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LIFE SCIENCES - SCHOOL OF
MEDICINE
www.biomed.miami.edu
SHEILA AND DAVID FUENTE GRADUATE PROGRAM IN CANCER
BIOLOGY- DEPT CODE: CAB
http://chroma.med.miami.edu/cab
THE PROGRAM
The Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology
is a University-wide interdisciplinary training program that
involves faculty from the basic science and clinical departments
of the University of Miami. The objective of this program
is to provide a unique multidisciplinary training environment
for highly qualified individuals that will prepare them for
independent research and teaching careers. The overall philosophy
of the program is to integrate basic and clinical research.
The scientific focus is on the biology of cancer and the development
of novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
The program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach which
incorporates concepts and state-of-the–art techniques
from molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, biostatistics,
genetics, genomics, immunology, proteomics, structural biology,
clinical oncology, and translational research programs at
the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. An important goal
of the program is to provide students with a strong background
in basic biomedical research coupled with an understanding
of clinical aspects of cancer including diagnostic, prognostic,
and therapeutic intervention. To achieve this goal the program
utilizes a unique program of study that includes lectures
from both basic and clinical researchers. In addition, the
program has a two-tier mentoring system in which students
receive guidance from both a research mentor and a physician
mentor. The research mentor is the dissertation advisor, while
the physician mentor will provide the student with a clinical
perspective in oncology. Through this dual mentorship students
conduct their doctoral research and obtain clinical knowledge
in their area of study. The program aims to instill in students
the ability to design multidisciplinary research programs
in which scientific research is driven by unmet clinical challenges.
The curriculum includes core courses in Tumor Biology, Clinical
Oncology, Scientific Reasoning and Logic in Cancer Biology:
Bench-to-Bedside, Colloquia in Translational Cancer Research,
and Approaches to Understanding Cancer. Students can also
choose electives in cancer epidemiology, cellular and molecular
biology, immunology, pharmacology, and microbiology. During
the first year, students attend a series of lectures in which
oncologists discuss clinical aspects of cancer including epidemiology,
detection and treatment. Rotations through faculty laboratories
provide students with hands-on experience in various research
areas. The rotations also provide the student the background
necessary to select their dissertation advisor and research
area. During the second year of study, students formulate
a dissertation proposal and take a qualifying exam. Their
subsequent research is guided by an individually tailored
dissertation committee, including the research advisor and
physician mentor.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
All students are admitted through the Program in Biomedical
Sciences (PIBS) for the PhD programs in Biochemistry &
Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology, Human Genetics & Genomics,
Microbiology & Immunology, Molecular Cell & Developmental
Biology, Molecular & Cellular Pharmacology, Neuroscience,
and Physiology & Biophysics. The PIBS Admissions Committee
will review and make decisions on applications after December
15th.
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in a biological
or related discipline (e.g., psychology, chemistry, engineering,
physics). Although there are no absolute prerequisites, courses
in general biology, cell/molecular biology, calculus, general
physics, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and biochemistry
are encouraged.
Strong candidates will have research experience in a laboratory
setting (including publications of abstracts and/or papers),
an excellent academic record and GRE scores, excellent letters
of recommendation from scientists who know the candidate well,
and the motivation to pursue state-of-the-art biomedical research.
In the first year all students take a common curriculum to
build a solid foundation in biomedical science. The core coursework
in the fall ranges from molecules to cells to systems of human
physiology. Lectures are balanced by breakout sessions, in
which faculty members discuss the primary literature with
students in small groups. The core curriculum also offers
critical learning opportunities in biostatistics and in using
genomic and other databases, as well as education in ethics.
Students also meet several times in small groups with experienced
faculty mentors to discuss important issues of faculty development.
Specific coursework relating to the individual graduate programs
is done largely in the second and third semesters of study.
• Students should apply online at: www.biomed.miami.edu
CONTACT INFORMATION
Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Miller School of Medicine
P.O Box 019132 (M-877)
Miami, Florida 33101
Phone: 305-243-8533
Fax: 305-243-5555
Directors: Kerry L. Burnstein, Ph.D and Sean Scully, M.D.,
Ph.D.
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