Cancer Sciences PhD

Cancer Prevention PhD Track

After completing prescribed courses, doctoral students are expected to pursue research relevant to their theses. A minimum 72 credit hours is required, which may include applicable master’s degree credits. Research leading to a doctoral degree requires at least two years of full-time research in addition to fulfilling the course requirements.

A wide range of cutting-edge research is ongoing, including:

• Cancer epidemiology to identify modifiable risk and prognostic factors
• Development and application of risk and prognostic biomarkers
• Intervention trials for cancer risk reduction
• Intervention trials for prognostic benefits
• Population-based studies of Omics (i.e., genomics, proteomics, metabolomics, epigenomics, etc.)
• Cancer survivorship
• Cancer health disparities
• Tobacco regulatory science
• Tobacco cessation

Cancer Genetics and Computational Oncology PhD Track

The Cancer Genomics, and Computational Oncology Track emphasizes cutting-edge basic and translational research, conducted using both experimental and computational approaches, performed with outstanding scientific rigor and reproducibility, leading to high quality publication of students’ work.

Students in CGCO track can choose between two concentrations of course work:  a Cancer Genetics and Genomics concentration, or a Computational Oncology concentration.  Both concentrations will gain some expertise in bioinformatics, but the Computational Oncology concentration students will get further in-depth training in computational biology.

We stress critical evaluation of published data through our journal clubs and acquisition of oral communication skills through seminar courses. You’ll also participate in professional development by attending international conferences and presenting your research.

Research areas

Faculty research interests cover a broad spectrum of cancer genetics and molecular biology, with exceptional strengths in:

• Isolation and characterization of cancer genes
• Somatic cell genetics
• High-throughput genomics, proteomics, and epigenomics
• Mouse genetics and mouse models of cancer
• Epigenetic and cell cycle regulation in cancer
• Oncogenic signaling pathways and metabolic changes in cancer
• Computational biology and bioinformatics in cancer research
• Biomedical informatics in cancer research
• Statistical analysis and machine learning in oncology
• Tumor heterogeneity and evolution

Tumor Immunology PhD Track

We are the recipient of a unique NIH NCI-sponsored pre-doctoral fellowship program in Translational Tumor Immunology, which provides funds for student stipends and travel and enhances the professional development of our students.

Over the past several years, our students have:

• Published papers in high impact journals such as The Journal of Clinical Investigation, Nature Communications, The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Blood, Cancer Research and The Journal of Experimental Medicine
• Spoken about their research in front of international experts at prestigious national meetings such as the American Association of Immunology and the American Society of Hematology
• Received highly competitive pre-doctoral fellowships from the National Institutes of Health

Immunology graduates have gone on to careers in academia, industry and government. Recent graduates have accepted post-doctoral positions at institutions such as Ohio State, University of Texas Southwestern, Harvard Medical School, Duke University, University of Pennsylvania, and Indiana University.

Cell Stress and Biophysical Oncology PhD Track

Decipher stress response pathways in normal and malignant cells. Use your knowledge of biology, physics and chemistry to develop and improve the ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer. Work with physicians and industrial scientists to bring your discoveries to the clinics.

When you choose the Cell Stress and Biophysical Oncology PhD Track, you’ll be part of a unique multidisciplinary training and research environment. We’re built on synergy between biophysicists, chemists, engineers, molecular biologists and physicians. In addition to mentored research, you’ll have stimulating course work, seminars with presentations by trainees and invited speakers, and various informal scientific and social events.

Research Areas

• Biochemical and genetic investigation of stress-response pathways in normal and cancer cells
• In vivo and in vitro imaging technologies
• Photodynamic therapy and photobiology
• Molecular mechanisms of carcinogenesis
• Discovery of anti-cancer drugs
• Radiation biology and medical physics
• Molecular mechanisms of longevity and aging
• Membrane biophysics
• Drug delivery and pharmacodynamics
• Metabonomics/metabolomics and proteomics
• Structural biology

Experimental Therapeutics PhD Track

Investigate novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. Study the mechanisms of action and preclinical development of novel drugs. Optimize the use of existing drugs through combination therapy, repurposing, and imaging. Identify patient sub-populations and cancer types most likely to respond favorably to new approaches.

When you choose the Experimental Therapeutics PhD track at Roswell Park, you’ll conduct basic and translational research in the areas of cancer biology, drug development, and innovative cancer treatment.

A diverse group of collaborative faculty members conduct research in the following broadly defined areas relevant to cancer therapeutics:

• Identification of novel molecular targets for therapeutic intervention
• Characterizing the mechanisms of action and preclinical development of novel drugs
• Optimizing the use of existing drugs through combination therapy, re-purposing, imaging, and identification of patient sub-populations most likely to respond to treatment

Research questions are addressed using state-of-the-art experimental approaches in genomics, genetics, molecular biology, cell biology, imaging, biochemistry, and animal modeling.