Charles Peyton, M.D.Charles Peyton, M.D., associate professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Urology, has been selected as a recipient of the highly competitive 2025 National Cancer Institute Early Career Cancer Clinical Investigator Award.

“This award has great significance, not just for Dr. Peyton, but for the entire O’Neal Cancer Center and UAB community,” said Barry Sleckman, M.D., Ph.D., director of the UAB O’Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center. “His commitment to clinical trials and improving outcomes for cancer patients is inspiring. We are incredibly proud of him and grateful to the NCI for this recognition.”

The ECIA award supports early career physician-scientists by providing them with protected time to pursue research, mentor junior investigators and contribute to the clinical trials enterprise at their cancer centers. Given by the NCI Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials and the Office of Cancer Centers, the award recognizes Peyton’s dedication to advancing cancer clinical research and his growing leadership in academic oncology.

“I am profoundly honored to receive the Early Career Cancer Clinical Investigator Award, and grateful for the support of UAB and Dr. Sleckman,” Peyton said. “This award empowers me to designate time and resources to advancing novel therapies for urologic cancers, improve patient outcomes, and help ensure our community gains access to cutting-edge clinical trials.”

The ECIA is a funding mechanism provided by the NCI to support early-career clinician-investigators who aim to pursue a career in cancer clinical research. Candidate nominations are reserved exclusively for NCI-designated cancer center institutions and their directors.

Last year, only 10 early-career investigators nationwide were selected for this competitive award. Peyton’s selection places him among an elite group of clinician-scientists working at the forefront of cancer research.