The Yale Cancer Biology Training Program (CBTP) for Predoctoral and Postdoctoral Trainees

The Yale Cancer Biology Training Program provides a unique cancer-focused training experience intended to develop the next generation of cancer scientific leaders. Training covers the genetic and biological underpinnings of cancer, the pathway to development of new therapies based upon this knowledge, and the practical challenges in applying these new therapies in cancer clinics.

The goals of the program are as follows:

• To provide comprehensive training in cancer biology, genetics, immunobiology, and applied pharmacology
• To educate predoctoral and postdoctoral PhD trainees on practical clinical issues in oncology, and
• To prepare trainees to lead translational research on teams including basic scientists and clinicians.

• Two-year program beginning Year 2 for graduate students and early in training for post-docs
• Format is similar to Medical Research Scholars Program: for graduate students, Yale BBS training plus add-ons and certification
• Each trainee will have a clinical co-mentor to foster exposure to clinical concepts and decision-making through tumor boards and clinics
• Certification as CBTP trainee upon successful completion of program

1. Biology of Cancer: Path 650b
   A general survey class covering basic principles of cancer biology and genetics (Spring term)
2. Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology: Path 681a - Fridays 2-4 p.m., BML137
   Selected topics will be analyzed and discussed in depth (Fall term).
3. Cancer Clinical Translation: Path 682b - next scheduled Spring 2022
   This course builds upon basic cancer biology knowledge to see the impact of scientific knowledge on real-world clinical oncology issues through didactic sessions, working tumor board attendance, and workshop discussions. The first half of the course emphasizes practical issues in moving research ideas into the clinic, design and execution of standard and novel forms of clinical trials, and statistical analysis of clinical trial data. The second half covers the perspectives of clinicians on the most important outstanding biological questions that should be addressed by cancer investigators. (Spring term - alternate years.)
4. Attendance at Yale Cancer Center Grand Rounds - Tuesdays 12 p.m., Park St. Auditorium (two per month during Fall and Spring Semesters)
5. YCC program meetings (four in each of Fall and Spring semesters)
6. Precision Medicine Tumor Board (four times per each of two years enrolled)
7. Training in Responsible Conduct of Research (all trainees)

Spring of the first year of graduate school for pre-docs, or year-round for post-docs.

Program Director
David F. Stern, PhD
df.stern@yale.edu

Program Administrator
Marrisa Delise
marrisa.delise@yale.edu

The Yale Cancer Biology Training Program is supported by the U.S. National Cancer Institute (T32 CA193200-01A1), Yale School of Medicine, and Yale Cancer Center.