Cancer Biology Concentration

The Advanced Concentration in Cancer Biology is one of eight advanced concentrations leading to the Ph.D. degree under the auspices of the Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences at the University of Florida College of Medicine.

The Cancer Biology Concentration provides training opportunities in cancer research ranging from basic to translational. The program spans many disciplines, including molecular and cell biology, genetics and epigenetics, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, anatomy, pathology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, immunology and many others involved in the understanding of the development, progression, dissemination and treatment of cancer.

The goal of the Cancer Biology Concentration is to utilize molecular, cellular, biochemical, and host experimental approaches develop new knowledge that will enhance our understanding of cancer that will translate into improved detection, prevention and treatment of this disease.

The mission of the Cancer Biology Concentration is to train the next generation of cancer biologists to make significant contributions to basic and translational research in cancer prevention and diagnosis, cancer epidemiology, novel therapy discovery, and cancer treatment.

Students in the concentration will have opportunities to work with outstanding cancer investigators in state of the art facilities. Through combinations of courses, seminars, small group discussions, and an interdisciplinary approach to research, the program allows students to gain a unique understanding of cancer and to build a firm foundation upon which they can build careers in academia, government, and biotech and pharmaceutical industry.

Areas of Research

  • Cancer genetics
  • Pharmacology/toxicology
  • Metastasis
  • Therapy resistance
  • Radiation biology
  • Molecular and cell biology
  • Cancer immunology
  • Stem cells

  • Molecular targeting
  • Cancer diagnostics
  • Cell signaling
  • Tumor microenvironment
  • Gene therapy
  • Drug development
  • Epidemiology
 

The Faculty and Their Research

The Cancer Biology Concentration includes participating faculty from both basic science and clinical departments of the University of Florida. For a list of faculty members in the Cancer Biology advanced program, please click here.

Concentration Contacts

Dietmar Siemann, Ph.D.
Co-Leader, Cancer Biology Advanced Concentration
Department of Radiation Oncology
University of Florida College of Medicine
Phone: (352) 273-8231 | Email: siemadw@ufl.edu

Maria Zajac-Kaye, Ph.D.
Co-Leader, Cancer Biology Advanced Concentration
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology – University of Florida College of Medicine
Phone: (352) 273-9153 | Email: mzajackaye@ufl.edu

Mark Zakshevsky
Graduate Administrator
Phone: (352) 273-8471 | Email: zmz30@ufl.edu

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