Program Description
The Cancer Biology Graduate Program at the Wayne State University School of Medicine and the Karmanos Cancer Institute is dedicated to providing an outstanding training experience in the rapidly evolving field of cancer research.
Historically, researchers involved in cancer biology research have focused on a particular field in biology or medicine relating to alterations in fundamental biological processes that result in malignancy, progression to fatal metastatic disease, or success or failure of therapy. However, continued advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment will require scientists who have a greater specialization in the biology of cancer while, at the same time, exposure to a host of disciplines, ranging from biochemistry to cell biology and immunology, and to state-of-the-art cell biology and molecular biology methods.
Our philosophy behind the PhD training program in Cancer Biology is that to train the next generation of cancer researchers requires a strong interdisciplinary graduate curriculum with a major focus on the biology of cancer and opportunities to regularly interact with clinicians engaged in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Our goal is develop scientists with capacities for critical scientific thinking needed to conduct original research as an independent cancer investigator. The PhD program consists of formal course work which provides a comprehensive education in the basic concepts, along with solid training in the core disciplines that serve contemporary cancer research. Our graduates gain a broad understanding of the fundamental principles that underlie this diverse and dynamic field with in-depth knowledge in their dissertation discipline. An integral part of the training experience involves opportunities to develop written and oral communication skills essential to future success as a cancer researcher. To complete the PhD, students must successfully defend the dissertation research and complete a publishable research project under the guidance of a faculty mentor.