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COBRE CCRD's Vision
By Douglas Hixson, PhD
You see things and say "Why?" but I dream things that never were and say "Why Not?" -George Bernard Shaw, philosopher
The COBRE Center for Cancer Research Development, the first of its kind in Rhode Island, will become the driving force that leads to the development of a cancer research center Nationally recognized for its innovative and groundbreaking research. Through the dedicated efforts of its members, the COBRE CCRD will uncover critical steps in cancer development that unlock the door of possibility for better diagnostic, prognostic and treatment options. By providing state-of-the-art technology, senior faculty mentoring and an infrastructure that offers multiple opportunities for academic and professional growth, the COBRE CCRD with foster the progression of young scientists into independent investigators supported by peer-reviewed grants. The COBRE CCRD will also act as a catalyst for programmatic development by bringing together a critical mass of junior and senior investigators with common interests in one or more of four different research themes. It is envisioned that these common interest groups will expand into separate but interactive programs within the COBRE CCRD, each with their own Program Director and Coordinator. The energy of achievement will be sustained by the passion of Center investigators for their own research, and the benefits realized from the synergism that arises between talented investigators committed to making it possible for patients to confront cancer with hope and optimism rather than fear and despair. In its quest for answers, the COBRE CCRD will embrace all possibilities, not just those that are scientifically safe or financially prudent. Innovation, creativity, and persistence will be the attributes that drive the COBRE CCRD towards excellence and garner recognition for its scientific achievements. When adversity is encountered, the Center will concentrate on the solution rather than the problem that often obscures the way to success will conquer it.
The COBRE CCRD will play a major and essential role in the genesis of the first NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in the state of Rhode Island. The Comprehensive Cancer Center at Rhode Island Hospital will be scientifically linked to the COBRE CCRD by the Translational Research arm of the COBRE CCRD. Testing of promising new diagnostic/prognostic assays or treatments based on agents that target specific genes intimately involved in the malignant phenotype will be facilitated and coordinated by COBRE CCRD through the Brown University Oncology Group (BrUOG), a group of talented Oncologists experienced in clinical trials and protocol development. Trials will be carried out on an outpatient basis in the newly established Rhode Island Hospital Clinical Research Center-a required component of NCI-designated Center. Modern research and clinical facilities located in the APC building on Rhode Island Hospital Campus will house the NCI-designated Cancer Center in its entirety including the research labs, the Administrative, Proteomics and Molecular Pathology Cores for the COBRE CCRD, a newly established Center for Bioinformatics, supported by Federal and local funds, and the Comprehensive Clinical Cancer Center which will rapidly evolve into a comprehensive treatment center that is the equal of its counterparts in Boston, New York and Connecticut.
The COBRE CCRD will grow to be an important part of the Rhode Island community and will become a centerpiece with National visibility that all Rhode Islanders can be proud of and contribute to. Interested patients and citizens will get to know the COBRE CCRD through its website, a user friendly portal providing access to information about COBRE CCRD, articles in every day language describing exciting discoveries, biographical highlights of new investigators, announcement of public seminars and other activities of general interest. The Center will continually reach out to the community through informal luncheons, and open houses to demonstrate new technologies, tour new facilities and to discuss dreams for the future. Successful grassroots fundraising activities with the emphasis on "fun" will provide ongoing opportunities for volunteers to play a more direct role in helping the COBRE CCRD make this vision a reality.
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