Ph.D in Biomedical Science - Cancer Biology
JianTing Zhang, Ph.D., chair
Kandace Williams, Ph.D., co-track director
Xiaohong Li, Ph.D., co-track director
The Cancer Biology track within the Biomedical Science Program at the University of Toledo fosters young scientists to become cutting-edge researchers who understand the molecular and genetic basis of cancer and the knowledge to develop improved therapies for human cancer. Students in the Cancer Biology track develop scientific thinking and laboratory skills to approach cancer research questions in ways that will best lead to success. Graduates of the Cancer Biology program move on to become successful scientists and leaders in academic, government, and industrial settings. CAB students may pursue the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree or, after acceptance into the medical school, a combined MD/PhD degree. The Masters’ degree in Cancer Biology is not currently offered.
The CAB program faculty research interests and areas of expertise are: 1) Control of tumor cell growth and death, 2) Signal transduction, 3) Mechanisms of cancer cell motility and chemotaxis, 4) Invasion and metastasis, 5) Molecular genetics of cancer risk, 6) Influence of tumor microenvironment on cancer progression and metastasis, 7) Protein trafficking, 8) Epigenetic regulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. 9) Chromatin remodeling and mechanisms of DNA repair, 10) Nitric oxide signaling alterations in cancer cells and 11) Adipogenesis and pre-adipocyte/adipocyte functions; Role of adipokines in cancer.
Cancer Biology PhD students enroll in a first-year core curriculum that is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for cutting edge research. The first-year curriculum provides students with a comprehensive overview of molecular and cellular biology, systems pathophysiology, modern research methodology, and statistical analysis. In addition, students complete laboratory rotations during the first two semesters to identify a Cancer Biology major advisor and laboratory for their dissertation research project. PhD students complete three rotations and then may join a Cancer Biology laboratory in the spring semester of their first year. Doctoral students in good academic standing may be supported financially by a tuition scholarship and stipend during their academic training. This financial assistance does not require the student to be a Teaching Assistant for undergraduates, thus enabling the student to more fully concentrate on his/her graduate program.
Cancer Biology Track
All CAB students are expected to give a CAB student seminar every year, except when the student’s graduate advisory committee approves that s/he may begin writing their dissertation, that student may be exempt from giving a seminar but is still required to attend all CAB seminars during this time. CAB students are also required to present posters in the annual COMLS Graduate Student Research Forums and oral presentations in the annual Larry Gentry Research Symposia beginning in their second year.
The PhD Qualifying Exam is taken in the Fall semester of the second year. Prior to completing the exam, students should carry out their dissertation research under the course Research in (CABP 6730) or in some cases, Independent Study in (CABP 6890). After passing the Qualifying Exam, students conduct their research under the course Dissertation Research (CABP 9990).
The minimum number of credits required for PhD is 90, with a minimum of 24 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade), and a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation research. The remaining credits are approved electives and research in the Cancer Biology track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST TERM | 9 credits | |
Introduction to Biomedical Research 1 | ||
Current Problems and Reseach Approaches (CPRA) in: | ||
| BMSP 6330 | Current Problems and Research Approaches in Proteins | 2 |
| BMSP 6340 | Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom | 2 |
| BMSP 6360 | Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Membranes | 2 |
| BMSP 6380 | Methods in Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
| BMSP 6390 | Mentored Research | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SECOND TERM | 9 credits | |
| BMSP 6350 | Cell Biology & Signaling | 3 |
| BMSP 6390 | Mentored Research | 1 |
| CABP 6560 | Readings in Cancer Biology | 1 |
| BMSP 6470 | System Pathophysiology | 4 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THIRD TERM | 6 credits | |
| INDI 6020 | On Being a Scientist | 1 |
| BMSP 7320 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| CABP 6730 | Research in Cancer Biology | 1-2 |
| CABP 6890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-2 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FOURTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| PhD Qualifying Examination - successful completion required by end of Fall semester Year 2 | ||
| CABP 8270 | Advanced Cancer Biology (or take in 3rd year) | 3 |
| BIPG 7100 | Fund Bioinform and Proteomics | 3 |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP (only if qualifying exam passed) | 1-6 |
| CABP 6730 | Research in Cancer Biology (if qualifying exam not passed yet) | 1-6 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FIFTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 8560 | Readings in Cancer Biology | 1 |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 1-8 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-8 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SIXTH TERM | 6 credits | |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 1-6 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SEVENTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 3-9 |
| CABP 8270 | Advanced Cancer Biology | 3 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EIGHTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 8 |
| CABP 8560 | Readings in Cancer Biology | 1 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NINTH TERM | 6 credits | |
| Dissertation Research CABP | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TENTH, ELEVENTH, TWELFTH TERM | ||
| Year 4 (9 credits Fall, Spring, 6 credits Summer) | ||
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 9 or 6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ELEVENTH TERM | ||
| Year 5 and beyond (Total 1 credit all semesters) | ||
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 1 |
Cancer Biology Track
All CAB students are expected to give a CAB student seminar every year, except when the student’s graduate advisory committee approves that s/he may begin writing their dissertation, that student may be exempt from giving a seminar but is still required to attend all CAB seminars during this time. CAB students are also required to present posters in the annual COMLS Graduate Student Research Forums and oral presentations in the annual Larry Gentry Research Symposia beginning in their second year.
The PhD Qualifying Exam is taken in the Fall semester of the second year. Prior to completing the exam, students should carry out their dissertation research under the course Research in (CABP 6730) or in some cases, Independent Study in (CABP 6890). After passing the Qualifying Exam, students conduct their research under the course Dissertation Research (CABP 9990).
The minimum number of credits required for PhD is 90, with a minimum of 24 credits of didactic coursework (letter grade), and a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation research. The remaining credits are approved electives and research in the Cancer Biology track.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST TERM | 9 credits | |
Introduction to Biomedical Research 1 | ||
Current Problems and Reseach Approaches (CPRA) in: | ||
| BMSP 6330 | Current Problems and Research Approaches in Proteins | 2 |
| BMSP 6340 | Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom | 2 |
| BMSP 6360 | Current Problems and Research Approaches in Cell Membranes | 2 |
| BMSP 6380 | Methods in Biomedical Sciences | 2 |
| BMSP 6390 | Mentored Research | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SECOND TERM | 9 credits | |
| BMSP 6350 | Cell Biology & Signaling | 3 |
| BMSP 6390 | Mentored Research | 1 |
| CABP 6560 | Readings in Cancer Biology | 1 |
| BMSP 6470 | System Pathophysiology | 4 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THIRD TERM | 6 credits | |
| INDI 6020 | On Being a Scientist | 1 |
| BMSP 7320 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| CABP 6730 | Research in Cancer Biology | 1-2 |
| CABP 6890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-2 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FOURTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| PhD Qualifying Examination - successful completion required by end of Fall semester Year 2 | ||
| CABP 8270 | Advanced Cancer Biology (or take in 3rd year) | 3 |
| BIPG 7100 | Fund Bioinform and Proteomics | 3 |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP (only if qualifying exam passed) | 1-6 |
| CABP 6730 | Research in Cancer Biology (if qualifying exam not passed yet) | 1-6 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FIFTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 8560 | Readings in Cancer Biology | 1 |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 1-8 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-8 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SIXTH TERM | 6 credits | |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 1-6 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SEVENTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 3-9 |
| CABP 8270 | Advanced Cancer Biology | 3 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EIGHTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 8 |
| CABP 8560 | Readings in Cancer Biology | 1 |
| CABP 8890 | Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | 1-6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NINTH TERM | 6 credits | |
| Dissertation Research CABP | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TENTH, ELEVENTH, TWELFTH TERM | ||
| Year 4 (9 credits Fall, Spring, 6 credits Summer) | ||
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 9 or 6 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ELEVENTH TERM | ||
| Year 5 and beyond (Total 1 credit all semesters) | ||
| CABP 9990 | Dissertation Research CABP | 1 |
First-Year Core Curriculum SLOs
Upon completion of the first-year Core Curriculum, a BMSP Ph.D. student will be able to:
FY1. Identify and summarize the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs
FY2. Describe the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms that maintain the normal function, development, and plasticity of cells, tissues, and organs
FY3. Summarize basic disease causes and processes that affect the structure and function of cells, tissues, and organs
FY4. Assess and critically analyze relevant basic science and clinical literature.
FY5. Design and conduct applicable biomedical sciences experiments.
FY6. Organize, interpret and summarize results of applicable biomedical sciences experiments.
FY7. Demonstrate ethical and responsible conduct in research and all other scholarly activities consistent with the University of Toledo, College of Mediicne and Life Sciences.
K1 Knowledge of the normal structure and function of the body and its organ systems.
K2 Knowledge of molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms important in maintaining the body’s homeostasis.
K3 Knowledge of the molecular mechanisms of oncogenic transformation from initiation of cells through tumor metastasis.
K4 Knowledge of the pathophysiology of prominent types of cancer.
K5 Knowledge of basic bioinformatic and statistical methods used in the design and interpretation of research projects.
K6 Knowledge of the principles and legal responsibilities that govern responsible conduct of research, the ethical care and use of animals in research, and the accurate reporting of research results.
S1 The ability to perform laboratory procedures necessary for the completion of the student’s dissertation (Ph.D.) or thesis (M.S.) research project(s).
S2 The ability to design and complete an independent research project.
S3 The ability to perform research productively as an individual or member of a research team.
S4 The ability to communicate research findings effectively, both orally and in writing.
S5 The ability to retrieve (from electronic databases and other sources), manage, and utilize biomedical information for solving problems that are relevant to the appropriate completion of a research project, and accurate reporting of the results.
P1 Ethical, responsible, and reliable behavior in all aspects of their professional lives.
P2 Honesty and integrity in all interactions with colleagues, research subjects, and others with whom students may interact in their professional lives.
P3 Professionalism in dress and grooming in compliance with health and safety rules applicable to research laboratories and to other institutional and public sites.
P4 Respect and adherence to all laws and regulations governing the biomedical research use of animals and patient materials, and for all patient privacy issues.