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PhD program in Cancer Biology, Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics

  • IF image

    Immunofluorescent image of p62 expression (red) in breast tumors grown in mice. Blue counterstain labels DNA/nuclei. (Credit: Riley Hampsch, PhD student)

  • Sanchez lab photo 2

    Graduate student Stephanie Bouley and Lab Manager India Dasbach in the Sanchez lab

  • Michael Cole mentoring Ed Feris

    Michael Cole mentoring Ed Feris

  • Biolumin image

    3-D bioluminescent imaging to quantify relative numbers of luciferase-labeled breast cancer cells in the abdominal mammary fat pads of mice. (Credit: Riley Hampsch, PhD student)

  • David Mallick plays with fire

    David Mallick, hard at work in the Eastman lab

Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, and Molecular Therapeutics program

The Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, and Molecular Therapeutics track in the PEMM has evolved into a new degree-granting program; the Cancer Biology Graduate Program is a department of the Molecular and Cell Biology Graduate Program. 

The Cancer Biology, Pharmacology, and Molecular Therapeutics track in the PEMM used to provide comprehensive training leading to a Ph.D. or combined M.D.-Ph.D. degrees. The faculty developed a rigorous course of study and created a supportive environment aimed at providing students with all the tools necessary to compete effectively for the attractive positions in the biomedical sciences. 

The molecular biology revolution has yielded unprecedented volumes of information on the origins of cancer and the numerous genetic changes underlying the disease. This knowledge is providing a revolution in therapeutic strategies. Even now, patients primarily receive drugs whose activity against the tumor is limited by unacceptable toxicity. But the future is much brighter with the development of rationally-designed agents that target many of the molecular characteristics of the tumor, thereby providing greater protection to the patient. Other approaches hope to intercede in the process of carcinogenesis before tumors even develop. Our goal was to educate accomplished scientists with high scientific integrity, who think critically, communicate effectively, and have skills that will permit contribution to diverse professional settings within academia, industry, and beyond.

The goal of this program was to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the biology of cancer, the underlying mechanisms, and the possible means to prevent and treat the disease. Each student undertook a unique research project, using many of the modern tools of cell and molecular biology to answer important questions in the field of cancer research and to help with the overall goal of eliminating suffering and death from this disease.  Candidates that are interested in Cancer Biology are encouraged to apply to the new Cancer Biology Graduate Program, via the Molecular and Cell Biology Graduate Program. 

Norris Cotton Cancer Center