Established in 1970, the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center is named for the legendary Green Bay Packers and Washington Redskins coach Vince Lombardi, who was treated for cancer at Georgetown University Hospital. What began as a small clinic grew over the years to become a state-of-the-art cancer center.

In 1990, Lombardi won the designation of "Comprehensive Cancer Center" from the National Cancer Institute (NCI). To obtain this designation, a center must meet strict research, clinical trials and community outreach criteria. In 2003, Lombardi's comprehensive cancer center status was renewed by the NCI.

Lombardi's internationally-renowned clinical team offers the latest treatments for virtually every type of cancer, with a particular emphasis in solid tumors and adult and pediatric hematologic cancers.

Tumor Biology Training Program

Program Overview

Masters in Tumor Biology
Recognizing that many scientific careers require training beyond the bachelor's degree, but not to the extent of the doctorate, the Tumor Biology Program has implemented a Masters of Science program specifically to meet the needs of these individuals. The M.S. program provides students with an interdisciplinary concentration in the study of Tumor Biology. The program provides a comprehensive curriculum for students interested in cancer research as well as laboratory research experience. Faculty research areas include cancer genetics, molecular epidemiology and biomarkers, drug resistance, chemotherapeutics, growth factors and oncogenes, angiogenesis and metastasis, malignant transformation, hormones and cancer, clinical oncology, and cell division.

The M.S. in Tumor Biology program is a one year (2 full-time semester) program with admissions in the fall semester. The formal requirements for a MS degree in Tumor Biology are completion of 30 graduate credits and a laboratory experience (Cancer Research Techniques) over two semesters.

Ph.D. and M.D./Ph.D. in Tumor Biology
The formal requirements for a doctoral degree in the Tumor Biology Program are completion of 33 credit hours, with at least a B average (including the designated core courses), three (3) different laboratory rotations, satisfactory completion of a comprehensive examination, a thesis proposal, a written dissertation, and a final oral defense. It is anticipated that following completion of the first two years of formal course work (or one year for MD/PhD students with approximately 30 hours of credit from the medical school) that completion of the final phases of the PhD will require approximately three additional years.

Comprehensive Examination: All students will follow a uniform format for this examination, which typically comes after 3 to 4 semesters of class work (2 semesters for MD/PhD students). Students will choose a major topic and two minor topics (which may focus on research methodology). Major and minor paper topics must be approved by the Tumor Biology Oversight Committee. For the major topic, a critically written paper on an area of cancer research will be prepared. Examination of major and minor topics will be by a committee of four (4) faculty members, plus the chosen dissertation advisor. The examination will contain an oral component consisting of a presentation and a defense of the papers.

Thesis Proposal: All students in their third year (second year for MD/PhD students) will write and defend a thesis proposal before a committee consisting of their dissertation mentor, three (3) program faculty members, and an outside reader. The Tumor Biology Oversight Committee must approve the Thesis Committee.

Written Dissertation: Upon completion of a thesis project, a written dissertation must be approved by the student's Thesis Committee.

Final Oral Defense: The final stage of graduate training involves an oral presentation of the thesis. In attendance will be the Thesis Committee, program members, and interested Medical Center personnel.

Curriculum

Typical Curriculum for Masters Students
(30 Credits)

Semester 1

Biochemistry and Cellular Sciences I (3)
Modern Methods in Molecular Biology (3)
Current Topics in Cancer Research (1)
Biostatistics (3)
Cancer Research Techniques (3)
Electives (3 - 6)

Semester 2

Molecular Cell Biology (4)
Tumor Biol II: Cellular and Molec Aspects of the Transformed Cell (3)
Ethical Issues in Scientific Research (2)
Current Topics in Cancer Research (1)
Electives (3-6)

Typical Curriculum for Ph.D. Students
(33 credits)

Summer Before Enrollment - Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit) (optional)

Year 1

Semester 1

Biochemical and Cellular Sciences I (3)
Modern Methods in Molecular Biology (3)
Interdisciplinary Research Survey (3)
Biostatistics (3)
Current Topics in Cancer Research (not for credit)
Student Seminar (not for credit)
Techniques (not for credit)
Elective (3 - 6)

Semester 2

Biochemical and Cellular Sciences II (3)
Principles of Biomedical Sciences (3)
Cellular and Molecular Aspects of the Transformed Cell (3)
Ethical Issues in Scientific Research or Cancer Research Survival Skills and Ethics (2)
Preparing a Scientific Paper (2)
Current Topics in Cancer Research (1)
Student Seminar (1)
Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit)

Summer After First Year - Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit)

Year 2

Semester 1

Cancer Pharmacology (3)
Electives (0-3)
Current Topics in Cancer Research (not for credit)
Student Seminars (not for credit)
Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit)

Semester 2

Current Topics in Cancer Research (not for credit)
Student Seminar (not for credit)
Thesis Research (not for credit)

Years 3 - 5

Thesis Research

Typical Curriculum for M.D./Ph.D. Students
(who enter with up to 30 credits)

Summer Before Enrollment - Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit)

Summer After First Year of Medical School - Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit)

Summer After Second Year of Medical School - Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit)

Year 1 of Ph.D. Training

Semester 1

Modern Methods in Molecular Biology (3)
Cancer Genetics or Pharmacology (3)
Electives (0-3)
Current Topics in Cancer Research (not for credit)
Student Seminar (not for credit)
Cancer Research Techniques (not for credit)

Semester 2

Biochemical and Cellular Sciences II (3)
Cellular and Molecular Aspects of the Transformed Cell (3)
Electives (0-3)
Current Topics in Cancer Research (not for credit)
Student Seminar (not for credit)

Years 2 - 4

Thesis Research (not for credit)

Comprehensive Postdoctoral Training Program in Cancer Biology
Numerous recent reports on science education and training have emphasized the importance of preparing young scientists for the real world. While hands-on research experience in a high-quality laboratory setting remains the central component of both pre-and postdoctoral training, there is also a need for formal training in areas such as ethics and scientific communication. In addition there is also a need for personalized career mentoring to assist trainees in the development of specific skills that will enable them to succeed in their chosen career path.

Our Comprehensive Postdoctoral Training Program in Cancer integrates three specific components:

1. interactive research in the basic biology of cancer,
2. formal and informal coursework in key areas, and
3. individualized guidance in career development.

An individualized training program draws upon courses in scientific writing, teaching methodologies, scientific resources/technologies for cancer research, and ethics in science. This approach provides a solid foundation in the skills needed to succeed in a career science, as well as a focused research experience in basic cancer biology in a strong laboratory environment.

In addition, this program will provide opportunities to obtain support for the transition from postdoctoral trainee to independent cancer research scientist. Recognizing that there are many ways in which scientists can use their training in the battle against cancer, this program will provide information on nontraditional career paths. Our objective is to encourage individuals who choose not to pursue traditional research, but may wish to use their background in cancer research in other areas like science writing or public policy.

Trainees in this program will be exposed to the diversity of the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center research scientists involved in a variety of multidisciplinary aspects of cancer research. Key components of the training program that foster strong collaborations and communication with the program faculty are:

* the Interdisciplinary Research Survey Course, which introduces more than 60 faculty at the Medical Center and their research;
* weekly research seminars presented by Lombardi members;
* weekly Lombardi outside speaker seminar series; and
* weekly journal club.

The combination of components designed and developed for this program, along with Lombardi's extensive experience in cancer research and training, results in a unique, comprehensive postdoctoral training program that prepares young scientists for successful, productive careers in the fight against cancer.

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This article is reposted with thanks to Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center.