Morgan Jones, MD, assistant professor and researcher in the University of Kentucky Division of Surgical Oncology, was selected as a recipient of a Career Development Award from the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials Award Program.
The Career Development Award (Winn CDA) is a two-year program created to support early-stage surgeon scientists in their development as independent clinical trial investigators. The program aims to encourage “greater diversity of physicians engaged in clinical research and advancing health equity.”
“As an early career member of our [Surgical Oncology] faculty, Dr. Jones has demonstrated expertise as a surgeon and great promise as a clinical researcher. The Winn Career Development Award is clear evidence that others recognize her tremendous potential. I am very proud of her.” commented Joseph Kim, MD, Division Chief of the UK Division of Surgical Oncology and a noted cancer research specialist.
According to the Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials website, “Only a small portion of underrepresented communities are involved in clinical trials.” The Winn CDA program supports a greater diversity of clinical investigators who will, in turn, develop community-based approaches to increase the diversity of subjects participating in clinical trials.
The Winn CDA award provides $120,000 annually for two years to institutions sponsoring these developing researchers. The expectation is that these funds will be used to enable its participants to devote 40 percent of their professional time learning about community-oriented clinical trials under the mentorship of an experienced clinical investigator.
Dr. Jones’s mentor is Reema Patel, MD, assistant professor in the UK Division of Medical Oncology, who is currently running a GENOCARE clinical trial in the research branch of Markey Cancer Center.
While involved with the program, Dr. Jones hopes to use this experience to inform the design of a pilot trial centered on breast cancer. Her specific interests are in triple-negative breast cancer, disparities in treatment outcomes, and tumor microenvironments. “I will use what I learn in these next two years to design an equitable and community-oriented clinical trial,” Dr. Jones said.
Winn CDA recipients are also expected to provide mentorship to medical students. A Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) is available to medical students. Among her goals during her two years, Dr. Jones hopes she might inspire UK medical students to apply for participation in the Winn CIPP.