The Developmental Research Program will support new and highly innovative approaches to study head and neck cancer (HNC) with the aim of improving overall survival and quality of life for those with this disease. It is envisioned that the innovative developmental projects supported by this program will continue to impact HNC care by maturing into full projects that qualify as replacement projects for the Wisconsin HNC SPORE or successfully compete for other investigator-initiated extramural funding opportunities.
Director: Susan Thibeault, PhD
Professor of Surgery and
Communication Sciences and Disorders
University of Wisconsin
Co-Director: Timothy McCulloch, MD
Otolaryngologist
Professor of Surgery
University of Wisconsin
The Developmental Research Program of the Wisconsin Head and Neck SPORE seeks to fund pilot project applications that will:
- Attract experienced investigators to the field of Head and Neck Cancer (HNC)
- Promote basic, clinical, and translational HNC research
- Result in preliminary data to support successful competitive national grants (R01 or equivalent)
Proposed translational research is expected to address one or more of the following:
- Diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of HNC
- Improved understanding of underlying biological mechanisms of HNC
- Identification of novel biomarkers and/or imaging modalities in HNC
Please review our website to find more information regarding HNC research projects, previously awarded HN SPORE pilots, and resources available from the HN SPORE Biostats and Pathology/Biospecimen Cores.
ANNUAL PROJECT PERIOD: Aug. 1 – Jul. 31 (can submit for 2nd year competitive renewal)
LOI DEADLINE: Feb 24 (submit online)
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Mar 10 (submit online)
FUNDING LEVELS: $25,000-$50,000 per year (2nd year dependent on competitive renewal)
ELIGIBILITY: Funds from this program will support the UW Professor title series (including Assistant, Associate and full Professor).
The University of Wisconsin is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. The SPORE program places special emphasis on recruiting qualified women and minorities. Final recommendations for funding will be made by the DRP leadership and HN SPORE executive committees.
Application Resources
-
DRP detailed RFA
-
NIH Biosketch template
-
DRP Budget template
-
Budget justification template
-
HN SPORE Path Core
-
HN SPORE Biostats Core
-
Example DRP Pilot Awards
Standard Timeline:
- Feb 24: LOI due
- Mar 10: Application Due
- Jun: Awardees Notified
- Aug 1: Projects begin
DRP Award Summary
Award Year(s) |
PI (Bold)Co-Investigators |
Title |
Department |
20172018 |
Dave Beebe, PhDCo-I: P. Harari, MD |
Biomimetic Lymphatic Micromodel for Investigating Head and Neck Cancer Metastasis |
Biomedical Engineering |
20172018 (NCE)2019 |
Tabassum Kennedy, MDRichard Bruce, MD |
Integration of Research Imaging Repository with Head and Neck Cancer SPORE REDCap |
Radiology |
20172018 |
Randal Tibbetts, PhDCollaborator: R. Kimple, MD, PhD |
RIF1 splicing and chemoirradiation response in HN cancer |
Human Oncology |
20172018 |
Beth Weaver, PhDCollaborator: R. Kimple, MD, PhD |
Chromosomal instability in head and neck cancer |
Cell and Regenerative Biology |
2018 |
Peter Lewis, PhD |
Investigating aberrant Polycomb-mediated gene silencing in head and neck tumors |
Biomolecular Chemistry, Wisconsin Institute for Discovery |
20182019 |
Seungpyo Hong, PhDCo-I: R. Kimple, MD, PhD |
Effective detection and monitoring of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from HNSCC patients |
Pharmaceutical Sciences |
2019
|
Jacques Galipeau, PhDCo-I: R. Kimple, MD, PhD |
Intra-salivary gland autotransplantation of marrow mesenchymal stromal cells for treatment of radiation induced xerostomia |
Medicine |
2019 |
Randy Kimple, MD, PhDCo-I: I. Ong, PhD |
Comprehensive molecular appraoch to identifying therapeutic targets predictors of radiation resistance in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma |
Pharmaceutical Sciences |
2019 |
Alan McMillan, PhDPoonam Yadav, PhDCo-I: M. Witek, MD |
Improved Imaging of Head and Neck Cancer Using 0.35T MRI |
Radiology |
2019 |
Susan Thibeault, PhDCo-I: P. Lambert, PhD |
Development and Characterization of a Murine Laryngeal Papillomatosis Model |
Surgery |
2019
|
Nathan Welham, PhDCo-I: L. Li, PhD |
Mass spectrometry-based spatial mapping and characterization of proteins/glycans in laryngeal cancer in situ |
Surgery |
2019 |
Deric Wheeler, PhDCo-I: S. Hong, PhD |
Overcoming Axl Inhibitor Resistance Using a Novel, EGFR-targeted Nano-delivery System |
Human Oncology |
2020 |
Christopher Bradfield, PhDCo-I: D. Rubinstein, PhD |
Development of Mouse Models to Study Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling in Head and Neck Cancer |
Oncology |
2020 |
Seungpyo Hong, PhDCo-I: D. Wheeler, PhD |
Bispecific Nanocarriers for Synergistic Effect of Immunochemotherapy |
Pharmaceutical Sciences |
2020 |
Weiping Tang, PhD |
Development of small molecules that can selectively promote the degradation of STAT3 for the treatment of Head and Neck Cancer |
Pharmaceutical Sciences |
2020 |
Jamey Weichert, PhD |
Theranostic Use of Gadolinium Based Alkylphosphocholine to Overcome Radioresistance In Head and Neck Cancer |
Radiology |
2021 |
Jenny Gumperz, PhDOSC: R. Kimple, MD, PhD |
Activation of HNC patient T cells using a novel iNKT-DC conjugate cellular immunotherapy |
Medical Microbiology and Immunology |
2021 |
Beth Weaver, PhDCo-I: R. Kimple, MD, PhD |
A novel mechanism of radiosensitization by docetaxel in HNC |
Cell and Regenerative Biology |
DRP Review Committee
Member |
Department |
| Susan Thibeault, MD (Chair) | Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery |
| Paul Harari, MD (ex officio) | Human Oncology |
| Timothy McCulloch, MD | Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery |
| Shannon Kenney, PhD | Oncology |
| Paul Sondel, MD, PhD | Pediatrics, Human Oncology, Genetics |
| James Shull, PhD | Oncology |
| Menggang Yu, PhD | Biostatistics & Medical Informatics |
| Scott Perlman, MD, MS | Radiology, Nuclear Medicine |
| Shigeki Miyamoto, PhD | Oncology |
| Deric Wheeler, PhD | Human Oncology |