Resources for Researchers

The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) at the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) partners with researchers to promote community-centered cancer research in our catchment area and beyond. All HICCC and Research Program Pilot Grant applications require investigators to describe the relevance of their research to the HICCC catchment area, underscoring our shared commitment to addressing cancer disparities and improving outcomes for the communities we serve.  

COE provides researchers with a variety of ways to engage with our catchment area. Explore our resources, services, and opportunities for collaboration below. 

COE services

Data and management support

COE provides cancer and community data to support equity-driven research across our catchment area. 

Available data includes: 

  • Cancer incidence and mortality 
  • Demographics and social determinants of health 
  • Cancer mapping and geospatial data 
  • Instrument validation
Submit a data request

Health equity course for basic scientists

This is a free, online, self-paced course designed for basic science researchers at the undergraduate, graduate, postdoctoral, and early-career faculty levels. The topics covered include: 

  • The history of health equity 
  • Representation in biobanks 
  • Community-engaged research 
  • Applications of community frameworks in basic research
Sign up for the course

Language and accessibility services

Our COE team includes members fluent in professional, research-grade Spanish, equipped to support physicians and investigators in developing accurate, culturally appropriate materials for both clinical and research settings. 

  • Review/edit/proof existing Spanish language documents  
  • Interpretation (patient/provider)  
  • Cultural sensitivity & literacy reviews: evaluation of text and image complexity  
  • Spanish language focus group facilitation  
  • Translation certificate for submission to the IRB  
  • Basic multilingual data collection and management
Submit a language service request

Researcher-community scientist matching

COE connects researchers with community scientists to ensure projects are ethical, inclusive, and relevant to community needs. 

Community scientists can:

  • Provide feedback on proposals and lay summaries 
  • Serve as advocates on grants to support ethical and community-driven research 
  • Partner as collaborators on research proposals 
Request a community scientist

Get Involved

Researchers and trainees are encouraged to engage directly with our community through COE-led initiatives: 

  • Give a community talk on your research
  • Contribute to the COE newsletter
  • Partner with COE on community-based participatory research
  • Focus on cancers with high incidence and significant health disparities in our catchment area

To learn more about any of the COE resources or to explore ways to get involved, connect with us at columbiacancercoe@cumc.columbia.edu.

Contact us