The Symposium
The AACR Associate Member Council seeks institutional nominations of young investigators as speakers for the Future Leaders Special Symposium, to be held during the AACR 100th Annual Meeting, April 18-22, 2009 in Denver, CO. Selected speakers will be invited to present a 15-20 minute platform presentation, and be introduced by a prominent senior researcher within their field. This special symposium has been developed in conjunction with the leaders of the AACR to highlight outstanding early-career scientists in cancer research whose work reflects innovation, scientific independence, motivation, and creativity.
Selected candidates will be considered Invited Speakers at the Annual Meeting, receiving complimentary registration and reimbursement of eligible expenses related to meeting attendance.
Now in its third year, this special symposium was created in 2007 at the request of Dr. Geoffrey M. Wahl, then President of the AACR, to showcase the best and brightest among trainee researchers in the cancer fields.
Eligibility for Nomination
Institutional nomination by the Cancer Center Director, Dean, or equivalent is required for consideration. Each institution may submit up to two nominees, who may be graduate students, medical students or residents, clinical fellows, or postdoctoral fellows. Junior faculty are not eligible for nomination, including trainees expected to advance to junior faculty status prior to the Symposium.
If the institution submits two nominations, the nominees must be representatives of different areas of cancer research (e.g., basic laboratory researchers, clinicians, translational researchers, epidemiologists, etc.)
The AACR seeks those whose work may open new directions in cancer research and accelerate progress in the field. Importantly, the nominations should reflect the achievements of the nominees rather than the supervising lab or investigator.
Nomination Package
- A letter of nomination from the dean, director, or designated leader of the cancer research organization, including the institutional selection process used to choose the nominees;
- A letter of support from the nominee's principal investigator/mentor that specifically describes the independent contributions of the nominee, and their innovation, creativity, and motivation;
- An extended abstract (prepared by the nominee) which includes background; methods, results; and conclusions;
- A narrative (prepared by the nominee) which includes a description of the impact or potential impact of the work; a description of innovation/novelty; and a description of the nominee's independent contribution; and
- The nominee's curriculum vitae including prior research awards, grants, abstracts, full publications history and contact information. The NCI short form will not be accepted.
Nominations are closed. Nomination materials were due Thursday, October 30, 2008 to mona.shater@aacr.org. If you have any questions, please contact Mona Shater, Program Assistant, Program Administration, at (267) 646-0654.
Evaluation Criteria
Nominees will be evaluated on scientific merit, research design, innovation, and independent contribution.
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Scientific merit
Is the question important to the field? Is there a strong rationale for the study? Does the study add significantly to the existing body of knowledge?
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Research design
Are techniques sufficient/appropriate/superfluous? Does the design lead to the researcher's conclusions? Are there appropriate controls?
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Innovation
Is this a novel question? Does the research propose a new paradigm or challenge existing paradigms? Does the research look at existing problems from new perspectives? Is this a novel analysis? Was an existing method utilized or adapted in a novel way? Does the research exhibit other uniquely creative qualities?
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Independent contribution
How is this work distinguished from that of the supervising lab? Was a new potential outcome identified? Was a new method developed and/or applied?
Selection
Nomination materials will be reviewed by the 13 members of the Associate Member Council, and selected finalists may also be asked to participate in a telephone interview. Determination of the four candidates who will be invited to present at the special symposium will be made in conjunction with the Annual Meeting Program Committee.