University of Virginia Health System

Overview

The Molecular Biology of Cancer Predoctoral Training Program is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in cancer research.  Our objective is to supplement the comprehensive educational goals of the doctoral programs in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Virginia with specific cancer-oriented research and training activities.  Students can pursue research in one of the many facets of cancer biology, use modern tools and state of the art techniques, and be exposed to translational research through our Cancer Center and clinical faculty mentors.  Our goal through this training program is to provide young basic scientists with an understanding of physical, clinical, and psychosocial issues related to cancer. 

Qualification Criteria
The Training Program
Coursework
Laboratory Research
Faculty
To Apply
Stipend
Contacts

  Qualification Criteria...

Qualified pre-doctoral trainees are chosen from among students who are either entering, or have entered, the University of Virginia graduate program in Biomedical Sciences (www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/gpo/programs.cfm).  The majority of students who become affiliated with the cancer training program enter through the “Microbiology, Immunology, and Infectious Disease” area of interest, and indicate “cancer” as a research focus in response to the e-mail that is sent to the applicant after he/she has submitted the application.  Trainees are selected in a competitive process from a pool of eligible nominees drawn from the following groups:

1. New applicants to the graduate program in Biomedical Sciences who indicate cancer as their proposed focus of interest.
2. Second and third year students in all the participating departments who have completed the core curriculum, rotated in 2-3 labs, and have chosen cancer-related research in the lab of a mentor from the list of training faculty.
3. Medical students who are either part of the Medical Scientist Training Program [MSTP], or have completed the 2-year basic science curriculum and who now wish to obtain a combined M.D./Ph.D. degree in cancer research.

Awards are made on the basis of commitment to cancer-related research, evidence of promise as a productive scientist, and (when applicable) performance in the core curriculum and in research rotations. 

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The Predoctoral Cancer Training Program is oriented toward providing a strong cancer-related training environment that supplements the basic degree requirements and goals of the degree-granting departments within the University of Virginia.  It is a Ph.D. program that typically requires four to six years of study.  Independent research is at the core of the program.  During the first two years, students complete formal course requirements and rotate through 2-3 different laboratories.  Thesis labs and mentors are chosen after completion of the first year.  Once students have selected thesis laboratories, they become members of the associated department.  Departments participating in the Cancer Training Program each have their own criteria to assess student progress.  In most cases, students prepare and defend a detailed research proposal during the second year.  Successful completion of this process qualifies the student to advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. 

First year students are strongly encouraged to arrive in July to begin their first research rotation.  This allows the student to become acclimated to the department and program before classes begin in the fall.  It also provides them sufficient time to become immersed in a research problem before the demands of course work begin. Designated faculty monitor the progress of the incoming class throughout their first year.  Some programs assign a three-faculty advisory committee to each student.  Students meet with their committees several times during the year to discuss course work, rotations, adjustment to graduate school, and any problems that arise.  This gives students direct access to faculty members and helps the faculty learn about the student's interests and background.

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Students take a select group of core courses in the first semester designed to provide a solid foundation in cell and molecular biology, biochemistry, and gene regulation.  An individualized course work program is then developed to meet the specific interests of the student and the course requirements of the department in which the student will be affiliated.  Among these courses is a course entitled, “The Molecular Basis of Cancer,” which must be taken by all Cancer Training Program trainees. This course provides lectures in clinical as well as molecular aspects of the disease that address the development and characteristics of specific cancers. Students are given the opportunity to develop oral presentation skills throughout their tenure as graduate students by participating in colloquia, journal clubs, research group meetings, and mini-courses.  They also attend various departmental and cancer research seminar series.

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Students perform 2-3 rotations in laboratories of their choice during their first year in graduate school.  These rotations provide an opportunity to become familiar with specific laboratory and research areas while performing small research projects.  Students typically choose to begin their rotations during the summer prior to the beginning of courses so that they can become acquainted with research opportunities before classes begin.  After completion of their rotations at the end of the first year of study, students then choose a research lab and thesis advisor.

The research programs of faculty participants in the Cancer Training Program are nationally and internationally renowned.  They are well-funded from both federal and private sources, providing student research activities with excellent financial and technological support.  Laboratories are well-equipped with modern and sophisticated instrumentation to enable advanced experimentation in cancer research.

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The Cancer Training program is composed of a highly diverse group of faculty with primary appointments in the full spectrum of basic science and clinical departments at the University of Virginia.  The faculty have proven track records of research productivity, collegiality, and training of predoctoral students.  Their expertise spans the areas of viral oncology, tumor immunology, cancer cytology, membrane biochemistry, growth factors and signal transduction, gene regulation, nucleic acid and protein chemistry, enzymology, genetics, drug discovery, and developmental biology.  For a list of Cancer Training Faculty, click here.

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On-line applications are made through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and applications are available through http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/internet/gpo/apply.cfm.   Students should indicate “Biomedical Sciences” as the “department applied to” and the preferred “area of interest” is “Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Disease,” the home department for the Cancer Training Grant.  Following an initial screening, competitive applicants are invited to Charlottesville, at our expense, for an interview with the faculty of the cancer training program. 

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All students in the Cancer Training Program will receive a stipend that is competitive with that offered by other institutions.  Tuition, fees, health insurance and travel costs to scientific meetings are also covered.

Dr. Anjeanette (AJ) Roberts, Ph.D
Assistant Professor of Graduate Education in Microbiology
MII Graduate Program Coordinator
University of Virginia School of Medicine
PO Box 800734
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Jordan Hall, Room 7046A
e-mail:   ajroberts@virginia.edu   
phone:  (434 ) 243-9985      

Dr. Corinne Silva
Director of Graduate Student Recruiting for Cancer Training Program
University of Virginia School of Medicine
PO Box 800578
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Jordan Hall, Room 1215
e-mail:   cms3e@virginia.edu         
phone:  (434) 924-0165

Mrs. Sandy Weirich
Graduate Student Coordinator
University of Virginia School of Medicine
PO Box 800734
Charlottesville, VA 22908
Jordan Hall, Room 7012
e-mail:    sww6j@virginia.edu
phone:  (434) 243-2776

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The Cancer Training Grant is an integral component of the NCI-designated Cancer Research Center(P30 CA44579) at the University of Virginia Health System.

For the past 25 years, this program has prepared selected individuals for careers in basis research and teaching relevant to cancer biology.