Ph.D in Biomedical Science - Cancer Biology
JianTing Zhang, Ph.D., chair
Kandace Williams, Ph.D., co-track director
Dayanidhi Raman, 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 25 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 | 11.5 credits | |
Introduction to Biomedical Research 1 | ||
Current Problems and Reseach Approaches (CPRA) in: | ||
| BMSP 6330 | Curr Prob Res App Protein Str | 2.5 |
| BMSP 6340 | Curr Prob Res App Genes/Genom | 2 |
| BMSP 6360 | Curr Prob Cell Membranes | 2.5 |
| BMSP 6380 | Methods Biomed Sciences | 2.5 |
| INDI 6020 | On Being a Scientist | 1 |
| BMSP 6390 | Mentored Research | 1 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SECOND TERM | 9 credits | |
| BMSP 6350/8350 | Cell Biology & Signaling | 3 |
| BMSP 6390/8390 | Mentored Research | 1 |
| CABP 6560/8560 | Readings in Cancer Biology | 1 |
| BMSP 6470 | System Pathophysiology | 4 |
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| THIRD TERM | 6 credits | |
| BMSP 7320 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| Research in Cancer Biology 1 | ||
| Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FOURTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 8270 | Advanced Cancer Biology (or take in 3rd year) | 3 |
| Dissertation Research CABP (only if qualifying exam passed) | ||
| BIPG 7100 | Fund Bioinform and Proteomics 1 | 3 |
| Research in Cancer Biology 1 | ||
| Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| FIFTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| CABP 8560 | Readings in Cancer Biology 1 | 1 |
| Dissertation Research CABP 1 | ||
| Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SIXTH TERM | 6 credits | |
Second Year PhD Qualifying Examination (successful completion reqd in fifth or sixth term) | ||
| Dissertation Research CABP 1 | ||
| Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SEVENTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| Dissertation Research CABP 1 | ||
| Advanced Cancer Biology 1 | ||
| Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| EIGHTH TERM | 9 credits | |
| Dissertation Research CABP 1 | ||
| Readings in Cancer Biology 1 | ||
| Ind Study in Cancer Biology (or other elective) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| NINTH TERM | 6 credits | |
| Dissertation Research CABP 1 | ||
Third Year Student Seminar (required in seventh or eighth term) | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| TENTH, ELEVENTH, TWELFTH TERM | ||
| Year 4 (9 credits Fall, Spring, 6 credits Summer) | ||
| Dissertation Research CABP | ||
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ELEVENTH TERM | ||
| Year 5 and beyond (Total 1 credit all semesters) | ||
| Dissertation Research CABP | ||
1 Required.