UCLA Surgeon-Scientist Basic Cancer Research Training Program

Program Overview  

The UCLA Surgeon-Scientist Basic Cancer Research Training Program (UCLA Surgeon-Scientist BCRTP) is a competitive NIH/NCI-funded T32 training program that provides a rigorous curriculum and closely mentored, hands-on research experiences tailored to exceptional surgical residents dedicated to spending at least two years away from clinical duties and who are committed to a career as surgeon-scientists doing basic/translational research. The program prepares trainees to acquire the skills necessary to become leaders on NIH-funded, transdisciplinary teams focused on advancing cancer care. 

Given their unique understanding of surgical cancer care and access to precious patient samples, surgeon-scientists are ideally positioned to identify and address critical gaps in treatment. The BCRTP leverages UCLA’s state-of-the-art facilities, advanced research infrastructure, and extensive network of NIH-funded faculty to provide a structured and individualized training experience for two surgical residents per year. 

The UCLA Surgeon-Scientist BCRTP is the first of its kind at UCLA and the greater Los Angeles area. It represents a collaboration across six surgical departments - Surgery, Head and Neck, OB/GYN, Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, and Urology – and integrates training essential for surgeon-scientists in cancer biology, metabolism, immunology, imaging, bioinformatics, and translational therapeutics.  

This program includes structured instruction in responsible conduct of research, methods for enhancing reproducibility, technology development and intellectual property, and professional development in grant writing and leadership.  

Through this unique integration of mentorship, coursework, and research, the BCRTP aims to produce future leaders who will drive innovation in cancer research, technology development, and patient care.