2 New Mentorship Programs Via Partnership With ICRN/ENS-CCA to Support, Advise Junior Researchers in Their Career Choices

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Cholangiocarcinoma patients need scientists and researchers to help generate funding for research and treatment of early-stage cholangiocarcinoma, a rare but lethal bile duct cancer. The Foundation’s International Cholangiocarcinoma Research Network (ICRN) and the European Cholangiocarcinoma Network (ENS-CCA) created two new mentoring programs, called the Career Mentoring Program and Scientific Mentoring Program, to support and advise junior researchers in their career choices and scientific growth by matching mentees and mentors within the ICRN and ENS-CCA networks.

While mentorship is a well-developed practice in most high-volume cancer Institutions, tremendous clinical workloads lack access. Research resources and collaboration opportunities in community hospitals and low- and middle-income countries underscore the need to develop these mentorship programs. Our joint mentorship programs offer junior researchers the opportunity to get support from international, external and independent highly experienced physician-scientist mentors who share the same interest in cholangiocarcinoma.

These new programs help mentor young researchers:

• Expand their communication,
• Gain knowledge from their mentors' experience,
• Enhance their skills,
• Increase their confidence,
• Learn how to build a strategy to improve their academic career,
• Reach their goal, and discover the best mentor and mentee relationship practice.

Moreover, the Scientific Mentoring Program is designed to give junior researchers the opportunity to work closely with experts in various research areas, including cancer research, cell biology, genomics, artificial intelligence and other high-yield research areas in the cholangiocarcinoma research world. Thus, these programs support the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation’s expansion of its stakeholder community and support to the new generation.

Career Mentoring Program

• 6-month virtual mentoring activity.
• Focus on career development and professional choices.
• Mentors and Mentees commitment to a 1-hour virtual meeting every 30-45 days.
• Mid-term progress report to the Program Administrator.
• Upon conclusion, Mentees may have the opportunity to visit the Mentor’s Institution by applying for the COST Short-Term Scientific Mission if they meet the eligibility criteria https://eurocholangionet.eu/scientific-missions/.

Scientific Mentoring Program

• 12-month virtual mentoring activity.
• Focus on identifying and achieving a project during the 12-month program.
• Mentors and mentees commitment to a 1-hour virtual meeting every 30 days.
• Midterm progress report to the program administrator.
• Upon conclusion, mentees may have the opportunity to visit the mentor’s institution by applying for the COST Short-Term Scientific Mission if they meet the eligibility criteria https://eurocholangionet.eu/scientific-missions/.
• At the end of 12 months, mentors and mentees submit a final program evaluation form highlighting the program outcomes they achieved.
• Mentees will submit an abstract to present their work at the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation Annual Conference Poster Session in Salt Lake City, Utah.
• The Abstract Review Committee will select one mentor/mentee partnership for a top prize that includes free registration and accommodations to the Foundation’s annual conference to present their work during one of the scientific sessions of the meeting.

Applicants for the Career or Scientific Mentoring Programs must be:

• PhD student, oncology resident/fellow, postdocs
• For non-native English speaking, be fluent in writing and speaking English
• Demonstrate a strong interest in cholangiocarcinoma by having at least one paper or abstract published on the topic.

About cholangiocarcinoma: Cholangiocarcinoma, pronounced (koh-LAN-jee-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh), is a highly lethal and rare bile duct cancer of the liver with a poor prognosis. With approximately 10,000 cases a year 

diagnosed in the United States, cholangiocarcinoma is the second most common primary liver cancer in the world. It is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment is only minimally effective, emphasizing the imminent need for novel therapies.

About the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation (CCF):Founded in 2006, the Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation is a global 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. Its mission is to find a cure and improve the quality of life for those affected by bile duct cancer. CCF supports basic & translational research and raises awareness in the cholangiocarcinoma community through advocacy, education, collaboration, and research. For more information, please visit our website at cholangiocarcinoma.org.