversity initiatives, please contact Dr. Taylor at ksm3rt@uvahealth.org.