Training Timeline & Curriculum

Pre-doctoral Trainees. Predoctoral students are admitted to one of the affiliated Ph.D. programs based on GPA, GRE scores, letters of reference, undergraduate accomplishments, and faculty interviews. Ph.D. requirements are largely consistent across these programs and in line with University guidelines. Each requires: specific required and elective courses, an expectation of timely progress and research productivity, and successful completion of a qualifying exam, dissertation proposal and a dissertation defense. Following the core course sequence, students customize their degree with elective topic-specific courses. Enrolled graduate students will typically apply to the TICaRT Program during their second year of graduate school. All doctoral program requirements enable participation in our program without causing delays in graduation.

Post-doctoral Trainees. Postdoctoral trainees are recruited directly into preceptor’s laboratories and spend over 90% of their effort on research, supervised by the chosen faculty preceptor. Although identified as trainees, individuals accepted into the program are recognized as being one step away from securing faculty positions and being expected to function as independent investigators. For this reason, trainees are provided with structure and guidance in the program but are encouraged to recognize the importance of developing an organizational strategy that will enable them to take on mentoring responsibilities while maximizing their research productivity.

Trainee Teams. Paired teams will be comprised of Ph.D. or dual-degree students and/or postdoctoral trainees. Teams must be from two different colleges, departments or disciplines. Predoctoral trainees will become affiliated with the program typically at the beginning of their third year of study, after passing their PhD qualifying exam. Postdoctoral trainees will become affiliated with the program typically at the beginning of their second year. Each trainee will be supported for up to two years, pending satisfactory progress.

Training Timeline. Predoctoral trainees will typically apply after successfully completing their qualifying exam (year 2) and enter the training program during years 3-4 of their Ph.D. program. Postdoctoral fellows will typically complete the program during years 2-3 of their training. Trainees will receive appointments for a period of two years, with approval for the second year of funding based on productivity and meeting performance milestones.

TICaRT Curriculum. The program curriculum is designed to provide trainees with the foundation needed for a productive career in interdisciplinary cancer research. To achieve this, we have designed a rigorous training program which offers trainees 1) exposure to and interaction with trainees and faculty of diverse science backgrounds; 2) access to accomplished primary faculty mentors and co-mentors; 3) research training with continual feedback and quality control through regular review of each individual’s progress; 4) a solid foundation in research methodology and effective oral and written communication; 5) leadership training; 6) the mentored experience needed to pursue independent research.

GMS 6945 Team Science
GMS 7877 Responsible Conduct of Biomedical Research
GMS 6848 Ensuring Rigor and Reproducibility in Clinical and Translational Research

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