Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer

Cancer is a major health concern for Alabamians. In Alabama alone, more than 23,000 new cases of cancer were diagnosed and more than 10,000 people died of the disease in 2010 (Alabama Dept. of Public Health).

Founded in January 2012, the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, or AURIC, provides a unified structure to promote the many outstanding cancer researchers and research projects underway at Auburn University.  AURIC is a vibrant, functional and growing program that leverages expertise to build a sustainable, university-wide cancer research effort with contacts and collaborations throughout the state, region, nation and world.

As part of its mission, AURIC will administer or sponsor a variety of programs annually to enhance community knowledge, increase collaboration and interaction between cancer researchers and improve faculty success rates when applying for funding.

AURIC is comprised of human medicine, animal medicine, research and diagnostics where faculty, students and staff are working together to solve the complex puzzle that is cancer. Based within the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine, AURIC is the foundation for cancer initiatives everywhere — from the laboratory to clinical trials and treatment centers.

Program Goals

AURIC will build on existing strengths in nanotherapeutics, nanomedicine, cancer genetics, gene targeting and the capacity to develop transnational models.

AURIC will encourage faculty participation in cancer research and will support and facilitate the strategic recruitment of new faculty whose interests and expertise will advance the AURIC mission.

AURIC will assist faculty members and investigative teams with grantsmanship skills and proposal development.

AURIC will explore new directions and opportunities such as links with existing Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine programs as well as with local, regional, national and global entities.

Mission

To improve both human and animal health, AURIC fosters an environment of excellence in cancer research and promotes research that enhances competitiveness to advance the understanding of the biology of cancer and foster the translation of novel technologies from the laboratory to the clinic.

Proposal Pre-review Program

Faculty are encouraged to submit proposals to an AURIC review panel for NIH/NSF style reviews prior to submission. Data show that pre-review is possibly the single most effective tool to enhance grant review scores. Use this pre-review program early in the planning stages as well as prior to submission of the completed proposal. Minimum two weeks required for review and feedback. For additional information, contact the Dr. Bruce Smith at AURIC@auburn.edu

Research

Cancer research can be divided and defined by tumor type and technical focus of the research. AURIC members investigate breast, prostate, lung, pancreatic, lymphoma, melanoma, glioma, osteosarcoma, nasal carcinoma and oral squamous cell carcinoma tumors. To identify AURIC faculty working in a specific area contact Dr. Bruce Smith at AURIC@auburn.edu. Current research approaches include:

  • Nanotherapy / nanomedicine
  • Cancer genetics
  • Targeting strategies
  • Translational models
  • Imaging and diagnostics
  • Biomaterials and tissue engineering
  • Interaction of metabolic disease and cancer

Giving Opportunities

If you are interested in providing financial support for research in the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, please contact the Auburn Vet Med Office of Advancement at (334) 844-1274, giving@vetmed.auburn.edu or visit them online at vetmed.auburn.edu/giving.

Videos

Learn more about some of the exciting breast cancer research being performed by AURIC faculty.

AURIC Researchers are on the cutting-edge, designing new therapies for cancers in both dogs and people.

Contact

Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer
College of Veterinary Medicine
121 Scott-Ritchey Research Center
Auburn, AL 36849-5525
Phone: (334) 844-3700
AURIC@auburn.edu