The Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program (Winn Awards) in collaboration with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)

November 15-19, 2023
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines 
La Jolla, California

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

Steering Committee

Elliott M. Antman, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
Peter A. Calabresi, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland
Marcia R. Cruz-Correa, University of Puerto Rico School of Medicine, San Juan, Puerto Rico
Nancy E. Davidson, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington
Carmen E. Guerra, Abramson Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Ruben A. Mesa, Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

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.

Learn more on the winn cda website

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.