Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) Centers

The Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer Centers initiative fosters collaboration across multiple disciplines and encompasses projects that cover the biology, genomics, and genetics of energy balance to behavioral, sociocultural, and environmental influences upon nutrition, physical activity, weight, energetics, and cancer risk. It provides training opportunities for new and established scientists who can carry out integrative research on energetics and energy balance. The TREC initiative complements NCI’s energy balance research endeavors and efforts of the NIH Obesity Task Force.

TREC Training Workshop

June 24-28, 2024

This five-day, in residence training workshop is designed for early career investigators (i.e., junior faculty and postdocs) who are interested in transdisciplinary (TD) and translational (TL) energetics and cancer research.

The annual workshop, now in its eighth year, places emphasis on developing and applying TD competencies focused on energetics (i.e., obesity, diet and exercise) and cancer.  Faculty span an array of professional disciplines, from basic scientists to clinicians to behavioral and population scientists. Formal didactic learning is integrated with one-on-one dialog and small group discussions to enable fellows to learn from each other, from faculty, and to develop a TD and TL network.

The Workshop builds upon the NCI TREC Initiative and covers topics across the cancer control continuum. The course will be held June 24-28, 2024 at Water’s Edge Resort, Westbrook, CT, U.S.A. Costs will be covered.

Notification of Intent to apply due: December 15, 2023

Full application due: January 15, 2024

For more detail visit TRECTraining.yale.edu.

 

TREC - Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer Centers

2011 – 2016 NCI-funded TREC Research Centers

University of California – San Diego 

Location
San Diego, CA

Principal Investigator
Dr. Ruth Patterson

The TREC Research Center at the University of California, San Diego focuses on mechanisms linking obesity with breast cancer risk and conducts studies investigating obesity and lifestyle factors related to insulin resistance and inflammation using mouse models, clinical trials, and wireless and networked technologies in the community.

University of Pennsylvania

Location
Philadelphia, PA

Principal Investigator
Dr. Kathryn Schmitz

The University of Pennsylvania TREC Research Center focuses on the association between energy balance and breast cancer recurrence and persistent adverse treatments effects and explores the impact of exercise and weight control interventions in cancer survivors through cost effectiveness analysis.

Harvard

Location
Boston, MA

Principal Investigator
Dr. Frank Hu

The Harvard TREC Research Center focuses on biological mechanisms linking obesity and cancer throughout the lifespan and at multiple levels, and translating this knowledge into actionable behavioral interventions targeting children, minorities, and cancer survivors.

Washington University in St. Louis

Location
St. Louis, MO

Principal Investigator
Dr. Graham Colditz

The TREC Research Center at Washington University in St. Louis uses multilevel and multigenerational approaches to investigate mechanisms by which preconception diet, nutrition and built environment policies impact inactivity and how physical activity and energy balance influence body weight and carcinogenesis across the lifespan.

Coordination Center - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center

Location
Seattle, WA

Principal Investigator
Dr. Mark Thornquist

The TREC Coordination Center at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center integrates efforts across the network of individual TREC Research Centers and facilitates transdisciplinary research by supporting communication, scientific collaboration, logistical infrastructure for data management and bioinformatics, results dissemination, training, and evaluation.

2005 – 2010 NCI-funded TREC Research Centers

TREC Research Center Principal Investigator
The University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN
Dr. Robert Jeffery
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, WA
Dr. Anne McTiernan
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA
Dr. Michael Goran
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, OH
Dr. Nathan Berger
Coordination Center - Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, WA
Dr. Mark Thornquist

Publications

Orgel E, Framson C, Buxton R, et al. Caloric and nutrient restriction to augment chemotherapy efficacy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: the IDEAL trial. Blood Adv. 2021 Apr 13;5(7):1853-1861. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2020004018

Irwin ML, Lowry D, Neuhouser ML, et al. Transdisciplinary Research in Energetics and Cancer early career investigator training program: first year results. Transl Behav Med. 2021 Mar 16;11(2):549-562. doi: 10.1093/tbm/ibaa009

Schmitz KH, Gehlert S, Patterson RE, et al. TREC to WHERE? Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 2016 Apr 1;22(7):1565-71. doi: 10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-14-1214

Patterson RE, Colditz GA, Hu FB, et al. The 2011-2016 Transdisciplinary Research on Energetics and Cancer (TREC) initiative: rationale and design. Cancer Causes Control. 2013 Apr;24(4):695-704. doi: 10.1007/s10552-013-0150-z

Contacts

Tanya Agurs-Collins, PhD, RD

Tanya Agurs-Collins, PhD, RD

Acting Chief, Health Behaviors Research Branch

Susan Czajkowski, PhD

Susan Czajkowski, PhD

CHIEF, Health Behaviors Research Branch

Last Updated
August 29, 2024