At Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, we are supporting the next generation of cancer researchers, clinicians, and community leaders.

One of the three interdependent missions of the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center is to reduce the pain and suffering caused by cancer in Iowa, surrounding communities, and globally through education. To support this mission, we established the Office of Cancer Career Enhancement and Training (OCCET) to help train future leaders in cancer research, clinical care, and community engagement. OCCET offers various programs that provide students, trainees, and professionals with opportunities to develop skills, expand their knowledge, and contribute to the fight against cancer.

Office of Cancer Career Enhancement and Training Team

Jessica C. Sieren, PhD

Jessica Sieren, PhD

Associate Director for Career Enhancement
Associate Professor of Radiology - Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Imaging
Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Director, Radiology Core Lab
Deputy Director, Advanced Pulmonary Physiomic Imaging Laboratory: APPIL
Megan Meyer

Megan Meyer, MBA

Administrative Manager for Career Enhancement
Amy Candelario

Amy Candelario

Cancer Education Programs Coordinator
ICARE Postbaccalaureate Fellowship Program
Holden Research Seminar Series
Alicia Denman

Alicia Denman

Cancer Education Programs Coordinator
Cancer Biology PhD Program
Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Carey Dieleman

Carey Dieleman, MST

Cancer Center Statewide STEM Educator

Mentorship

Mentors

OCCET pathway programming involves mentors from across a large variety of cancer-related disciplines who are all Holden members.

Mentorship Training

OCCET hosts mentorship training with a facilitator trained by the Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experience in Research (CIMER). Holden members can complete a similar training through Iowa Mentoring Academy.

Mentorship Recognition
  • Purpose: To recognize engaged faculty members in mentorship of activities within Holden’s Office of Cancer Career Enhancement and Training. Past mentorship activities would be accounted for in calculating engagement level contributions.
  • Engagement levels:
    • ★ One Star engagement
      • Complete CIMER mentorship training and/or Iowa Mentoring Academy
      • Mentor at least two trainees in the Holden OCCET pathway or PhD programs (CROI, ICARE, or CBIO) and/or mentor at least one early-stage investigator in the PRSPR Club
    • ★★ Two Star engagement
      • Complete CIMER mentorship training and/or Iowa Mentoring Academy
      • Mentor at least four trainees in the Holden OCCET pathway or PhD programs (CROI, ICARE, or CBIO) and/or mentor at least two early-stage investigators in the PRSPR Club
    • ★★★ Three Star engagement
      • Complete CIMER mentorship training and/or Iowa Mentoring Academy
      • Complete CIMER facilitator training or trained as a facilitator for Iowa Mentoring Academy
      • Mentor at least six trainees in the Holden OCCET pathway or PhD programs (CROI, ICARE, or CBIO) and/or mentor at least three early-stage investigators in the PRSPR Club
    • ★★★★ Four Star engagement
      • Complete CIMER mentorship training and/or Iowa Mentoring Academy
      • Facilitate CIMER mentorship training and/or trained as a facilitator for Iowa Mentoring Academy
      • Serve on an advisory committee plus mentor at least four trainees in the Holden OCCET pathway or PhD programs (CROI, ICARE, or CBIO) and/or mentor at least four early-stage investigators in the PRSPR Club
        • Or direct/co-direct one of the Holden OCCET pathway or PhD programs (HERO, CROI, ICARE, or CBIO) and/or PRSPR Club
  • Recognition levels*:
    • ★ One Star recognition
      • Holden/OCCET branded polo shirt
      • Letter of recognition to DEO of department for contributions toward mentorship within the cancer center
    • ★★ Two Star recognition
      • Holden/OCCET branded quarter-zip
      • Letter of recognition to DEO of department for contributions toward mentorship within the cancer center
    • ★★★ Three Star recognition
      • Holden/OCCET branded fleece jacket or full zip
      • Recognition plaque
      • Letter of recognition to DEO of department for contributions toward mentorship within the cancer center
    • ★★★★ Four Star recognition
      • Letter of recognition to DEO of department for contributions toward mentorship within the cancer center
      • Recognition plaque
      • Travel or professional development award of $250

*Apparel items are purchased by OCCET from UI Healthcare Brand Store