| GRANT
FOR PARTIAL FUNDING OF THE CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY 'YOUNG
PROSTATE RESEARCHERS SYMPOSIUM'.
Dr Hayley Whitaker Cancer Research UK - Cambridge Research Institute |
 |
Summary
A special symposium is being held in Cambridge in March 2009 to stimulate
networking and research between Young Prostate Researchers. This
initiative is funded by Prostate UK to promote outstanding science
and, ultimately, better treatments for prostate cancer patients.
The symposium will allow young scientists with expertise in different
areas of prostate cancer to find new ways of working together and
to start new initiatives and collaborations. These types of collaborations
often lead to new ideas that can progress very quickly. Currently,
there is no forum or meeting that specifically targets young researchers;
these individuals will lead the next generation of prostate research.
The Young Prostate Researchers Symposium will help to develop a network
to support and nurture these young scientists so that more prostate
cancer research is carried out in the future.
The symposium
The goal of this symposium is to stimulate top quality research and
new collaborations and networks among young investigators engaged
in prostate research in the UK. The symposium will bring together
young scientists working on basic, translational and clinical sciences
from all areas of prostate research. There are currently very limited
opportunities for interactions among young UK researchers in prostate
cancer, as there are few national meetings and none specifically
targeted at early stage researchers. Additionally, there is potential
for better links between young clinical and basic researchers; forming
such links among early stage investigators may promote long-term
clinical/basic research collaborations and help to increase translational
work in the future. The symposium will provide opportunities for
the career development of early stage researchers to help ensure
that they remain in the field and succeed in establishing independent
positions and funding. This will contribute to the development of
successful scientists that are essential to ensure a strong group
of investigators able to deliver internationally competitive research.
In the long term, this will lead to better treatments for prostate
cancer patients.
The Young Prostate Researchers Symposium planned for March 2009 in Cambridge, will provide an open, friendly forum to encourage communication and collaboration between prostate researchers. The symposium will be very inclusive, with attendance by as many early stage clinicians and scientists as possible. Researchers will be encouraged to present and discuss their novel, cutting edge research at the one day symposium. Constructive criticism and feedback from a peer group of young investigators will help inform presenters of how their work might compete in review, as publications or grant proposals. It will also help suggest new ideas and alternatives, and provide different perspectives. In addition to the short-term benefits of the Young Researchers Symposium it will encourage the development of a large cohesive peer group which will support and nurture young scientists in the future. It is hoped that this initial symposium will lead to further meetings of young investigators and perhaps new networks that can continue to build a strong basic and clinical research base in the UK.
Funding is requested primarily for catering and administration for the conference. We also hope to pay travel costs in the form of competitive bursaries for two young researchers who would otherwise be unable to attend the meeting. We have negotiated with CRUK to waive their fees for lecture theatre hire and an audio-visual technician for the meeting, this keeping costs down. Full costing details are attached.
In summary, the symposium will provide a novel opportunity for young researchers to form new links and collaborations, as well as helping their career development. The meeting will address a combination of both short term and long term career goals for the participants and provides an important opportunity for young scientists that will benefit them as well as the UK prostate community
Research summary, 21 August 2008.
Project 2007/53