Pediatric Cancer

The Pediatric Cancer Research Group (PCRG) is a multidisciplinary team of scientists working to improve the outcomes of children diagnosed with cancer by combining the scientific infrastructure of the UNMC and the Fred & Pamela Buffet Cancer Center with the resources and clinical expertise of Children’s Nebraska.

The PCRG is the pediatric cancer CHRI area of emphasis (AOE), and its efforts span:

• Epidemiology and prevention, including extensive research into water quality as it relates to pediatric cancer rates in Nebraska and other rural areas
• Pathology of different cancers/tumors, including medulloblastoma, neuroblastoma, hematological malignancies and more
• Innovative treatments with collaborators from pharmaceutical sciences and increased infrastructure to conduct clinical trials, including augmenting data management
• Quality of care research, such as the use of robotics and virtual reality to improve experiences in physical therapy or decrease the need for sedation in radiation oncology and imaging
• Survivorship research in partnership with Children’s Nebraska Survivorship Clinic
• Developing resources and tools to benefit a wide range of cancer research, including animal models and tumor banks
• Training for the next generation of researchers through fellowships and laboratory experiences

If you are a CHRI member and would like to join the Pediatric Cancer area of emphasis, please email chri@unmc.edu. 

Funding through the PCRG

• In early 2014, LB 764 was introduced by State Senator Danielle Conrad to appropriate $1.8M from the General Fund for pediatric cancer research infrastructure at the University of Nebraska.
• In early 2015, LB 417 was introduced by State Senators Nordquist and Mello and subsequently approved to continue appropriations of $1.8M per year (with $300K per year reserved for neuro-oncology) in perpetuity.
• 2023, Nebraska legislators approve $2.7M a year increase, bringing the yearly state funding for pediatric cancer research to $4.5M.

To ask a question contact: PCRG Program Director, Don Coulter, MD dwcoulter@unmc.edu. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Applicants should be members of CHRI and can access the funding application on the member portal.