The Cancer Biology Program, part of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT-Houston) is dedicated to providing students and postdoctoral fellows with the highest quality of training in diverse areas of cancer biology research.

Given the unique environment of the Texas Medical Center, the philosophy of the Cancer Biology Program is to supplement traditional graduate school training with both depth and breadth of knowledge in cancer biology. Program faculty are composed of University of Texas faculty members from various member institutions. The faculty’s interests are wide-ranging and encompass basic mechanistic studies in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, cell biology, radiation physics, immunology and other cancer-related fields. Faculty also participate in translational research focused on problems of immediate clinical applicability.

Students will follow the standard format of maintaining a single mentor who will guide an independent research project. However, our students frequently use the resources and expertise of several laboratories in different departments during the development of their cancer-related dissertation projects. This training provides a rich experience that increases the expertise and competitiveness of our graduates. The program currently includes nearly 60 faculty from 17 departments representing various University of Texas components or affiliates. These include M. D. Anderson Cancer Center; the Medical School, Dental Branch and GSBS at UT-Houston; and the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) in Clear Lake. Many of the faculty are noted specialists in their areas of study and have trained students who have achieved success in academic and industrial settings. Program faculty have been honored with distinguished education awards, recognizing their achievements in all aspects of graduate and post-graduate training.

Currently, we have 31 graduate students listed in the program. Our students have been among the most outstanding and productive of the GSBS. They also have been the recipients of many GSBS awards, as well as nationally competitive fellowships. Like the faculty, the students bring wide-ranging perspectives and goals to their research. The program excels in accommodating these interests while fostering interactions among all of our students. For the last 10 years, the Cancer Biology Program has been recipient of a National Institutes of Health training grant that supports our most outstanding students.

The specific Ph.D. requirements for this program are listed below. Consult the UT-Houston GSBS catalog for general information on Ph.D. requirements.

• Required Basic Courses
• Electives
• Seminar Courses
• Research Requirements
• Candidacy Examination
• Teaching Experience
• Financial Support

• GS010014 Biomedical Statistics
• GS030014 Biochemistry
• GS000514 Tutorial Research Experience
• GS210051 The Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences
• GS040013 Cell Biology or GS060073
• Cytokines and the Immune Response (or others with permission)
• GS040063 Cancer Biology or GS040083
• Basic Concepts of Tumor Biology

• GS040023 Molecular Basis of Gene Action
• GS040134 Molecular Basis of Oncogenes
• GS040123 Eukaryotic Gene Expression
• GS040612 Selected Topics in Molecular Virology: Gene Therapy and Transgenics
• GS040212 Mechanisms in Cancer Therapeutics
• GS020042 Radiation Biology
• GS040173 Current Concepts of Human Cancers

(6 semesters required from the following) Other seminar courses may be substituted with permission of advisory committee.

• GS040173 Current Concepts of Human Cancers
• GS040181 The Molecular Basis of Programmed Cell Death
• GS040212 Mechanisms in Cancer Therapeutics
• GS040612 Selected Topics in Molecular Virology: Gene Therapy and Transgenics
• GS040711 Seminar in Virology and Gene Therapy
• GS040721 Seminar in Tumor Suppressor Genes
• GS040731 Seminar in Developmental Biology
• GS040741 Seminar in Applied Oncology Research
• GS040751 Seminar in Regulatory Biology
• GS040761 Current Topics in Oncogene Research
• GS040771 Current Topics in Tumor Progression
• GS040791 Current Topics in Programmed Cell Death
• GS040801 Current Topics in Genes and Development
• GS040812 Seminars in Molecular Mechanisms of Human Cancer
• GS040061 Seminar in Cancer Cell Signaling

Students typically complete three laboratory tutorial research experiences (GS000514) within their first year of study. The choice of tutorial laboratories is determined by each student. Following these, a student chooses a laboratory in which to undertake thesis research. During this time, an Advisory Committee composed of the student's advisor and four additional faculty members will assist the student in directing his or her research.

All GSBS students must petition to take the oral candidacy examination within three years of admission to the Ph.D. degree program. This examination is designed to ascertain both the student's preparation for investigation of a specific research problem, and the extent of knowledge in pertinent and related areas of biomedical science. It is administered by the student's Candidacy Examination Committee, and the results of this examination are communicated to both the Executive Committee of the Cancer Biology Program and the GSBS.

There is no formal teaching requirement for students in the Cancer Biology Program. Recently, the GSBS has initiated a Teaching Assistant Program where students are selected to assist in certain core courses. The teaching experience will vary from course to course, but it can include formal classroom teaching. Additional opportunities for teaching may be obtained through arrangement with individual course instructors.

Initial financial support for all entering students is provided by the GSBS. After choosing a laboratory, students are usually supported by an advisor's grant. Other sources of support include fellowships and predoctoral training grants. Students (past and present) in the Cancer Biology Program are supported by Hite, Smith and Welch fellowships; by two NIH training grants; and by two American Legion Auxiliary Predoctoral Fellowships. As of September 1, 2001, student salaries are $20,000. Teaching assistants have their tuition paid by the GSBS.

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