Requirements and Activities
In addition to investigative cancer research in the laboratory of his/her Program mentor, each predoctoral and postdoctoral trainee participates in several additional types of training activities, including 1) the didactic curriculum for the Trainees of both the Cancer Biology (5T32-CA09503) and Cancer Epidemiology/Biostatistics/Environmental Health (5T32-CA009529) programs; 2) two distinct seminar series focused on basic and clinical cancer research, respectively; 3) a data club in which Trainees present their research and obtain feedback from peers and faculty; 4) a trainee-run journal club involving Trainees of both the Cancer Biology and Cancer Epidemiology/Biostatistics/Environmental Health programs; 5) supervised exposure to cancer patients on the oncology wards of Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital; 6) the HICCC Retreat; and 7) cancer-focused Departmental seminars that are co-sponsored by HICCC.
Didactic Cancer Curriculum
Beginning in September 2008, all predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees supported by the Cancer Biology Training Grant (5T32-CA09503) and the Cancer Epidemiology/Biostatistics/Environmental Health Training Grant (5T32-CA009529) are required to pass the Didactic Cancer Curriculum, which will consist of two advanced Columbia University graduate courses taught by the Faculty of both programs. In the Fall semester, Trainees take “Cellular and Molecular Biology of Cancer” directed by Drs. Benjamin Tycko and Richard Baer. This course provides a broad, but intensive, overview of basic cancer research.
The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) seminar series
This series of lectures by invited speakers provides timely exposure to the most relevant developments across the full spectrum of cancer research. The seminars are held at noon on the first Monday of each month.
The Institute for Cancer Genetics (ICG) Seminar Series
This series of lectures by invited speakers provides timely exposure to the most relevant developments in basic cancer research. The seminars are held on a fortnightly basis, alternating with the ICG data club. (Tuesdays at noon)
The Institute for Cancer Genetics Data Club
The data club provides students and postdoctoral fellows a forum in which to present their research and obtain feedback from peers and the faculty. The data club sessions are held on a fortnightly basis, alternating with the ICG seminar series (Tuesdays at noon). All students and postdoctoral fellows in the Institute for Cancer Genetics and all trainees of the Cancer Biology Training Program present their research progress on a rotating basis. To ensure that all participants have the opportunity to present their work at least once every nine months, each session of the data club includes two presentations (30’ each). The data clubs are attended by all ICG personnel, including faculty.
Hematology/Oncology Seminar Series
This series of weekly seminars by invited speakers is organized by the Division of Medical Oncology and provides timely exposure to important developments in clinical and translational cancer research. (Thursdays at 1:00 pm)
Exposure to Patient Care
On one day per year, trainees of the Cancer Biology Program accompany an attending physician during his/her inpatient rounds on the Oncology Service at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital. This allows trainees to see first-hand the tragic effects of cancer and how patients and their families cope with mortality. They can also observe the thought processes of housestaff and physicians, as well as social workers and psycho-oncologists, as they discuss the patients, their medical conditions, social service concerns, and terminal care issues.
The Cancer Center Retreat
Each year the HICCC sponsors a one-day retreat during which various members of the Cancer Center formally present their research progress. These retreats provide an opportunity to stimulate interactions between the many cancer researchers at Columbia University and collaborations between basic, translational, and clinical scientists. It is also a valuable educational experience for trainees in the Cancer Biology Training Program, who gain exposure to new findings and a wide spectrum of cancer research activities.