Developmental Research Program (DRP)

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.

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:

  1. Diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of HNC
  2. Improved understanding of underlying biological mechanisms of HNC
  3. 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

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

2017

2018

Dave Beebe, PhD

Co-I: P. Harari, MD

Biomimetic Lymphatic Micromodel for Investigating Head and Neck Cancer Metastasis

Biomedical Engineering

2017

2018 (NCE)

2019

Tabassum Kennedy, MD

Richard Bruce, MD

Integration of Research Imaging Repository with Head and Neck Cancer SPORE REDCap

Radiology

2017

2018

Randal Tibbetts, PhD

Collaborator: R. Kimple, MD, PhD

RIF1 splicing and chemoirradiation response in HN cancer

Human Oncology

2017

2018

Beth Weaver, PhD

Collaborator: R. Kimple, MD, PhD
Collaborator: P. Lambert, 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

2018

2019

Seungpyo Hong, PhD

Co-I: R. Kimple, MD, PhD

Effective detection and monitoring of Circulating Tumor Cells (CTCs) from HNSCC patients

Pharmaceutical Sciences

2019
2020

Jacques Galipeau, PhD

Co-I: R. Kimple, MD, PhD
Co-I: S. Thibeault
Co-I: N. Rogus-Pulia

Intra-salivary gland autotransplantation of marrow mesenchymal stromal cells for treatment of radiation induced xerostomia

Medicine

2019

Randy Kimple, MD, PhD

Co-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, PhD

Poonam Yadav, PhD

Co-I: M. Witek, MD
Co-I: G. Avey, MD
Co-I: P. Mahler, MD, PhD

Improved Imaging of Head and Neck Cancer Using 0.35T MRI

Radiology

2019

Susan Thibeault, PhD

Co-I: P. Lambert, PhD
OSC: R. King
OSC: A. Bilger

Development and Characterization of a Murine Laryngeal Papillomatosis Model

Surgery

2019
2020

Nathan Welham, PhD

Co-I: L. Li, PhD
Co-I: X. Shi, MD, PhD
Collaborator: R. Hu, MD, PhD

Mass spectrometry-based spatial mapping and characterization of proteins/glycans in laryngeal cancer in situ

Surgery

2019

Deric Wheeler, PhD

Co-I: S. Hong, PhD
Co-I: I. Li, PhD
Co-I: R. Kimple, MD, PhD

Overcoming Axl Inhibitor Resistance Using a Novel, EGFR-targeted Nano-delivery System

Human Oncology

2020

Christopher Bradfield, PhD

Co-I: D. Rubinstein, PhD

Development of Mouse Models to Study Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Signaling in Head and Neck Cancer

Oncology

2020

Seungpyo Hong, PhD

Co-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, PhD

OSC: R. Kimple, MD, PhD
OSC: H. Dinh, PhD

Activation of HNC patient T cells using a novel iNKT-DC conjugate cellular immunotherapy

Medical Microbiology and Immunology

2021

Beth Weaver, PhD

Co-I: R. Kimple, MD, PhD
Co-I: J.Y. Bruce, MD
Co-I: P. Cosper, 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