The goal of the research program, called the Washington University Participant Engagement and Cancer Genomic Sequencing Center (WU-PE-CGS), is to fill gaps in knowledge to help reduce the disparities seen in rare and understudied cancers that affect underrepresented groups. It will focus on African American patients with colorectal cancer and multiple myeloma, as well as patients of any race or ethnicity with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare cancer of the bile ducts.

The program includes three major units led by investigators with diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. They are cancer biologist Li Ding, PhD, a professor of medicine in the Division of Oncology and a professor of genetics; cancer epidemiologist Bettina F. Drake, PhD, a professor of surgery in the Division of Public Health Sciences; and surgical oncologist Ryan C. Fields, MD, the Kim and Tim Eberlein Distinguished Professor in the Department of Surgery.

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