University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center expert Nathan Vanderford, Ph.D., is contributing to a critical national discussion on sustaining and supporting the cancer workforce. 

Vanderford, an associate professor in the UK College of Medicine, will address the President’s Cancer Panel Sept. 13 in one of two public virtual meetings aimed at identifying strategies for strengthening the cancer clinical care and research workforce, a key goal of the National Cancer Plan.  

The meeting is part of a series exploring approaches to optimize and diversify the cancer clinical and research workforce through collaborations across government, academia and private sectors. Outcomes will inform the panel’s report to President Joe Biden on supporting the next generation of cancer researchers and health care professionals. 

Vanderford will address challenges faced by early-career researchers, issues of diversity in cancer research training and opportunities for supporting researchers’ career paths. Vanderford is an associate professor in the UK College of Medicine’s Department of Toxicology and Cancer Biology, director of Markey Cancer Center’s Appalachian Career Training in Oncology Program and assistant director of Markey’s Pathway Programs and Student Success.  

The meeting will be livestreamed to the public beginning at 11 a.m. ET and can be accessed here: https://nci.rev.vbrick.com/#/webcasts/presidentscancerpanel-meet2.