Cancer Biology Pathway

All Molecular Oncology Training Program trainees must:

• Be working with a mentor who is a current Siteman Cancer Center member
• Have the ability to participate in the program for 2 years, typically on or after September 1
• May not be simultaneously supported by an NIH or other federal grant during the program

Predoctoral Molecular Oncology Training Program trainees must be:

• A PhD student working on a cancer biology project (MD/PhD students are not eligible for this pathway);
• Entering their 2nd and 3rd years of graduate training;

Postdoctoral Molecular Oncology Training Program trainees must be:

• Within two years of receiving their PhD at the time of application (MD or equivalent are not eligible to apply)
• A US citizen or permanent resident

Predoctoral and postdoctoral Molecular Oncology applications are open through June 30, 2024 for applicants eligible to start the program on or after August 1, 2024.

Requirements

1. Online Application which includes:
   • CV or resume
   • One paragraph description of your interest in the Cancer Biology Pathway
   • One page description of dissertation goals (predocs) or current work in the lab (postdocs)
2. REDCap survey
3. Recommendation letter from the faculty sponsor/primary mentor
   • Letters may be emailed directly from mentors to: [email protected]
4. Additional recommendation letters
   • Letters may be emailed directly from referees to: [email protected]
   • Predocs: 2 other faculty members who served as laboratory rotation mentors
   • Postdocs: 1 letter from your PhD mentor and 1 letter from either another faculty member at Washington University or from the University where you earned your PhD

• Participate in clinical shadowing each fall during the program
• Complete and annually update an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with guidance from your mentor(s)
• Comply with the NIH Responsible Conduct of Research Policy (complete 8 hours of in person ethics training, if not already complete during your current career stage)
• Complete L41-5288 Special Topics in Molecular Genetics and L41-5196 Special Emphasis Pathway in Cancer Biology. These courses are offered in alternate spring semesters (details below on this page).
• Participate in one of the following journal clubs each fall during the program:
  • Cancer Biology
  • Hematology & Oncology
  • Student-Run Cell Biology
  • Cytoskeleton Discussion Group
  • Cell Biology of Extracellular Matrix
  • Molecular Mechanism of Aging
  • RNA Biology
  • Chromatin, Epigenetics, Nuclear Organization
  • Structural Biology
  • Human Genetics
  • Cancer Informatics
  • Other journal clubs with the approval of Dr. Lee Ratner

MDS Postdoctoral trainees:

• May be on a temporary US visa
• Should propose an MDS-related research project
• Must hold a PhD, MD, or MD/PhD degree
• Are not required to have a mentor who is a current Siteman Cancer Center member
• May be selected to participate in the program for one year or two years
• Are allowed to have supplemental funding while appointed to the program

MDS applications are open until May 31, 2024 for a start date of July 1, 2024.

Requirements

1. Online Application which includes:
   • CV or resume
   • One paragraph description of your interest in the MDS Program
   • One page description of your current work in the lab (format similar to a NIH Aims page)
2. REDCap survey
3. Recommendation letter from the faculty sponsor/primary mentor
   • Two page maximum
   • The recommendation letter from your post-doctoral mentor must acknowledge that the MDS award only partially funds the applicant’s stipend. The mentor letter should also include a description of how the mentor will facilitate the applicant’s Career Development Plan to establish an independent research program, including the frequency of meetings between the applicant and mentor during the award period.
   • Letters may be emailed directly from referees to: [email protected]
4. Additional recommendation letters
   • One letter from either another faculty member at Washington University or from the University where you earned your PhD.
   • Letters may be emailed directly from referees to: [email protected]

• Participate in clinical shadowing each fall during the program (unless the MDS postdoc has a MD degree).
• Complete and annually update an Individual Development Plan (IDP) with guidance from your mentor(s)
• Comply with the NIH Responsible Conduct of Research Policy (complete 8 hours of in person ethics training, if not already complete during your current career stage)
• Complete L41-5288 Special Topics in Molecular Genetics and L41-5196 Special Emphasis Pathway in Cancer Biology. These courses are offered in alternate spring semesters (and may have a hybrid option available).
• Participate in one of the following journal clubs each fall during the program:
  • Experimental Hematopoiesis (required for MDS trainees)
  • Cancer Biology
  • Hematology & Oncology
  • Student-Run Cell Biology
  • Cytoskeleton Discussion Group
  • Cell Biology of Extracellular Matrix
  • Molecular Mechanism of Aging
  • RNA Biology
  • Chromatin, Epigenetics, Nuclear Organization
  • Structural Biology
  • Human Genetics
  • Cancer Informatics
  • Other journal clubs with the approval of Dr. Lee Ratner