Drexel University/Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium
In 2013, Drexel University College of Medicine formed a partnership with Thomas Jefferson University called the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium to collaboratively pursue scientific research in the fight against cancer. The research consortium was approved by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the federal government’s principal agency for cancer research and training.
More than 10 years later, the main goal of the research consortium remains -- to produce the next wave of cancer research and treatments through shared resources across institutions. It also brings together a diverse group of researchers, clinicians and population scientists who are committed to making an impact, by fostering direct access to cancer care and novel research studies in our communities. In April 2024, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center became an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center. This recognition places the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center among a select group of 57 centers across the country that have earned this esteemed status. The role of NCI-designated cancer centers is focused on the prevalent cancers affecting their local population; for the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center, that area is a multi-county region of over 6 million individuals in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. This region notably experiences higher rates of breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancers.
Today, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium includes seven Drexel colleges and schools including the College of Medicine, the Dornsife School of Public Health, the College of Nursing and Health Professions, the School of Biomedical Engineering, Science and Health Systems, the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Computing and Informatics and the College of Engineering.
Drexel University brings substantial strength to the research consortium in viral oncogenesis, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and geospatial analysis which adds important new dimensions to cancer research.
The mission of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium is to improve the lives of cancer patients and their families through compassion, innovation and breakthrough discoveries.
Collaboration among top-tier institutions, which enables the sharing of resources, knowledge and expertise, is a major benefit of the research consortium, as well as fostering the ability to conduct innovative research and develop new treatments for cancer care.
Broader Clinical Trial Access for Patients:
Cancer patients have access to a broader range of clinical trials. This includes innovative therapies that may not be available to them outside of the research consortium. Both increase the odds of finding effective treatments, improving outcomes, and higher survival rates for cancer patients.
Sharing Resources Accelerates Research:
Sophisticated technologies, data and bio-specimens can be shared by member institutions of the research consortium. This collaborative approach of sharing resources accelerates research by equipping researchers with essential resources and eliminating duplicated efforts.
Expanded Opportunities for Funding:
As a member institution, being part of a prestigious research consortium enhances the competitiveness and potential success of grant proposals for the institutions involved. Collaborative efforts can attract more substantial funding from both governmental and private sources.
Education and Training for the Next Generation of Researchers and Clinicians:
The Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Research Consortium provides the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians with robust education and training environments.
Accelerated Discovery – From the Bench to Bedside:
The research consortium can accelerate discovery through the sharing of resources, which means that new treatments and diagnostics can move at a quicker pace from the laboratory to the clinic, potentially saving more lives.
IMPACT PHL, the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center’s new five-year plan, has five inter-connected pillars that provide the organizational foundation for the goals, strategies, and day-to-day decisions. Continuing to collaborate with Drexel University and harnessing its capabilities is a vital aspect of the future growth of the research consortium.
As a consortium member of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Thomas Jefferson University, Drexel University faculty members are permitted to use the following resources at a reduced rate:
Potential members will be expected to provide:
- Current copy of their complete curriculum vitae including bibliography
- NIH biosketch
- NIH formatted Other Support file
- Recent headshot
- Statement about how their research is relevant to cancer
- List of keyword terms associated with their research
Guidelines for membership:
Membership connects the scientific community across the consortium. Members are expected to maintain a minimum level of their own research activities, as well as a minimum level of engagement with the cancer center. Two levels of membership exist:
FULL MEMBERS
Full Members must hold an academic appointment and are expected to:
- Cancer Research Funding OR Engagement with Clinical Research
- Stewardship: Participate in meetings, retreats, committees, community outreach, and philanthropic events.
- myNCBI account: Reporting of scientific discoveries is essential for maintaining NCI-Designation. All members must manage their own myNCBI account to ensure compliance with all NCI and NIH requirements. Failure to do so may negatively impact the CCSG submission.
- Acknowledge the CCSG and Shared Resources: All members must acknowledge the CCSG in all scientific research papers. If the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center Shared Resources were used, they also must be acknowledged.
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Individuals who do not meet the criteria for Full membership but have an academic appointment and interest in cancer related projects with a commitment to apply for cancer focused funding or open cancer focused clinical trials.
Download Membership Information [pdf]
Apply Here
Kenny J. Simansky, PhD
Senior Vice Dean for Research, College of Medicine
ks42@drexel.edu
Noreen Robertson, DMD
Senior Associate Vice Dean for Research
nmr26@drexel.edu
Alessandro Fatatis, MD, PhD
Professor of Pharmacology and Physiology; Associate Director for Basic Research at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
af39@drexel.edu
Mauricio Reginato, PhD
Professor and Chair of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Program Leader in the Translational Cellular Oncology Program at Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
mjr53@drexel.edu
Brian Wigdahl, PhD
Professor and Chair of Microbiology and Immunology; Co-director of the Cancer Genomics Shared Resource for Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
bw45@drexel.edu
Annette B. Gadegbeku, MD
Associate Professor; Senior Associate Dean, Community Health and Inclusive Excellence; Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center
abg36@drexel.edu
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