About the WashU Cancer Bio Program
Our History
The Cancer Biology (CB) Ph.D. program accepted its first cohort in AY 2020-2021. The goal of the Cancer Biology Program is to provide students with the best possible training for careers as research scientists in cancer biology. Overall, the program is designed to provide the student with the multiple skills required to be an effective research scientist, including (i) an ability to propose, discuss, and critically evaluate ideas, (ii) an understanding of important concepts in Cancer Biology, (iii) an ability to conceive experiments that will test hypotheses, (iv) the technical skill to conduct experiments, and (v) an ability to explain experiments and concepts effectively, in both written and oral presentations. Because of its multi-disciplinary nature, faculty from 16 departments with participate in the Program, including the Departments of Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Radiology, Neurological Surgery, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pediatrics, Cell Biology & Physiology, Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Surgery, Neurology, Pathology & Immunology, and Chemistry.
Contact Information
Cancer Biology Program Directors:
Jason Weber - jweber@wustl.edu
Grant Challen - grantchallen@wustl.ed
Division of Biomedical and Biological Sciences Director (DBBS) Director:
Steven Mennerick - menneris@wustl.edu
Graduate Professional Advisor:
Stacy Kiel - kiels@wustl.edu
YEAR 1 REQUIREMENTS
- Cancer Biology Immersion
- Foundations in Cancer Biology Course (8-weeks)
- 3-Research Rotations (8-weeks each)
- Join Thesis Lab
YEAR 2 REQUIREMENTS
- Mentored Teaching Experience (1-semester)
- Cancer Biology Journal Club (2 units)
- Complete Oral QE
- Advanced Cancer Biology Course with optional clinical mentoring
- NIH Ethics Requirement
YEAR 3 REQUIREMENTS
- Thesis proposal