Career Enhancement Program (CEP): 2023-2024 Awardees

Vishal Chandra, PhD

Assistant Professor, Section of Gynecologic Oncology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences

Project Title: Targeting Obesity and Progesterone Resistance in Endometrial Cancer

Deirdre Hill, PhD

Research Assistant Professor
School of Medicine
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center

Project Title: Assessing etiology and survival by endometrial cancer histology

Career Enhancement Program Directors


Hua-Ying Fan, PhD

Associate Professor
Division of Molecular Medicine
University of New Mexico

Project Title: Repurposing Auranofin: A Novel Notch Pathway Inhibitor in Endometrial Cancer Therapy

Lindsay Kuroki, MD

Associate Professor
Division of Gynecologic Oncology
Washington University in St. Louis

Project Title: Molecular classification of early stage endometrial cancer: Prognosis and treatment efficacy, a GOG-249 ancillary study

Bethany Hannafon, PhD

Assistant Professor
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
University of Oklahoma Health Sciences

Project Title: Targeting Immunometabolism and Inflammation-mediated Immune Escape in Endometrial Cancer

Developmental Research Program Directors


CEP/DRP Expectations and Opportunities

  • Consistently attend SPORE meetings
  • Present to the SPORE Internal and External Advisory Boards
  • Present at least once per year at a Route 66 SPORE Monthly Meeting to receive feedback and guidance
  • Fully develop and submit at least one extramural grant application, with guidance available from SPORE colleagues and CEP and DRP leadership

For the Career Enhancement Program

  • Devote at least 25% of their time to translational endometrial cancer research (15% for established investigators)
  • Attend at least one national SPORE meeting each year, as appropriate
  • Present posters at the annual NCI Translational Science Meeting or equivalent