PhD in Translational Cancer Biology Program Outcomes

Our PhD program trains talented scientists who can accelerate translation of laboratory findings into patient care.

Outcome: Original research

Demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to identify and conduct original research in cancer.

These knowledge and skills will be acquired through:

  • Didactic coursework;
  • Participation in journal clubs;
  • Cancer center-sponsored seminar series;
  • Grand Rounds;
  • Attendance at tumor boards;
  • Clinical shadowing;
  • Direct mentoring by the faculty advisor;
  • Attendance and participation in grant writing workshops; and
  • Studying and writing grant proposals.

Assessment of learning will be made by grades in course work, the ability to pass the qualifying exam administered by the advisory committee, direct laboratory assessment by the research mentor, and direct assessment of progress by the research committee for the dissertation.

Outcome: Communicate findings

Ability to effectively communicate findings of original research as well as in the general area of cancer.

These abilities are acquired by:

  • Attendance at required seminars and Grand Rounds given by faculty and peers;
  • Presentations at informal weekly lab meetings;
  • Presentation at the annual Cancer Research Day;
  • Mentored writing of grant proposals and manuscripts as part of research training and qualifying exams; and
  • Review of manuscripts with permission from journals.

Assessment of these skills will be made by:

  • Successful completion of the oral and written portions of the qualifying examinations;
  • Grades for formal seminar presentations based on outcome rubrics;
  • Publication of manuscripts; and
  • Awarding of pre-doctoral fellowship grants and grants-in-aid of their research.

Outcome: Generate and test hypotheses

Ability to think critically, generate hypotheses, and experimentally test hypotheses and solve problems related to cancer.

These abilities will be acquired by:

  • Up-to-date literature review;
  • Required attendance at seminars by faculty and peers;
  • Presentations at informal laboratory meetings, formal seminars and committee meetings;
  • Writing a pre-proposal for dissertation; and
  • Writing a dissertation proposal.

Success in obtaining these skills will be measured by:

  • Evaluation and grading of formal seminar presentations on outcome assessment rubrics appropriate for the student’s specific area of research;
  • Direct assessment by the mentor, advisory and research committee members, and other faculty on the student’s pre-proposal and dissertation proposal;
  • Publication of research manuscripts; and
  • Success in getting pre-doctoral grant proposals funded.

Outcome: Ethical and responsible research

Ability to conduct research in an ethical and responsible manner.

These abilities will be acquired by:

  • Successfully completing required courses in research ethics;
  • Modeling of appropriate behavior in seminars by faculty and peers;
  • Direct mentoring by the research mentor; and
  • Mentoring by the dissertation research committee.

Acquisition of these skills will be assessed by:

  • Grades in ethics classes;
  • Assessment by outcomes rubrics appropriate for the student’s specific area of research;
  • Direct observation by the research mentor (quality of record keeping and data entry, attention to data reproducibility, etc.); and
  • Direct oversight by the dissertation research committee.

Our PhD program is unique in its focus on translational cancer biology through collaborative interactions between basic and clinical research faculty.

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