Young Investigator Project Database
The ICRN Next-Gen Committee, co-chaired by Drs. Kristen Spencer and Nilo Azad, are excited to announce the launch of the Young Investigator Project Database—a new platform designed to connect early-career researchers with meaningful mentorship and collaborative research opportunities.
This initiative allows senior investigators to submit projects to help young investigators gain hands-on research experience. Each project entry includes the following details:
- Project Category (e.g., review manuscript, case report, data project)
- Title and 2–3 sentence description
- Start date and deadline
- Expected time commitment
- Collaborators (if applicable)
- Mentor/Lead Investigator contact info (for internal use only)
Mentors: Please click here to submit a project.
As we continue refining this tool, let us know how we can improve the process to ensure it truly supports the needs of both mentors and mentees.
The database is hosted on the CCF ICRN website as a live, searchable repository. Each listing is marked as “Available” or “Allocated” depending on its status. This resource will be regularly featured in ICRN communications.
Early-career investigators interested in a listed project can contact the CCF Research Department, which will coordinate introductions with the mentor or lead investigator.
Project Title: Immunotherapy plus chemotherapy for biliary tract cancer: pros and cons
Project Description: A scholarly manuscript invited by Expert Review of Gastroenterology & Hepatology (Impact Factor 2.5, 2024) for inclusion in a special article collection on Hepatobiliary cancer prevention and treatment. The paper should discuss the rationale, evidence, and challenges of combining immunotherapy with chemotherapy for biliary tract cancers. It should cover potential benefits, risks, and clinical considerations. The work contributes to ongoing research efforts focused on targeted therapies, immunotherapy, early diagnosis, biomarkers, and supportive care in hepatobiliary cancers.
- Project Category: Mentored Invited Manuscript
- Mentor and institution: Dr. Juan Valle, Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation
- Anticipated Start Date: 8/27/2025
- Deadline for Completion: 1/25/2026
- Contact: research@curecca.org
- Status: Allocated
Project Title: Leveraging Multimodal Foundation Models in Biliary Tract Cancers Research
Project Description: This project explores the intersection of Multimodel Foundation models and biliary tract cancer research, highlighting the clinical needs driving innovation and the technical considerations for AI implementation.
- Project Category: Translational Research Collaboration
- Mentor and institution: Dr. Greg Gores, Mayo Clinic
- Anticipated Start Date: 3/1/2025
- Deadline for Completion: 11/30/2025
- Contact: research@curecca.org
- Status: Allocated
Project Title: Developing autologous, bio-printed, immune-oncology CCA-PDOs to model immunotherapy responses matched to patient outcomes
Project Description: This project develops immune-competent patient-derived organoids (PDOs) from primary liver cancer patients to model response to Gem/Cis/Durva therapy. By integrating bioprinting, high-content imaging, and clinical benchmarking, we aim to uncover resistance mechanisms and accelerate new drug and RNA therapy development.
- Project Category: Translational Research Collaboration
- Mentor and institution: Dr. Benjamin Dwyer, Curtin University
- Anticipated Start Date: 1/12/2026
- Deadline for Completion: 1/10/2028
- Contact: research@curecca.org
- Status: Available