November 18-22, 2024
Greater Richmond Convention Center
Richmond, Virginia

2025 Workshop Applicants

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Program Codirectors

Roy S. Herbst, Yale University Cancer Center, New Haven, Connecticut
Priscilla Pemu, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
Yu Shyr, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee
Robert A. Winn, VCU Massey Cancer Center, Richmond, Virginia

The Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Career Development Award (Winn CDA), supported by the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, is a 2-year program designed to support the career development of early-stage investigator (as defined by NIH) physicians from diverse backgrounds, and physicians who have a demonstrated commitment to increasing diversity in clinical research, to become independent clinical trial investigators who are engaged in advancing health equity through their research and mentoring. Currently, our clinical research areas include cancer (hematology and oncology), cardiovascular disease and immunologic disorders.

The Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Design and Implementation of Clinical Trials Workshop in partnership with the AACR (Winn-AACR DICT Workshop) is a multidisciplinary, intensive Workshop offered exclusively to recipients of the Robert A. Winn Career Development Award (Winn CDA). The goal of the 2-year Winn CDA is to increase the diversity of patients enrolled in clinical trials, and ultimately to enhance the development of therapeutics for all populations.

The Winn-AACR DICT Workshop introduces underrepresented early-stage investigators (ESIs) and physicians who have a demonstrated commitment to increasing diversity in clinical research, to the principles of effective clinical trial design, development, implementation, and community engagement. Participating Scholars will be provided with the educational foundation and tools needed to conduct clinical trials that will have the potential to increase the participation of diverse populations in clinical trials and ultimately impact patient care. 

The Workshop will address the frequent disconnect between underserved communities and clinical trialists by teaching effective methods that create structures for communities to help refine clinical questions and trials for improved patient benefit. It aims to empower Scholars to bridge the gap between clinical researchers and the communities they serve by utilizing highly innovative approaches to clinical research. 

After the Workshop, participating Scholars will continue to meet with their Workshop Faculty Mentors throughout the 2-year Winn CDA Program. Scholars will meet with Faculty and peers in a total of four (4) remote mentoring consultations where they will be advised on the development of a clinical trial concept and protocol. Workshop Faculty will also provide guidance on the Scholars’ professional development in areas such as scientific writing, publications, grant writing, oral presentation methodology, etc. While these mentoring calls are a required element of the overall Program, Scholars and Workshop Faculty are encouraged to facilitate additional mentoring during and after the two-year program cycle.