Our Program
The London Strategic Training Initiative in Cancer Research and Technology Transfer (CaRTT)
The London Regional Cancer Program, Western Department of Oncology, Lawson Health Research Institute and Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry have joined forces to create the London Strategic Training Initiative in Cancer Research and Technology Transfer (CaRTT). CaRTT provides:
Training in cancer science and treatment to CaRTT Scholars. CaRTT provides trans-disciplinary training links among basic and clinical researchers. Cancer research training experience is given to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students; postdoctoral Fellows; basic and clinical faculty members from all disciplines relevant to cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up; clinicians and clinical trainees concerned with cancer and related chronic diseases; members of community groups engaged in fundraising and cancer awareness and education; and principals of private sector companies developing cancer drugs and treatments. A course given in partnership with the Richard Ivey School of Business also brings basic cancer research trainees and the business world into productive contact with each other.
Training in development of interdisciplinary partnerships. Trainees supervised by CaRTT Mentors (who are all faculty of Western University) are eligible to apply for competitive entry into CaRTT. A 65 member CaRTT Mentor team has been created and undergoes continual renewal as new Mentors are added. Success in creating and using links among basic, clinical, and private sector partners to translate knowledge into cancer care applications is a major factor in selecting Mentors.
Stipends for MSc and PhD trainees. CaRTT Trainees are provided with living stipends composed of a combination of funds from the private sector and the London Health Sciences Centre, Western University and other agencies providing competitive stipend support.
“Meet-and-interact” programs for research sponsors, researchers-in-training, and senior researchers in basic and clinical sciences to speed the transfer of information from basic laboratories to the private sector, the clinic, and the community. CaRTT brings trainees and Mentors together to understand and emulate cancer research successes from Canada and around the world, present their own research findings, and critically consider how to enhance cancer research that promotes discovery and application of discovery to improve the lives of cancer patients.
We have created:
- An Annual Cancer Research and Education Day,
- An Annual Retreat to consider and recommend improvements to CaRTT,
- Monthly Translational Cancer Research Seminars,
- Mandatory courses in transdisciplinary and translational cancer research to provide trainees with strategies to advance their discoveries to applications, and
- Community outreach (talks and interactions with volunteer, public interest, fundraising, patient information, health care support teams, private sector groups, and the like) to involve those who support and benefit from cancer research in the process.
Individuals wishing to apply to become CaRTT Scholars must first be accepted into an accredited MSc, PhD or clinical postgraduate program at Western University. Their supervisors must be Mentors of CaRTT.
