Best Universities offering graduate programs in Oncology and Cancer Biology

Our dedicated PhD Program in Cancer Biology is one of the most established in the country and is supported by an NCI training grant in addition to valuable support from foundations and private donors allowing us to continue torecruit and train the next generation of expert cancer biologists. The University of Chicago is home to an NCI supported Comprehensive Cancer Center. We provide doctoral students with the most up-to-date knowledge and research training with the goal of preparing them for leadership and research careers in academia, industry, clinical research, science journalism, advocacy and policy, and other relevant areas of the biomedical workforce. With 61 faculty members from across the Biological Sciences Division with diverse interests in all of these research areas, students have a broad choice of research concentrations to select from for their thesis research project. Our program has enabled many of our trainees to publish their work in outstanding journals and go on to run their own research labs.

The Columbia University in the City of New York welcomes the students to the Division of Hematology/Oncology in the Department of Medicine at Columbia University Medical Center. In collaboration with our many colleagues associated with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center, our doctors and staff are dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care to patients with cancer and blood (hematologic) diseases.

The Cancer Biology Ph.D. program was established in 1978 at Stanford University. During the past four decades, the understanding of cancer has increased dramatically with the discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, pathways of DNA damage and repair, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis and responses to hypoxia, and the molecular basis of metastasis, among others. In addition, methods of parallel analysis including genomic and proteomic approaches have begun to refine and redefine the taxonomy of cancer diagnosis. This explosion of basic and clinical science has, in turn, resulted in the first successful cancer chemotherapies and immunotherapies based on knowledge of specific molecular targets. Stanford presents a unique environment to pursue interdisciplinary cancer research because the School of Medicine, the School of Humanities and Sciences, and the School of Engineering are located on a single campus, all within walking distance of one another.

The goal of the Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program is to provide students with education and training that will enable them to make significant contributions to this remarkable field. Coursework during the first year is designed to provide a broad understanding of the molecular, genetic, cell biological, and pathobiological aspects of cancer. Students also learn about the current state of clinical diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. Equally important during the first year is a series of three rotations in research laboratories chosen by each student. By the end of the first year, each student has chosen his/her research adviser and has begun work on his/her dissertation project. A qualifying examination must be completed before the end of December of the second year. An annual Cancer Biology Conference provides students with an opportunity to present their research to one another and to the faculty in the program. The expected time to degree is four to five years.

Molecular cancer biologists at Duke University seek to understand the complex regulatory mechanisms that govern mammalian cell growth and differentiation, discern how these mechanisms are perturbed in malignant cells, and how our knowledge of these regulatory mechanisms might lead to improved anti-cancer therapy. This research covers the boundaries of disciplines such as pMCB Student Andrea Walensharmacology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, genomics, and cell biology, which together are leading to greater understanding of the basic mechanisms underlying growth regulation and their alterations during tumor progression and metastasis.

The Program in Molecular Cancer Biology (MCB) includes faculty from multiple participating departments and centers across Duke University and Duke School of Medicine. Program scientists are actively engaged in dissecting the regulatory networks that control the processes of growth and development at the cellular and molecular levels, and identifying the defects that lead to oncogenic transformation. The approaches used by the investigators include genomics, genetics, cell biology, molecular biology and protein biochemistry. An ultimate goal is to identify novel candidates for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of cancer. Graduate training in this program is greatly enhanced by the collaborative interactions among investigators across the University and the School of Medicine.

The Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, and Molecular Therapeutics track in the PEMM program provides comprehensive training leading to a Ph.D. or combined M.D.-Ph.D. degrees. The faculty has developed a rigorous course of study and created a supportive environment aimed at providing students with all the tools necessary to compete effectively for the attractive positions in the biomedical sciences. In addition to journal clubs and one elective, course work in Cancer Biology or Current Approaches in Experimental Therapeutics is required.

Graduate student Stephanie Bouley and Lab Manager India Dasbach in the Sanchez lab.

3-D bioluminescent imaging to quantify relative numbers of luciferase-labeled breast cancer cells in the abdominal mammary fat pads of mice. (Credit: Riley Hampsch, PhD student).

The Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, and Molecular Therapeutics track in the PEMM program provides comprehensive training leading to a Ph.D. or combined M.D. degrees. In addition to journal clubs and one elective, course work in Cancer Biology or Current Approaches in Experimental Therapeutics is required.

The molecular biology revolution has yielded unprecedented volumes of information on the origins of cancer and the numerous genetic changes underlying the disease. This knowledge is providing a revolution in therapeutic strategies. Even now, patients primarily receive drugs whose activity against the tumor is limited by unacceptable toxicity. But the future is much brighter with the development of rationally-designed agents that target many of the molecular characteristics of the tumor, thereby providing greater protection to the patient. Other approaches hope to intercede in the process of carcinogenesis before tumors even develop. Our goal is to educate accomplished scientists with high scientific integrity, who think critically, communicate effectively, and have skills that will permit contribution to diverse professional settings within academia, industry, and beyond.

The goal of this program is to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the biology of cancer, the underlying mechanisms, and the possible means to prevent and treat the disease. Each student will undertake a unique research project, using many of the modern tools of cell and molecular biology to answer important questions in the field of cancer research and to help with the overall goal of eliminating suffering and death from this disease.

In Cancer Biology, our researchers work to reveal and understand the various steps that drive a normal cell to become a cancer cell and how these changes that often vary from cancer to cancer impact how a cancer grows, spreads and responds to different types of therapy. From molecular genetic alterations hose that change cells by mutating its DNA to epigenetic alterations those that change cells by altering the chemical environment of DNA investigators are uncovering and gaining new understanding about key genes, biochemical processes, and molecular pathways cancers use to develop, grow and spread. Exciting new findings have a direct impact on prevention and treatment. Recent advances include novel screening tests that can detect cancer DNA in a small sample of blood or other body fluids and alert doctors to the earliest presence of cancer. These tests could also be used to monitor treatment responses and to signal cancer recurrence. Molecular genetic and epigenetic changes are also being used as biomarkers for precision, or personalized, medicine approaches that guide screening and treatment. These biomarkers can pinpoint individuals with alterations that may put them at greater risk for cancer, distinguish benign cysts, polyps, and tumors from malignant ones, and steer clinicians to therapies that will work best and away from those that are unlikely to work for each patient. Investigators in the Cancer Biology Program collaborate with researchers in other programs, including Cancer Immunology and Cancer Prevention and Control, and use these collaborative discoveries to advance the progress against virtually every type of cancer.

Cancer biology is a major area of study for students in the DGP and IBiS graduate programs, as well as students in the MSTP program. Historically, the Cancer Biology curriculum has been one that extends beyond departmental boundaries and across campuses, having been initiated as an interdepartmental training program in the 1980’s. Students throughout Northwestern have been active participants in journal clubs, research-in-progress meetings, mini-symposia and seminars sponsored by the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center. Every year in the fall, the Cancer Biology Cluster hosts an informational meeting and reception, to welcome new students on the Evanston and Chicago campuses interested in learning more about the cluster.

Signal transduction growth factor receptors protein structure drug design and chemical biology signaling cues that direct cell proliferation, differentiation and development lab.

Pharmacology cancer cell biology small GTPase regulation of intracellular traffic and cellular growth control lab.

Reproductive physiology molecular and cellular physiology epigenetic reprogramming during the egg-to-embryo transition mechanisms by which specific histone modifications are dynamically regulated during hormone-dependent gene transcription in breast cancer cells.

Medical genetics and genomics and cancer biology research.

Tissue-engineered model systems for analysis of microenvironmental conditions fundamental to cancer pathogenesis and therapy lab.

Cancer biology veterinary oncology clinical oncology molecular oncology DNA damage chemosensitivity and novel therapeutics.

(a) Immunology of nanomaterials and implantable materials and (b) safe and targeted delivery of mRNAs and DNAs for cancer immunotherapies vaccines and neurological diseases.

Tissue morphogenesis cell shape and architecture gan development gut morphogenesis mammary gland biology breast cancer lab.

Cellular biomechanics mechanotransduction cell migration muscular dystrophy and cancer cell biology lab.

Stem cells and cancer pathogenesis of ovarian and prostate cancers modeling of human disease in genetically modified mice and human organoids lab.

Genetics of reproduction and germ cell development cancer genetics meiosis DNA repair genome manipulation in mice functional genomics lab.

Functional genomics gene regulation molecular genetics gastrointestinal physiology stem cell biology metabolic disease lab.

Hematopoietic and hemostatic disorders in animals mechanisms of cancer metastasis lab.

Veterinary viral pathogenesis mesenchymal stem cell biology and regenerative medicine mammary stem cell biology and carcinogenesis lab.

Molecular mechanisms for the maintenance of genomic stability cellular responses to DNA damage mouse models of human cancer lab.

Cancer biology stem cell biology biochemistry and cell biology lab.

The Cancer Biology Graduate Program is designed to train students for a career in basic and applied cancer research, as well as in related careers associated with the application of information through biotechnology, and the dissemination of information to the next generation of scientists and to the lay public.

Students will be exposed to a series of cutting-edge research areas (such as cancer precision medicine and tumor immunotherapy) and technologies (genomics, proteomics, CRISPR Cas9-mediated genome editing, etc.) both in the course work and in the laboratory setting. Training will extend to exercises designed to develop independent thinking, skills in oral and written presentation, analysis of data and information, and dissemination of information through preparation of grants and manuscripts, as well as teaching.

The program combines rigorous course work with laboratory training and exercised designed collectively to provide students with the necessary theoretical and practical skills to launch productive careers. At the conclusion of their training students will be in a position to competitively pursue an increasingly wide rage of available careers, including: academic research, teaching, scientific consulting and science writing, basic and applied science in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry, and scientific administration at National Institute of Health National Cancer Institute and private research foundations.

These guidelines supplement and expand the regulations of the Graduate School.

The Cancer Biology Graduate Program is designed to train students for a career in basic and applied cancer research, as well as in related careers associated with the application of information through biotechnology and the dissemination of information to the next generation of scientists and to the lay public. Modern cancer research is based on a broad range of disciplines, including Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Biochemistry, and Bioinformatics, which the students will learn through course work, scientific communication, and laboratory experience. The Cancer Biology Graduate Program is designed to develop independent thinking, problem solving, creativity, oral and written presentation skills, data and bioinformatics analysis, and dissemination of information through teaching. Thus, the proposed program combines rigorous course work with mentored hypothesis-driven laboratory research, and opportunities to develop writing, speaking, and teaching skills. Collectively, these experiences will provide students with the necessary theoretical knowledge, technical experience, and leadership training to launch productive careers using their degree in Cancer Biology. Through dissertation research, students are expected to make original contributions to current knowledge that will impact understanding of cancer biology or cancer diagnosis and treatment. Having graduated from the Cancer Biology department, students will be poised to pursue an increasingly wide range of scientific careers, including academic research, teaching, science writing, scientific liaison, and basic or applied research in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries.

After completing laboratory rotations and the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences (IGP) core coursework, students interested in joining the Cancer Biology Graduate Program will at the end of the second semester of the first year of graduate school. Acceptance is monitored by the Graduate Executive Committee (GEC) and is contingent on satisfactory performance in both coursework and rotations during the first two semesters. In addition, acceptance into the program is contingent upon approval from the Department Chair of the preceptor’s primary appointment. Mandatory documentation of approval by all involved parties will be provided by signing the Cancer Biology Graduate Program Responsibility Form.

Students admitted into the MSTP (M.D. Ph.D.) Program in the School of Medicine are also eligible to enroll in the Cancer Biology Graduate Program. These students will rotate through the laboratories of program members during their first two years of Medical School, and can be admitted into the Program using the same procedure and criteria as entering IGP students.

The transfer of students into the Cancer Biology Graduate Program from another Vanderbilt Graduate Program is dependent on the approval of the Graduate Executive committee (GEC, see below). (Note that failure to pass the Qualifying Exam in another Vanderbilt Graduate Program excludes admission to the Cancer Biology Graduate Program.) Similarly, the DGS should be informed if a student intends to transfer out of the Cancer Biology Graduate Program so the DGS can assist with negotiating an appropriate course of action.

The direct admittance of graduate students to the Cancer Biology Graduate Program can be accomplished with the written permission of the mentor whose laboratory they wish to enter and approval by the GEC.

The Cancer Biology Graduate Program is run by the Program Director (currently Jin Chen), who is appointed by the Cancer Biology Department Chair (currently Harold Moses). The Program Director also serves as the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) for the Cancer Biology Program. In addition, the Chair appoints an Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) representative for Cancer Biology (currently Barbara Fingleton), who represents the department on the IGP admission committee. Cancer Biology Graduate Program policy is monitored and enforced by the Graduate Executive Committee (GEC) (currently Jin Chen, Barbara Fingleton, Ann Richmond, Hal Moses, and Kathy Gould). The Qualifying Examination Parent Committee (QEPC) (currently Jin Chen, Hal Moses, Ann Richmond, Vito Quaranta, Alissa Weaver, Simon Hayward, Bob Matusik, Al Reynolds, Richard Peek, and Barbara Fingleton) is responsible for maintaining consistency and continuity across the Qualifying Examination process.

Graduate Executive Committee (GEC). The GEC assists the Program Director in monitoring the progress and welfare of the students. Most issues can and should be resolved through consultation with the DGS, but there are limitations to the power and scope of the DGS with respect to certain types of conflict. The GEC exists to ensure fairness and to provide a general oversight role for the Cancer Biology Program. These individuals meet as needed to arbitrate and resolve special situations that arise from time to time in the course of a student’s graduate career.

The Program Director DGS serves as official spokesperson for the Cancer Biology Graduate Program, the liaison with the Graduate School, and representative of the program in matters of university policy. When necessary, conflicts can be referred to the GEC (see above).

The Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP) representative sits on the IGP Admission Committee, which selects incoming graduate students and determines IGP policy.

The departmental administrative contact(s) (DAC) coordinates program admission in response to direction from the Department Chair and the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS), completes the graduate award forms for student tuition and fees, tracks program requirements, and maintains the student files throughout their course of study. Students are responsible for the registration of their courses.

Qualifying Examination Parent Committee (QEPC). The QEPC is made up of 10 primary or secondary appointees to the Department with experience with graduate student mentoring. The chair of the QEPC is the DGS. Members of the QEPC serve as Chairs of the qualifying examination committees. The QEPC meets regularly during the time of the qualifying examinations and is charged with maintaining consistent standards in examination format and consistent criteria for passing all components of the qualifying examination. The QEPC serves as the first-line arbitrator in the case of a dispute regarding the outcome of the Qualifying Examination. (Current membership of the QEPC is mentioned above).

There is no formal teaching requirement. Students pursuing the doctorate may participate in the IGP Focus Groups. Also, students are encouraged to assist in the Advanced Cancer Biology course or other courses organized by the Department. The Cancer Biology Student Association (CBSA) organizes a student taught technology course every year to assist new (2nd year) cancer biology students preparing for their qualifying exam. Students are encouraged to participate in this team taught effort. One hour of graduate credit may be earned by participating in an official CANB course as a teaching assistant provided certain criteria are met, as detailed in section II.6 below.

Cancer Biology does not offer a M.S. degree program. Students are admitted to the Cancer Biology Program with the intention of completing a Ph.D. degree. However, M.S. degrees can be awarded if this goal changes. The following criteria must be met for a M.S. Degree:.

A Thesis acceptable to the Graduate Executive Committee and the Graduate School. Minimal requirements for a thesis are:.

The total number of graduate credits must conform to the specification of the Graduate School (i.e., 24 didactic hours and 72 total hours). Students will be expected to maintain a B (3.0) average. Student performance will be monitored by the DGS.

Entrance into the Program in the second year of graduate studies requires that students, except Medical Scientist Training program (MSTP students), complete the core curriculum governed by the IGP. In accordance with this program, each student rotates through laboratories of their choosing during the first year of their graduate studies. Students participate in experiments in these laboratories and write a short summary of their activities, which is submitted to the IGP. As many as 16 hours of didactic credit may be earned from the IGP curriculum excluding elective courses.

Elective courses to reach the total of 24 didactic hours of formal courses (an additional 8 credits) are to be chosen from high-quality, formal 300 level courses given by the Program In Cancer Biology, Cell and Developmental Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Pathology, and Pharmacology in the School of Medicine, or approved courses given by the Biological Sciences in the School of Arts and Sciences. A list of available courses is found in the Graduate School Bulletin. The topic will be determined by the specific research interests of the student.

MSTP Cancer Biology students have the option of transferring courses which are particularly pertinent to training in Cancer Biology as per the current version of The Compass.

All students enrolled in the Cancer Biology Program must take Introduction to Cancer Biology and Advanced Cancer Biology (CANB 340 342), which are offered in the fall.

Other than Didactic course work the remainder of the student’s 72 hours will be earned through their CANB 379 (Non Candidate research) and CANB 399 (Candidate research) classes. One hour of CANB 379 credit may be earned from serving as a teaching assistant for an official CANB course. To qualify for the TA-credit, students must fulfill the following criteri (i) Have successfully completed both the required cancer biology courses CANB340 and CANB342 and (ii) Have obtained approval from their mentor for participation in the program.

(1) Prospective TAs must participate for at least 2 semesters in a monthly 1-hr journal club to discuss articles related to effective teaching techniques for science education.

U grades should be used when the primary mentor believes that the student is not performing to expectation. Three Unsatisfactory grades results in automatic dismissal from Graduate School. The student should schedule a Dissertation Committee meeting to be held as soon as possible. As usual, the Dissertation Committee chair should submit a report summarizing the Dissertation Committee’s assessment. The student has the right to appeal a U grade, and the details of appeal process can be obtained through the DAC. Failure of the student to convene regular dissertation committee meetings every 6 months can result in assignment of U grade by the Dissertation Committee.

Training in Biomedical Statistics is required. In view of the movement to incorporate this topic into the required IGP Bioregulation course, it is not listed as a separate requirement. However, in the event that this training is inadequate, a separate course will be developed and will become a requirement for Cancer Biology graduate students.

All graduate students are required to attend the weekly Cancer Biology Science Hour Seminar series. Students are required to present their research in a Work in Progress format each year they are in the Cancer Biology program from the third year in graduate school until the Ph.D. in Cancer Biology is awarded. Lisa McCawley is currently the person in charge of the seminar series. Should there be some valid reason for not being present the student should notify Lisa ahead of time to request an excused absence. Students are expected to document their attendance each week on the sign in sheet and to participate by listening and asking thoughtful questions of the speakers.

The qualifying exam for admission to Ph.D. candidacy consists of two parts, both pertaining to the student’s intended thesis proposal. Part I will consist of a written review article covering key papers that serve as background for the student’s dissertation project. The number of articles reviewed will vary depending on the topic of research. However, under most circumstances between 30 and 60 references will be cited. There should be an emphasis on the primary literature and while in some instances it may be appropriate to cite another review, the Review is not a review of reviews, but of the primary literature. The student is expected to identify what is currently known the topic, integrate the most recent findings in the field in the context of what is current ‘dogma’ in the field, identify remaining questions in the field, and describe how answering these remaining questions would impact our understanding of the indicated area of cancer biology, or how answering these questions could be translated to improved clinical outcome for cancer patients. The written review should conform to the style of review articles published in Cancer Research (see Instructions to Authors for journal specifications regarding formatting). The written review should include at least one original schematic figure representing information integrated in the Review. The written Review must not draw from the preceptor’s previously written reviews, publications, or grant proposals. The written Review must represent the student’s original writing. Evidence of plagiarism will be grounds for disciplinary action.

The Examination Committee will be assigned by the DGS with input from the mentor. Once the Examination Committee has received the written Review, the Examination Committee and the student will convene in the format of an oral examination to test the student’s general knowledge of topics and techniques related to the field in which the Review is written. The qualifying exam committee will determine whether the student has the appropriate scientific background, writing skills, and information integration skills to answer key questions remaining in the field. Failure of part I will result in an opportunity to remediate the skills identified as insufficient through tangible efforts, such as increased journal discussion with the preceptor, attendance at scientific writing workshops, and additional exercises in scientific problem solving through experimental approaches. The Committee will present the students with a written critique of the Review article. Within 3 months, the student will submit a revised version of the written Review to the Examination Committee, including a point-by-point response to the comments written by the Examination Committee. The Committee will convene with the student in an oral examination format. The Examination Committee will determine whether the student has the appropriate background and skills to move to the next examination phase.

March 15 is the deadline for submission of review article topic and aims of the research proposal. (MSTP students can defer to Aug. 1 if necessary). A copy of the abstract and research proposal aims should be submitted to the DGS by email. Failure to meet this deadline can result in dismissal from the Graduate Program. In rare instances, the DGS may grant an extension.

The DGS will assign examining committees with input from the mentor. The fourth committee member should have their primary appointment from a different graduate program. The Chair of the Qualifying Exam Committee will be a member of the Qualifying Examination Parent committee, which will meet regularly and assist with consistency and continuity across student examinations. The student’s mentor will provide input to the DGS on the membership of the Qualifying Exam Committee.

When an exam date is confirmed, the student is required to immediately inform the DAC and members of the examining committee of the confirmed date. The DAC is required by the Graduate School to turn in the Request to Schedule Qualifying Exam form at least 2 weeks prior to the exam. If the student fails to notify the DAC in time, this mechanism will fail and the exam will have to be rescheduled. A formal memo will be distributed to the committee members and the DGS one week prior to the exam. The student is required to submit the review article to members of the Qualifying Exam Committee at least one week prior to the exam date.

The Qualifying Exam Committee will evaluate the written content of the review article and during the oral exam will question the student on the background area of the research topic, the key questions that remain in the field covering the review article, how experiments would be designed to answer those questions, and the students general knowledge in the areas of Cancer Biology, Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biostatistics, and Responsible Conduct in Research.

The student will receive a pass or fail on both the written document and the oral exam. A grade of fail on either part of the exam constitutes a fail and the student will have the opportunity to retake the exam only once and this must be completed within 3 months of the initial exam. If the examination must be repeated, a written detailed description of expectations and suggestions to improve the deficiencies must be conveyed to the student and to the Qualifying Examination Parent Committee, with a copy placed in the student’s file. If the student fails a second time there will not be an opportunity for another retake of the exam and the student must follow the Graduate school guidelines for failure of Qualifying Exam. In the case of a dispute regarding the result of the qualifying examination, the QEPC will act as an arbitrator, hearing both the committee and the student’s viewpoint on the outcome of the examination.

Upon approval of the written thesis proposal, the oral defense and general knowledge portion of the exam will go forward. The student will make an oral presentation to the dissertation committee followed by a comprehensive discussion of the specific aims of the proposal. The defense itself is a formal presentation and defense of the scientific reasoning on which the proposal is based and the rationale for experimental design. It should result in agreement between student, mentor, and committee regarding the overall plan and direction. During the student’s presentation, the mentor will not participate in the discussion. The purpose of the discussion is to ensure that the student has the opportunity to receive advice and the opinions of the committee members in the endeavor to accomplish the goal of obtaining a Ph.D. degree.

The questioning by the committee members will generally follow the topics included in the grant proposal, but can comprehensively cover areas of cancer biology and any topics that the committee feels the student should be familiar. Questions will determine both the depth and breadth of the student’s knowledge. At least 30 minutes should be dedicated to general knowledge questions.

If the student does not pass the oral exam, the committee can give the student one additional chance to repeat any part of the exam that is deemed inadequate. This must be done within 6 months of the original exam. For example, the student might be required to rewrite one or several sections of the proposal or it may be necessary to repeat a particular aim where general knowledge or logic is lacking. Additionally, the student might be asked to research and write a report on a particular technical issue where knowledge is lacking. If the examination must be repeated, a written detailed description of expectations and suggestions to improve the deficiencies must be conveyed to the student and to the Qualifying Examination Parent Committee, with a copy provided to the DAC for placement in the student’s file. The QEPC will provide advice to the examination committee as to the criteria required for passing the Qualifying Examination. If the student fails a second time there will not be an opportunity for another retake of the exam and the student must follow the Graduate school guidelines for failure of Qualifying Exam. In the case of a dispute regarding the result of the qualifying examination, the QEPC will act as an arbitrator, hearing both the committee and the student’s viewpoint on the outcome of the examination.

A dissertation committee should be selected within 6 months of completion of the qualifying exam.

Although the mentor is responsible for the scientific direction of the dissertation research, one of the other committee members with an appointment in the Dept. of Cancer Biology will serve as the Administrative Chair of the committee.

The choice of committee members can be critical and should be carefully considered. Committee members are considered co-mentors for the duration of the graduate career and can be extremely valuable assets, particularly if the primary mentor lacks expertise in a particular technology or field. Good scientists do not limit projects to their own restricted area of expertise, and students should consider whether their choices of committee members can close critical gaps in their mentor’s experience. While students are always encouraged to seek external expertise, the individuals on the thesis committee will be especially committed as co-mentors to needs that are unmet by primary mentors. Committee meetings should be scheduled at least every 6 months, and can be frequent if progress is slow or there is a particular issue to be resolved. The student is responsible for assuring that these meetings are held at appropriate times. Failure of the student to convene the Dissertation Committee for the established regular meeting times can result in a grade of Unsatisfactory.

The first meeting of the dissertation committee will allow for discussion of the Thesis Proposal and allow for incorporation of any revisions after the second phase of the qualifying exam. Following the acceptance of the Thesis Proposal, the student is required to meet with the dissertation committee once every six months to discuss progress. The student should prepare a short (1 2 pages) written progress report, which should be emailed to committee members one week prior to the meeting. Following the meeting, the Administrative Chair of the dissertation committee is responsible for making certain that there is written feedback to the student on their progress and the expectations for the next meeting are clearly defined. A copy of the written communication should be submitted to the student, the DGS and the DAC who will place the electronic copy of the report in the student’s file. The committee can consider frequent meetings if necessary. At all stages of the student’s graduate training, continuation in the program is contingent upon satisfactory progress in research-oriented activities.

The dissertation should be written in close consultation with the mentor, and the mentor must read and approve the dissertation before it is copied and distributed to other dissertation committee members. The dissertation should be submitted in printed format to members of the dissertation committee at least 2 weeks prior to the defense. The dissertation must conform to the guidelines set by the Graduate School and must be submitted to the dissertation committee at least one week before the final defense. The student should consult the Academic Regulations section of the Graduate School catalog for detailed information on the dissertation requirements. Further, students should consult with Graduate School personnel to be certain of required format.

The dissertation research project must result in publication of an appropriate number of original and first author research articles as approved by the mentor and the Dissertation Committee. It is preferred that all requirements for the Ph.D. be completed prior to the scheduling of the defense, including publication of relevant papers documenting accomplishment of the aims of the research proposal. In no instance will the Ph.D. be conferred without publication of original research with first authored papers or the equivalent. There are some cases where a student can receive permission from the Chair to complete their Oral Defense prior to publication of manuscript(s) derived from the dissertation research. In this case the student’s committee will hold off on signing the student’s title pages for their thesis until the requirements for Ph.D. are completed. The committee may, however, sign the Results Form for the defense to be turned in to the DAC following the Oral presentation. Degree confirmation will be based on when the actual written thesis, including the signed title pages, is finally submitted to the graduate school.

The final defense is administered by the student’s dissertation committee after obtaining approval from the DGS. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Committee members and DAC of the date, time, place, and title of the final defense at least 3 weeks ahead of time. This must be turned in to the Graduate School and the DAC at least one week prior to the defense date to allow time for processing of paper work. Failure of the student to notify the DGS, DAC and graduate school within the above time frame can result in postponement of the defense.

Committee members will receive an official notice from the Graduate School at least one week prior to the defense if paper work has been turned in prior to that. The date and time of the defense will be published in the Vanderbilt Calendar as a public announcement. The final defense should be completed at least 14 days before the deadlines posted by the Graduate School each semester for Thesis Submission. This will allow ample time for any possible revisions suggested by the Committee to be completed and approved.

Dissertation defense announcements will be distributed to the Cancer Biology Department and to the appropriate Calendars and E-mail lists by the DAC 1 week prior to the defense. This will publicize the event and provide topic information to those attending the defense. Students needing to postpone should give the information to the DAC prior to that time.

The defense begins with a public seminar. Following the seminar, the committee meets with the student for the final oral examination phase of the defense. The final examination is concerned with the student’s dissertation, the literature relevant to the research topic, unanswered questions, conclusions, and the significance of the study. Passing the final oral examination is denoted by signatures of the dissertation committee members on the Dissertation Results Form. The signed form should be submitted by the student to the DGS for signature and submitted to the DAC for posting to the Graduate School. A copy will be made for the student’s file. Passing the written dissertation is denoted by signatures on the required title page in the dissertation, and can occur at a later date if additions or corrections are required.

The department will pay the fees required by the Graduate School for binding and microfilming the dissertation. The department also pays for the binding of the Cancer Biology library and the mentor copies of the thesis. The student will obtain a binding fee payment form for the Graduate School charges from the DAC when ready to turn in the thesis to the Graduate School editor.

Per formatting guidelines from the graduate school, hard-bound copies of the dissertation for the mentor and department library should be an original and on bond paper. The student is responsible for the cost of bond paper and printing. Students may Campus Copy for binding services. The student is responsible for binding costs for all other copies and should be prepared to pay for those up front.

A student is considered Graduated when a student has completed the oral defense, the Dissertation Results form has been signed as passed by the dissertation committee members and the DGS, and the thesis has been accepted by the graduate school. Once the committee has signed the title pages for the thesis, the student is required to turn the thesis in to the graduate school within a week. A student may not hold on to a signed thesis in order to prolong enrollment. Once a student is graduated, they should no longer be working in their labs unless they have been hired as an employee in that lab. To complete the graduation process a student must fulfill the following.

Complete and turn in Intent to Graduate Form by the stated deadlines for each semester. The student completes the form and obtains the signature of the DGS. The DGS forwards the completed form to the DAC who then makes a copy of the form for the student’s file and sends the original to the Graduate School prior to the deadline.

Successfully pass the Dissertation Defense. Turn in the completed and signed Dissertation Defense Results form to the DAC along with a signed grade form for any outstanding grades that have not been turned in. (The dissertation defense results form can be downloaded by the student from the Graduate School website before the defense. The student will obtain the signature of the DGS on the forms signed off on by the dissertation committee and submit this to the DAC who will make copies for the student’s file and send the originals to the Graduate School.

Turn in the final copy of the thesis, including any revisions suggested by the student’s committee, to the Graduate School by the stated deadlines for each semester See the Graduate School website for deadline dates.

Degree Conferral occurs 3 times a year: May, August and December. The actual date the degree is conferred is usually toward the end of the semester. There may be a lag time up to several months between the date of graduation and the date of conferral if a student defends at the beginning of a semester or after the thesis submission deadlines for the prior semester.

Students receiving degree conferral in August and December can make arrangements with the Registrars office to pick up their diplomas but otherwise diplomas will be mailed to the permanent address indicated on the Intent to Graduate form.

The Commencement Ceremony is only held in May. It is optional and has no bearing on the official graduation or degree conferral date. It is a ceremonial recognition of the student’s accomplishment only. All students graduating in the summer or fall just prior to the May ceremony may participate but will have already received their diplomas in the mail. Spring recipients will be handed their diplomas at the ceremony if they have indicated they will be participating on their Intent to Graduate Form. If not their diplomas will be mailed to the permanent address listed on the Intent to Graduate form.

The student may obtain information ordering regalia and participation in the ceremony on the grad school website. If a student chooses to participate they must notify the DAC of who will be hooding them and confirm that the person has agreed to do so. A student may request the Chair of the Department hood them if their mentor is not available.

Vanderbilt University highly encourages electronic applications to its graduate programs (see links below) Those students interested in Cancer Biology should through the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP). Followings are a few general requirements.

Click here to via the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program (IGP).

Graduate Courses Administered by the Program in Cancer Biology.

[Formerly CANB 340] Introduction to Cancer Biology.

This course is focused on molecular and cell biological under-pinnings of cell migration, with emphasis on cancer motility, invasion and metastasis. It is an in-depth analysis of three to four research areas in mo-.

Lecular and cell biology. It is intended for graduate students with a strong foundation in experimental biology. Students in interdisciplinary fields such as engineering and mathematics are welcome (and encouraged) to take the course if they already have some background biological knowledge, however it is encouraged to discuss enrollment with the instructor first. This course will add options for graduate students interested in cancer metastasis and related biological processes (leukocyte motility, bone and tissue remodeling, embryonic development, etc.) taught by experts in each sub-discipline through lectures and discussions of papers from the current literature. This is a didactic lecture series in which general concepts in Cancer Biology will be reviewed. Topics range from molecular biology of cancer (oncogene and tumor suppressors) to novel concepts such as cancer stem cells and therapeutic approaches.

CANB 8342[Formerly CANB342] Advanced Concepts in Cancer Biology.

Course Director Barbara Fingleton Credit hours 4 Day(s) Time: Wed.

Advanced concepts in Cancer Biology will be reviewed in depth using a combination of lectures and student-led discussion sessions based on current literature. This course is offered only in tandem with the Introduction to Cancer Biology course to be taken concurrently.

CANB 8344 [Formerly CANB 347] Cancer Systems Biology.

This course is designed to familiarize student with the emerging field of Cancer Systems Biology. The focus is on research and education programs that link biology, engineering, and computer science in a multidisciplinary approach to the systematic analysis and modeling of complex biological phenomena, such as cancer. It is designed for students with an interest in interdisciplinary training and research in the area of computational and systems biology.

This course will provide an of systems biology approaches and tools it will familiarize the students with simple mathematical models for cell proliferation, motility and metabolism. It will also provide an introduction to computational biology with a special emphasis on biological networks, including: construction of gene or signaling networks using literature-based knowledge and existing databases, basics of graph theory, visualization and analysis of networks from high-throughput data. There will be a strong focus on hands-on training of system biology tools and their application to designing experiments and interpreting results in a modern cancer research laboratory.

CANB 8384 [Formerly CANB 384] Cancer Precision Medicine.

This course will provide a unique experience in oncology where medical and graduate students work together to explore the molecular drivers of cancer and how that information is translated into targeted cancer therapies. Students will learn the risk factors for and signaling pathways that are often deregulated in cancer through seminars and literature review sessions. This information will be used as a platform to.

Describe how molecular changes are detected in the laboratory and leveraged in the clinic for personalized patient care. Students will examine the multidisciplinary teams necessary in the care of cancer patients through participation in tumor board meetings, clinical experiences, and roundtable discussions. Further cancer screening, imaging, pre-clinical drug discovery, the advantages and barriers of clinical trials, and socioeconomic disparities will be presented in this course. Although this course will focus on melanoma, breast cancer, and lung cancer, students will demonstrate an ability to their knowledge of tumor diagnosis and targeted inhibition to other tumor types through a group project.

[Formerly CANB 344] Current Topics in Cancer Biology: Tumor microenvironment and cancer immunity.

This is a graduate-level seminar course focusing on cancer as a complex biological system. The goal of this course is to provide the students with comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge the dynamic and spatial interactions that exist among molecules in a cancer cell, between cancer cells and their microenvironment . The class will discuss on recent publications on tumor-host interaction with a focus on cancer immunity.

[Formerly CANB 351] Teaching Assistantship in Cancer Biology Curriculum.

Enrollees in the course will act as teaching assistants for one of the Cancer Biology courses (8340 or 8342 in Fall 8347 or 8384 in spring) with a maximum of 16 hours class contact time. All enrollees will.

[Formerly CANB 369] Master’s Thesis Research.

Research prior to entry into candidacy (completion of qualifying examination) and for special non-degree students. [Variable credit: 0-12].

This course is focused on molecular and cell biological underpinnings of cancer cell migration, invasion and metastasis. It is an in-depth analysis of three to four research areas in molecular and cell biology. It is intended for graduate students with a strong foundation in experimental biology. Students in interdisciplinary fields such as engineering and mathematics are welcome (and encouraged) to take the course if they already have some background biological knowledge, however it might be wise to talk with the instructor first. This course will add options for graduate students interested in cancer metastasis and related biological processes (leukocyte motility, bone and tissue remodeling, embryonic development, etc.) taught by experts in each sub-discipline through lectures and discussions of papers from the current literature.

Molecular Foundations of Medicine is designed to familiarize students with the cellular structures, biomolecules, and processes that constitute life, human health, and disease at the molecular level. The course employs an integrated approach to teach underlying principles of biochemistry, cell and tissue biology, and genetics with an emphasis on human systems and medical conditions. The inclusion of clinical correlation sessions, small groups, and laboratory sessions will further integrate and broaden course material and relate molecular processes to the study of human disease.

[Formerly CANB 320] Cancer and Development.

A cross-listed CDB CB graduate-level course that will examine relationships between cellular responses in normal tissue development and cancer. The goal of the course is to familiarize the students with major cellular pathways and responses that are regulated in normal embryonic and post-natal tissue development and how abnormal re-activation of these responses gives rise to malignant disease.

Tristin Abair 2007 Chief Medical writer, priME Oncology.

Laura DeBusk 2008 Scientist, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute.

Jamie Ausborn 2016 Postdoctoral fellow, Dana Farber Cancer Inst.

Kimberly West 2008 Scientist, Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute.

Executive Chair David Elion (Cook Lab) Executive Co-Chair Zach Sandusky (Lannigan Lab) Academic Co-Chair Courtney Edwards (Johnson Lab) Academic Co-Chair Jennifer Pilat (Williams Lab) Graduate Student Representative Verra Ngwa (Chen Lab) Financial Chair Tolu Omokehinde (Johnson Lab) Philanthropy Co-Chair Rachel Brown (Williams Lab) Philanthropy Co-Chair Samantha Beik (Lopez Lab) Communication Chair Vera Mayhew (Johnson Lab) Social Chair Ariana von Lersner (Zijlstra Lab).

2017-2018 Executive Chair Zach Sandusky Laura Kim assist with retreat planning Financial Chair Ariana von Lersner Academic Co-Chair 1 Eileen Shiuan Academic Co-Chair 2 David Elion Philanthropy Chair Rachel Brown Social Chair Kristin Kwakwa Communications Chair Jennifer Pilat Graduate School Council Rep Aaron Lim.

2016-2017 Executive Chair Michelle Williams Financial Chair Zach Sandusky Academic Co-Chair 1 J-N Gallant Academic Co-Chair 2 Merrida Childress Communications Chair Kristin Kwakwa Social Chair Eileen Shiuan Philanthropy Chair Gabrielle Rushing Graduate Student Rep Aaron Lim.

The Molecular Oncology (MO) Program at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center brings together investigators whose mission is to identify and validate molecular pathways critical to the initiation, progression, maintenance and metastases of cancer.

Two large circles, one pink, one blue, are arrayed with the names of researchers in the Molecular Oncology program.

This diagram illustrates the focus areas of Molecular Oncology investigators.

The Molecular Oncology (MO) Program at Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center brings together investigators whose mission is to identify and validate molecular pathways critical to the initiation, progression, maintenance and metastases of cancer.

MO specifically investigates those aspects of cancer that clearly differentiate cancer from non-cancer cells. The goal is to validate targets, identify the most critical pathways and create novel probes that will lead to a transition for clinical trials with either established or novel agents.

Key accomplishments in this Program include the discovery of a novel small molecule that targets an oncogenic fusion protein, the finding of STAG2 as a regulator of chromosomal integrity that is deleted in many cancers, and a novel method to chemically reprogram cancer cells.

The Program has 21 full members and 24 associate members. MO has assembled an outstanding group of investigators who approach the most fundamental aspects of biology, but do so through the lens of cancer models.

The Molecular Oncology Program has two specific aims:.

Aim 1: Define and exploit unique genomic and epigenomic events that initiate and sustain cancer growth.

Aim 2: Determine the biological mechanisms that underlie stem cell-like phenotypes, altered metabolism and metastatic spread of cancer cells.

Byers, PhD, Professor, Oncology, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology GU.

Fung-Lung Chung, PhD, Professor, Oncology, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology GU.

Fornace, MD, Professor, Oncology, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology GU.

Dean Rosenthal, PhD, Associate Professor, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology GU.

Schlegel, MD, PhD, Professor, Pathology, Oncology GU.

Jeffrey Toretsky, MD, Program Leader, Professor, Oncology, Pediatrics GU.

Aykut Uren, MD, Professor, Oncology, Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular and Cellular Biology GU.