Johns Hopkins is a participating site in the Developmental and Hyperactive Ras Tumor, or DHART, SPORE. This SPORE program has the goal of improving the diagnosis and management of tumors arising in persons with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other inherited rasopathy syndromes through basic, translational, and clinical research. These tumors include plexiform neurofibroma, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor, optic track glioma, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia, and subsequent malignant neoplasms caused by prior exposure to mutagenic chemotherapy and/or radiation.
Research proposals investigating the role of somatic NF1 mutations in cancers such as glioblastoma, adenocarcinoma of the lung, melanoma, breast cancer, and myeloid leukemia are also of substantial interest.
Two programs are accepting applications now:
- Developmental Research Program (DRP)
- Career Enhancement Program (CEP)
Requirements for both are a research question pertinent to the disease areas outlined above and a focus on translational science. Both are 12-month awards with the potential to extend to 24 months if there is robust progress and high-impact findings. Both support funding at $50,000-$75,000/year that can be used for salary of the PI (up to 10% of the NIH cap), other research personnel, supplies, or small equipment (funds cannot be used to purchase large equipment). For both awards, faculty members from underrepresented-in-medicine groups are strongly encouraged to apply. The application deadline is Oct. 4, 2019.
For an application and more information, go to the DHART SPORE website.
