July 14, 2015:

The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium (Big Ten CRC) was established in 2013 to provide new opportunities for collaborative, investigator-initiated research at Big Ten cancer centers. Faculty at Big Ten CRC member institutions have been actively involved throughout the consortium’s development, resulting in the achievement of many milestones for the Big Ten CRC. The Big Ten CRC opened its first clinical trial recently, and numerous other trials and concepts are in the pipeline.

The Big Ten CRC brings together exceptional basic scientists and clinical investigators within the Big Ten Conference to collaborate on the next generation of genomically driven, multi-institutional clinical trials. Through the consortium’s shared resources and large patient base, consortium studies will be completed efficiently, speeding the development of new therapies for patients.

The Big Ten CRC welcomes the participation of all faculty at member institutions, including junior and senior level basic scientists and clinical investigators. Faculty are encouraged to take the following steps to engage with their consortium colleagues.

First, subscribe to the Big Ten CRC’s distribution list. By signing up, you will receive the Big Ten CRC’s monthly newsletter, with the latest developments in the consortium, as well as invitations to the consortium’s teleconferences and face-to-face meetings.

Second, consider joining a Big Ten CRC clinical trial working group (CTWG). The working groups provide a collaborative environment in which to discuss clinical trial concepts and advise the protocol development process. The following CTWGs meet via teleconference every 6 to 8 weeks.

Third, bring your clinical trial concepts to the Big Ten CRC. To submit a concept, contact Jessica Roy, the Big Ten CRC’s research development director, at jroy@bigtencrc.org. See also Big Ten CRC Research Criteria.

For general inquiries about the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium, please contact us.

About the Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium: The Big Ten Cancer Research Consortium creates a unique team-research culture to drive science rapidly from ideas to treatment-changing paradigms. Within this innovative environment, today’s research leaders collaborate with and mentor the research leaders of tomorrow with the unified goal of improving the lives of all patients with cancer.

About the Big Ten Conference: The Big Ten Conference is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the values of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to almost 9,500 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013. For more information, visit www.bigten.org.