JianTing Zhang, Ph.D., chair
Xiaohong Li, Ph.D., track director

The Cell & Cancer Biology (CCB) track within the Biomedical Science Program at the University of Toledo fosters young scientists to become independent investigators who understand the molecular and genetic basis of cancer and have the knowledge of cell biology to develop improve. Students in the Cell & Cancer Biology track develop critical and logical thinking and laboratory skills to approach cancer research questions in ways that will best lead to success. Graduates of the Cell & Cancer Biology program move on to become successful scientists and leaders in academia, government, and industrial settings. CCB 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 also currently offered.

The CCB program faculty research interests and areas of expertise are 1) Aging and cancer, 2) Autophagy and cancer metabolism, 3) Cancer cell motility and chemotaxis, 4) Cancer dormancy,  progression, and metastasis, 5) Chromatin remodeling and epigenetic regulation, 6) DNA damage and repair, 7) Drug discovery and delivery, 8) Therapy/drug resistance, 9) Tumor microenvironment, 10) Molecular genetics of cancer risk, 11) Signal transduction.

Cell & Cancer Biology PhD students enroll in a first-year core curriculum that is designed to provide foundational knowledge for cutting edge research. This curriculum offers a comprehensive overview of molecular and cellular biology, systems pathophysiology, modern research methodology, and statistical analysis. During the first two semesters, students complete three rotations then identify an advisor and join a Cell & Cancer Biology laboratory for their dissertation research project. Students in good academic standing are supported financially with a tuition scholarship and stipend during their academic training. This financial assistance does not require the student to be a Teaching Assistant for undergraduates, allowing them to focus on their graduate research.

Admission requirements

• An earned degree: Baccalaureate (e.g., B.S., B.A.) or graduate degree (e.g., M.S.) granted by an accredited college or university. 
• GPA: A 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) or higher from the institution granting the baccalaureate or graduate degree. A foreign credential evaluation is required for all applicants who have completed coursework or degrees at non-US institutions.
• Coursework: Prior coursework in biology, biochemistry, cell and molecular biology, physiology, statistics, and genetics relevant to graduate studies in cell and cancer biology are required. 
• Letters of recommendation: Three or more letters of recommendation are required. Recommendation letters must be signed by the letter writer and full contact information for the letter writer must be provided. The letter should highlight the professional relationship between the applicant and the letter writer, the applicant's work ethic, previous research experience and/or academic preparations, and the intellectual contributions to the research project, if applicable.
• Statement of purpose: Applicants are required to provide a Statement of Purpose, which highlights academic and research training prior to application, CCB faculty and projects that are of particular interest, and future career goals.
• Resume/CV: Applicants are required to submit a resume/curriculum vitae.
•  Applicants whose native language is not English and who received their undergraduate degrees from non-English speaking institutions must demonstrate a minimum level of English proficiency to be considered for admission into a UToledo graduate program. Please review Proof of English Language Proficiency for Graduate Students for more information.

Please note that students accepted into our program do not need to find a mentor before they matriculate. All students complete three laboratory rotations during their first year and then make a mutual decision with a mentor for their dissertation research. Outstanding applicants are eligible to compete for University Fellowships after being admitted to this program.  Please click search now for more information.  Applications generally open in October and close at the beginning of March.

The CCB graduate track uses a holistic approach to assess and evaluate applicants. The CCB Graduate Admissions Committee carefully considers each applicant's GPA, college/university where previous degrees were awarded, previous coursework, letters of recommendation, previous research experience, publications/presentations (if applicable), statement of purpose, and resume/CV.  Either an in-person or a virtual interview (e.g., WebEx) will be conducted for top applicants. 

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
BMSP 6000	Entering Research	1
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	2
BMSP 6470	System Pathophysiology	4
BMSP 6350	Cell Biology & Signaling	3
INDI 6020	On Being a Scientist	1
BMSP 7320	Statistical Methods I	3
CABP 6730	Research in Cancer Biology	7
CABP 8270	Advanced Cancer Biology	3
BIPG 7100	Fund Bioinform and Proteomics	3
CABP 9990	Dissertation Research CABP (After QE, CCB students take Dissertation Research every year until final defense. The total hours are 30 )	34
CABP 8560	Readings in Cancer Biology (CCB students will take this course for three semesters. The total hours are 3. )	1
BMSP 6010	Strategic Approaches to Biomedical Research	2
BMSP 8250	Grant Writing Workshop	3
CABP 8890	Ind Study in Cancer Biology	15
CABP 8250	Scientific Communication Skills and Career Goals	2
Total Hours		90

Workshop "Entering Research", 0 credit, is required in the First Term for all CCB Track Graduate Students. 

All CCB students are expected to give a CCB student seminar (Reading class presentation is accounted for) every year, except when the student’s graduate advisory committee approves that s/he may begin writing the dissertation, that student may be exempt from giving a seminar but is still required to attend all CCB seminars during this time. CCB students must also 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 Ph.D. Qualifying Exam is taken in the Fall semester of the second year. Before 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 8890). After passing the Qualifying Exam, students conduct their research under the course Dissertation Research (CABP 9990).

The minimum number of credits required for a 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.

Year 1

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
First Term		Hours
BMSP 6000	Entering Research	1
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	1-15
	Hours	8-22
	Total Hours	8-22

Workshop "Entering Research", 0 credit, is required in the First Term for all CCB Track Graduate Students. 

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Second Term		Hours
BMSP 6470	System Pathophysiology	4
BMSP 6390	Mentored Research	1-15
CABP 8560	Readings in Cancer Biology	1
	Hours	6-20
	Total Hours	6-20

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Third Term		Hours
BMSP 7320	Statistical Methods I	3
BMSP 6010	Strategic Approaches to Biomedical Research	2
CABP 6730	Research in Cancer Biology (optional)	1-15
BIPG 5110	Practical Bioinformatics	1
CABP 8890	Ind Study in Cancer Biology	1-15
INDI 6020	On Being a Scientist	1
	Hours	9-37
	Total Hours	9-37

Year 2 and beyond

Plan of Study Grid

Second Year		Hours
CABP 6730	Research in Cancer Biology	1-15
CABP 8270	Advanced Cancer Biology	3
CABP 8890	Ind Study in Cancer Biology	1-15
CABP 6560	Readings in Cancer Biology (required to take 3 credit hours)	1
CABP 9990	Dissertation Research CABP (after passing QE)	1-15
BIPG 7100	Fund Bioinform and Proteomics (required in the Fall of year 2)	3
	Hours	10-52
	Total Hours	10-52

Note: Successful completion of the qualifying exam is required by the end of February Year 2. 

• PLO 1. Integrate and assimilate key concepts involving the normal and pathophysiology of cells, tissues, and organs, and extend the knowledge into the dissertation projects. 
• PLO 2. Describe the molecular, biochemical, and cellular mechanisms that maintain the normal function, development, and plasticity of cells, tissues, and organs
• PLO 3. Outline molecular mechanisms of oncogenic transformation from tumor initiation through metastasis. 
• PLO 4. Be able to summarize major pathobiological features of prominent types of cancer - breast, prostate, lung, skin, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer. 
• PLO 5. Accrue acumen regarding basic bioinformatics and database analysis. Be able to apply statistical methods in experiment design and execution, and data analysis and interpretation.
• PLO 6. Able to ethically conduct laboratory research (RCR), and follow humane care in research involving animals; able to accurately record experimental procedures and properly interpret experiment data promptly. 
• PLO 7. Able to hone skills to formulate, develop, and refine a testable hypothesis based on the premise from their preliminary data and background knowledge through the scientific literature. 
• PLO 8. Able to design and execute experiments independently and collaboratively (apply interpersonal skills) while accomplishing their Ph. D. degree. 
• PLO 9. Able to plan and conduct reproducible research productively as an individual and /or as a research team member timely. 
• PLO 10. Able to articulate effectively, both orally and in writing the original research findings 
• PLO 11. Able to retrieve (from electronic databases and other sources), manage, and utilize biomedical information (biomedical informatics) to solve research problems and accurately record and report. 
• PLO 12. Demonstrate responsible and reliable behaviors in all aspects of their professions, i.e., responsible citizenship in a global society. 
• PLO 13. Demonstrate honesty and integrity (scientific conduct) in all aspects, accept and welcome diverse views and perspectives in the scientific field, and demonstrate the professional role communally and globally.
• PLO 14. Professionalism in dress and grooming (decency and decorum) in compliance with health and safety rules of research laboratories (laboratory etiquette), and institutional and public sites. 
• PLO 15. Respect and adherence to all laws and regulations governing the biomedical research use of animal and human substances and patient privacies.