OUR MEMBERSHIP
An ecosystem of discovery
Membership to the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) is available to Purdue faculty and collaborators who demonstrate independent, cancer-focused research and a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration. Members benefit from access to pilot funding, shared resources, scientific community, and opportunities to contribute to strategic institute initiatives. Membership is reviewed and granted based on research excellence, alignment with PICR’s goals, and contributions to team science.
PICR invites faculty to apply to join us in collaborative cancer research
We bring together experts across disciplines to defeat cancer.
Selection of members for the institute’s scientific programs is one of the most critical decisions made by leadership. Functional and productive scientific programs select individuals for their scientific excellence and, just as importantly, for their commitment to work together to further the scientific goals of the institute. The expectation is that members will have peer-reviewed, funded research programs; however, in cases where unfunded members make significant contributions to the research objectives of the institute, their roles will be carefully considered.
Collaborators from other National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers or research institutions may be institute program members. The funded research projects of these members do not count toward the funding base of the program or the institute, but publications arising from these projects may be counted toward the overall productivity of the program to which they are assigned. All membership categories require academic appointments at either the tenure track, research track (must demonstrate independent research), or clinical track at Purdue University or from a member at another NCI-designated cancer center.
Current trainees are encouraged to apply for membership at the PICR
The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) offers trainee membership to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers actively engaged in research activities at PICR.
Trainee members gain access to a range of benefits designed to support scientific training, foster interdisciplinary collaboration within our community, and advance professional development opportunities.
Trainee membership benefits include:
- Participation in PICR Cancer Research Day: Our flagship event that offers members an opportunity to present research, engage with faculty and peers, and explore advancements in cancer science.
- Access to training, education, and enrichment activities: Seminars, workshops, and educational events organized by PICR are open to trainee members
- Eligibility for membership in the PICR Graduate Trainee Organization: A community of students and postdoctoral researchers dedicated to advancing cancer research.
- Invitations to the PICR Journal Club: A forum for discussing current literature and emerging research in oncology to foster a deeper understanding of the frontiers of cancer research.
- Eligibility for internal funding programs: Including travel grants and research assistantships that support continued academic and scientific growth.
Current trainees are encouraged to become members of the PICR. Membership supports both individual development and the broader mission of the institute to foster collaborative, discovery-driven cancer research. Applications may be submitted through the Trainee Membership Application Portal.
For questions about trainee membership, please contact Training and Education Program Manager Sara Strasser at sstrasse@purdue.edu.
Membership guidelines and criteria
To navigate the application process of becoming a full, associate or affiliate member of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, please see the criteria and guidelines below.
Full members* must meet at least two of the following criteria:
Principal or co-investigator (% effort) on peer-reviewed, cancer-related grants from the approved NCI list of external agencies
- Investigators with an active history of cancer-related, collaborative publications within the past two years
- Investigators with an active history of cancer-related funding in the past four years and who are in the process of seeking cancer-related funding from the approved NCI list of external agencies
- Serve in a leadership role at the institute
- Value-added collaborative complement to cancer-related research such as, but not limited to pathology, radiology, comparative oncology and data sciences
- Newly recruited† junior faculty with cancer-focused research that do not yet have cancer-related grants from the approved NCI list of external agencies
- Newly recruited† junior faculty with an active history of cancer-related publications
* All membership categories require academic appointments (research, clinical or tenured/tenure track) at Purdue University or from a member at an NCI-designated cancer center.
† This category includes individuals who have received, in collaboration with an academic unit, direct financial support or research space from the institute as part of a recruitment package.
The associate member* demonstrates an interest in cancer-related research but does not qualify as a full member. Associate members are invited to attend program meetings and events to encourage development of collaborative cancer research. Associate members do not qualify for institute-supported rates when using shared institute resources; however, the institute encourages associate members to be co-investigators with full members and/or other associate members on the institute’s internal peer-reviewed funding mechanisms to promote and build emerging cancer-focused research.
Associate members also may include current faculty in institutional leadership positions or retired/senior faculty (i.e. emeriti) who contribute to the overall mission of the institute. These faculty retain interest and participation in institute activities. Associate members do not contribute to Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG)-related metrics.
* All membership categories require academic appointments (research, clinical or tenured/tenure track) at Purdue University or from a member at an NCI-designated cancer center.
† This category includes individuals who have received, in collaboration with an academic unit, direct financial support or research space from the institute as part of a recruitment package.
The affiliate member* is engaged in cancer-related research as documented by a strong record of peer-reviewed publications with direct relevance to cancer in active collaboration with a full member. This membership will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will include those at other NCI-designated cancer centers or research institutions. If the evidence of strong collaboration dissipates, then the membership of the candidate will be re-evaluated.
* All membership categories require academic appointments (research, clinical or tenured/tenure track) at Purdue University or from a member at an NCI-designated cancer center.
† This category includes individuals who have received, in collaboration with an academic unit, direct financial support or research space from the institute as part of a recruitment package.
Consideration for any membership level can be initiated by nomination from a full member or department head or by recommendation from the appropriate institute program leader. Individuals applying for membership should submit an application via the application portal. The application must include the following files:
- Nomination letter
- Statement describing the scope and relevance of the individual’s cancer-related research (no more than two pages)
- Current NIH biographical sketch with current/recent and completed grant support
The application will be reviewed by the appropriate program leadership who will then meet with the applicant. The program leaders will provide a recommendation for membership, including a justification of fit at the institute and in the respective program to the executive committee. The executive committee will vote on whether to recommend the application for membership to the institute director, who will make the final decision.
Full members
- Institute-supported rates when using shared resources
- Eligibility for internal, competitive, peer-reviewed funding programs
- Leadership opportunities where appropriate and available
Associate member
- Access to internal, competitive, peer-reviewed funding programs
- Committee service privileges
- Invitation and inclusion in institute activities
There is significant reporting associated with the NCI-Cancer Center Support Grant. Accepting membership in the institute indicates a willingness to supply information related to research direction, grants, shared resource use, and publications to the program leaders, senior leaders, and institute administration.
The effectiveness of the Institute for Cancer Research and its continued designation as an NCI-designated cancer center is measured by:
- The research successes of its members
- The productivity and value-added research support of core facilities
- Interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary collaborations among the members
- Active participation in institute events and symposia. The institute uses these events to promote collaboration among its members
- Participation in the training and education of students and associated activities
- Participation in internal center review committees and other ad hoc committees
- Participation in internal center review committees and other ad hoc committees
Institute members will be reviewed at appropriate intervals by the executive committee. Members will be expected to meet membership criteria for their respective membership category, as evidenced by continued productivity in cancer-related research (peer-reviewed publications; currently active, cancer-related peer-reviewed funding; training activities in cancer research and education; national and community service, including study sections, consultation to NCI, etc.) and service to the institute (administrative contributions; committees, in-house peer-review activities; community/educational activities). A letter of change in membership status will be communicated to the member by the Office of the Director.
FACULTY MEMBERSHIP CONTACT
Questions about membership?
For questions or more information, contact:
Douglas Cuttell
Senior Managing Director
765-494-5022
Driven by ideas, defined by impact
Our members push the boundaries of cancer science, from decoding molecular mechanisms to developing new technologies and treatments. Explore the discoveries shaping our research enterprise and see how collaboration fuels innovation across disciplines.
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Phone: 765-494-9129
Fax: 765-494-9193
Email: cancerresearch@purdue.edu
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Hansen Life Sciences Bldg, Rm. 141
West Lafayette, IN 47907