The Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development (CCRTD) was developed as a vehicle of communication and collaboration for scientists at Clark Atlanta University who are interested in any aspect of cancer research. The CCRTD is currently solely supported by the Research Center in Minority Institutions (RCMI) program of the National Center for Research Resources at the National Institutes of Health.

The scientists whose work is profiled on this site represent the core group for the CCRTD whose work is currently funded by the RCMI program. The biomedical research projects range from studies on signal transduction mechanisms to the development of better drug delivery systems. To this core group is added other scientists at the University who are involved in projects that complement and enhance the work of this core group. In addition, we are currently working to recruit social and behavioral scientists who will explore the ethical, legal and social implications of biomedical research in general and cancer research in particular.

It is the goal of the CCRTD to significantly increase the body of knowledge on cancer research, particularly as these diseases disproportionately impact the population mainly served by Clark Atlanta University, African-Americans.

CCRTD utilizes three advisory committees to oversee its activities. These are the Institutional Advisory Committee, the External Advisory Committee (EAC), and the Local External Advisory Committee (LEAC). The EAC and LEAC were formed to provide CCRTD with different perspectives and expert opinions from scientists outside the University who have experience in cancer research.

Administrative Support Services

The RCMI program manager (PM) assist research scientists with grants management and purchasing support services. The PM assists scientists by managing all of the paperwork involved in purchasing equipment and scientific supplies, hiring technical assistants, bringing seminar guests or collaborators to campus, and making travel arrangements for the scientists themselves. The PM also establishes accounts for all RCMI CCRTD scientists, handles correspondence with the advisory committee members, communicates with the appropriate personnel in the Office for Research and Sponsored Programs, the Office of Grants and Contracts, Accounts Payable and Purchasing.

The program also utilizes an administrative secretary. The secretary handles all clerical tasks and routine correspondence for the program, schedules all RCMI-sponsored seminar speakers and makes their travel arrangements, orders all office supplies and ensures that all office equipment is functional at all times. The secretary also assists the program manager whenever necessary. In addition, when needed, CCRTD scientists can also obtain assistance with the preparation of manuscripts, proposals and technical reports via the administrative secretary. The administrative support staff endeavors to address problems encountered by scientists so that they can spend their time performing quality research.