Funding Opportunity for Students interested In
Breast Cancer Disparities Research

Boston University’s

Mentoring and Training in Cancer Health Disparities (MATCH) Program

Request for Applications

Through generous funding from a Susan G. Komen Graduate Training in Disparities Research Grant, the Boston University MATCH Program aims to train graduate students who are seeking careers dedicated to understanding and eliminating disparities in breast cancer outcomes across population groups.

The MATCH program is administered through the Women’s Health Interdisciplinary Research Center and the Women’s Health Unit, a Center of Excellence in Women’s Health with expertise in community-engaged

health services research focused on the needs of low-income, minority women. Our mentorship team will support MATCH Scholars to ensure coordination of rigorous didactic graduate degree training with unique community-engaged breast cancer research opportunities. An annual stipend of $25,000 to support completion of the following program components:

  1. Didactic training in research methods through matriculation in a BU graduate degree program.
  2. Career mentorship from MATCH Mentors (see list below) to ensure future potential to work in breast cancer disparities research.
  3. Peer and faculty advising to identify, develop and complete a mentored research project. Scholars may work with one of the MATCH Mentors on an available data source (see attached for examples), or may propose a project with an outside mentor that fulfills the program aims.
  4. Training in the conduct of community-engaged research methods in partnership with our Breast Cancer Patient Advisory Group.

Upon completion of the program, MATCH Scholars will have the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively explore the causes of differential breast cancer outcomes and interventions to reduce disparities.

Eligibility Criteria for Komen MATCH Scholars:

  • Enrolled in a BU masters, combined masters/doctoral, or doctoral degree program;
  • Has a minimum of 20 hours per week to devote to program components;
  • Interested in pursuing a research career in breast cancer disparities;
  • Is strongly endorsed by a mentor or supervisor
  • Representative of a population affected by disparities, not required but strongly preferred;
  • Not required to be U.S. citizen or resident (however, visa costs are NOT supported)

Application Materials:

  1. Curriculum Vitae
  2. 1 page Personal Statement describing your commitment to breast cancer disparities research and personal career goals
  3. Letter of support from mentor or supervisor

Please submit your completed application via email to by June 17, 2016.
Please contact Sara Gille at 617-638-8034 with questions.

Start date, September 2016.

Komen MATCH Mentors

Mentor / Current Position / Expertise
Tracy Battaglia, MD, MPH / Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Chief Women’s Health Unit, School of Medicine and Public Health / Women’s health
Cancer care delivery disparities
Patient Navigation
Rebecca Silliman, MD, PhD / Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology, Schools of Medicine and Epidemiology / Geriatric disparities
Health services and Epidemiology
Victoria Parker, PhD / Associate Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health / Organizational behavior
Health Services research
Nancy Kressin, PhD / Professor of Medicine, Director Heath Care Disparities Research Program, School of Medicine / Health services research
Socioeconomic determinants
Julie Palmer, ScD MPH / Professor of Epidemiology,
School of Public Health
PI, Black Women’s Health Study / Epidemiology breast cancer
Genetic and non-genetic risk factors in blacks
Marjory Charlot, MD MSc / Assistant Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine, Carter Cancer Disparities Fellow / Medical oncology, breast and lung cancer
Modifiable cancer risk
Naomi Ko, MD MPH / Assistant Professor of Medicine, School of Medicine, Carter Cancer Disparities Fellow / Medical oncology, breast cancer
Care delivery research
Gloria Johnson / Patient Advocate-Breast Cancer Advisory Group / Social work
Elizabeth Rhodes / Patient Advocate-Breast Cancer Advisory Group / Nursing
Marilyn Simmons / Patient Advocate-Breast Cancer Advisory Group / Public health

Examples of Datasets Available for Use

Study Summary (funding) / N (%Non-White) / Study design / Available data
Project SUPPORT (ACS, PCORI) To determine if newly diagnosed low income breast cancer patients receiving patient navigation + legal advocacy will reduce delays in care. / 375 (70) / Randomized controlled trial
2014 to present / Clinical and patient reported outcomes,
Qualitative interviews
Black Women’s Health Study (NIH) Gathers longitudinal information on many conditions that affect black women including breast cancer. / 59,000 (100) / Prospective, longitudinal cohort
1994 to present / Surveys every two years: diet, exercise, health behaviors and reported disease and health outcomes.
Boston Breast Cancer Equity Coalition: Information will be used to develop and implement strategies and interventions to achieve equity in breast cancer outcomes for Black, non-Hispanic women in Boston. / 1. Secondary analysis of Massachusetts Cancer registry of Black and White, non-Hispanic women in Boston 2010-2014.
2. Assist with primary data collection and analysis of patient navigation services provided breast cancer patients in the city of Boston.
Patient Navigation Research Program (NCI) Effectiveness study to assess the impact of patient navigation after an abnormal breast cancer screening or new cancer diagnosis. / 2275 (63) / Quasi-experimental patient navigation
intervention
2006-2008 / Clinical and patient reported outcomes,
Qualitative observations