title: Education and training for radiation scientists: radiation research program and American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology Workshop, Bethesda, Maryland, May 12-14, 2003.
abstract: Current and potential shortfalls in the number of radiation scientists stand in sharp contrast to the emerging scientific opportunities and the need for new knowledge to address issues of cancer survivorship and radiological and nuclear terrorism. In response to these challenges, workshops organized by the Radiation Research Program (RRP), National Cancer Institute (NCI) (Radiat. Res. 157, 204-223, 2002; Radiat. Res. 159, 812-834, 2003), and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) (Nature, 421, 787, 2003) have engaged experts from a range of federal agencies, academia and industry. This workshop, Education and Training for Radiation Scientists, addressed the need to establish a sustainable pool of expertise and talent for a wide range of activities and careers related to radiation biology, oncology and epidemiology. Although fundamental radiation chemistry and physics are also critical to radiation sciences, this workshop did not address workforce needs in these areas. The recommendations include: (1) Establish a National Council of Radiation Sciences to develop a strategy for increasing the number of radiation scientists. The strategy includes NIH training grants, interagency cooperation, interinstitutional collaboration among universities, and active involvement of all stakeholders. (2) Create new and expanded training programs with sustained funding. These may take the form of regional Centers of Excellence for Radiation Sciences. (3) Continue and broaden educational efforts of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO), the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA), and the Radiation Research Society (RRS). (4) Foster education and training in the radiation sciences for the range of career opportunities including radiation oncology, radiation biology, radiation epidemiology, radiation safety, health/government policy, and industrial research. (5) Educate other scientists and the general public on the quantitative, basic, molecular, translational and applied aspects of radiation sciences.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Research Program, Division of Cancer Treatment and Diagnosis, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, USA. ccoleman@mail.nih.gov
authors.forename: C Norman
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: Helen B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: George A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Mary Helen
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Barcellos-Hoff
authors.forename: Joel S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Bedford
authors.forename: Robert G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Bristow
authors.forename: Joseph R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Dynlacht
authors.forename: Zvi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Fuks
authors.forename: Lester S
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Gorelic
authors.forename: Richard P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Joiner
authors.forename: Fei-Fei
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: McBride
authors.forename: W Gillies
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Simon N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.forename: Michael E C
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rockwell
authors.forename: Peter B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Schiff
authors.forename: Edward G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: Dietmar W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Siemann
authors.forename: Elizabeth L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Travis
authors.forename: Paul E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Wallner
authors.forename: Rosemary S L
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zeman
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D006801:Humans; D011827:Radiation; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education*; D011853:Radiobiology / Q000193:education*; D012106:Research; D012586:Science