Doctor of Philosophy of Cancer Biology

The Ph.D. program in Cancer Biology (CBIO) prepares the student for a career in independent research and/or teaching. The Ph.D. is typically followed by postdoctoral training in a specific field of study. Graduates of this program will be prepared for positions in industry, government, and consulting, as well as faculty positions at the college, university, and medical/graduate school level. Students mentored by CBIO faculty currently hold positions in academia, biotechnology, pharmacology, government, and scientific writing.

Students that obtain a Ph.D. in Cancer Biology are required to achieve the following expectations:

  • Become knowledgeable in the areas of study included in the IGPBS (Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in the Biomedical Sciences) core curriculum;
  • Obtain in-depth and up-to-date expertise in a specialized area of knowledge that is appropriate for the field of your dissertation research project;
  • Make original, high quality and publishable contributions to the scientific literature in your chosen research field;
  • Become familiar with the scientific literature through general and specialized journals in biological research, and to develop the ability to critically evaluate the original research in your own and related fields;
  • Become skilled in organizing and communicating information in oral presentations, and to respond to critical questioning;
  • Develop clarity, conciseness, and precision in writing, to aid in grant application writing and publication of your original research results;
  • To learn how to ask incisive scientific questions and gain experience in the design, performance and interpretation of laboratory experiments and observations.
  • To gain familiarity with the preparation and writing of grant applications. (It is expected that all CBIO students identify available fellowship opportunities and apply as appropriate.)
  • To prepare for the teaching as well as the research aspects of an academic career.
  • To obtain instruction in research skills and responsible scholarship.

The faculty in this program have diverse research interests ranging from genetics/genomics, signaling (including, regulatory RNA, cell cycle, hormonal regulation of cancers), tumor-host interactions in carcinogenesis and metastasis, tumor immunology, preclinical research, pharmacology and drug resistance. The curriculum is flexible enough to allow students to pursue areas of special interest while maintaining breadth and rigor of cancer biology knowledge.