Written by Hannah Buckelew
Mary Kathryn (M.K.) Sewell-Loftin, Ph.D., assistant professor in the UAB Department of Biomedical Engineering, has been named a Scholar of the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Early Investigator Advancement Program (EIAP).

In late 2021, the NCI launched the EIAP to facilitate the advancement of scientists from diverse backgrounds to become independent investigators. EIAP aims to guide preparation of an R01 grant application, provide access to a mentoring and peer network, enhance professional skills, and grow a community of emerging independent investigators from diverse backgrounds.

“I wanted to participate in the EIAP to improve my scientific writing and communication skills,” says Sewell-Loftin. “This program not only connects me with other incredible early-career faculty in a variety of cancer research fields, but also leaders from the NCI and the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities.”

Acceptance into the program is competitive. Sewell-Loftin is one of 25 members in the second cohort and is the first named Scholar from UAB.

“I hope to leverage this experience not only to improve my ‘grantsmanship,’ but to learn ways to address health disparities in cancer research and improve my mentoring skills for the next diverse generation of cancer researchers.”