The Doctorate in Cancer Cell Biology degree program provides students with comprehensive in-depth training in modern areas of cancer biology, with a strong emphasis on cellular and molecular aspects of cancer origin, progression and treatment and a focus on cancer types and issues relevant to international, national and West Virginia populations. The program is designed to produce scholarly researchers with aptitude in public speaking, community service, clinical engagement, and critical thinking. Completion of the degree is realized when the student successfully presents the research results to faculty of the graduate dissertation committee and program. Typically, four to five years are required to realize this goal.
The doctor of philosophy program in cancer cell biology is designed to expose Doctorate level graduate students to a wide spectrum of opportunities available in basic and translational cancer research. In addition to mechanistic and therapeutic approaches to studying problems in cancer 576 Medicine at the bench, students have the opportunity for exposure to more clinical elements of cancer practice, including participation in tumor boards, shadowing clinicians, and participation in the design and approval of clinical trials. The cancer cell biology program at West Virginia University is a member of the Cancer Biology Training Consortium (CABTRAC), a national organization of similar cancer-specific Doctorate programs that interact through annual regional and national meetings to improve and refine Doctorate cancer training. Graduates of the cancer cell biology program are therefore well-equipped to enter into a number of different career paths. These include postdoctoral research, biotechnology, industry, government, science writing, core facilities management, and legal counsel as examples.
