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Molecular Genetics of Cancer Training Program

The Department of Genetics was awarded a T32 training grant in the Molecular Genetics of Cancer by the National Cancer Institute in 1979. The robust training program has been continuously funded for 33 years to provide training at the pre- and post-doctoral levels. At the predoctoral level, training involves pursuit of a doctorate and dissertation research. At the postdoctoral level, training involves research in a mentored environment. Additionally, our faculty has developed multiple opportunities for mentorship, professional development, and career preparation.  Students and trainees are included in many group meetings to discuss the program in order to enhance their experience and make recommendations for future improvements. Throughout the years, the training program has attracted an outstanding diverse group of students and trainees.

The mission of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is to eliminate cancer by developing and maintaining integrated quality programs in patient care, research, education, and prevention of cancer. Physicians and basic scientists work together to decipher the molecular changes that occur in specific cancers in order that we might be able to develop better target drugs. The availability of tumor samples (MD Anderson has 11 tumor banks) for which patient data are available provides unique opportunities to better define the nature of the genetic changes that occur in oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. Genetic models explore the mechanisms by which these genes initiate or alter a tumor phenotype in the whole organism. These unique resources and a climate in which scientists and physicians can work together to battle this devastating disease is just a few of the factors that make MD Anderson an exciting and invigorating laboratory environment for training.

Our training program faculty and the interactive laboratory environment will stimulate our trainees to achieve a long lasting commitment to studies of the molecular and cellular basis of cancer. The primary objective of this exceptional training program is to provide selected trainees with a broad and in-depth experience in understanding the mechanisms by which a normal cell becomes transformed.

Areas of research include:

  • Genome wide approaches to identify the cancer genome
  • Mechanistic studies to understand the contributions to the initiation and progression of cancer
  • Identifying genetic and environmental modifiers of the cancer phenotype
  • Development
  • Stem cell biology
  • DNA damage response and repair
  • Gene silencing via chromatin modifications
  • Control of apoptosis

The training program has positions for four predoctoral students and five postdoctoral fellows of varied backgrounds that reflect the ethnic and cultural diversity of our society. Positions on the training grant are available periodically and appointment times vary throughout the year. Securing positions on the training grant is highly competitive. The Training Program in Molecular Genetics of Cancer at MD Anderson offers a training opportunity that is unmatched due to the distinguished faculty and endless resources.

Highlights

  • Ryan McCarthy

    Ryan L. McCarthy, Ph.D. 

    MD Anderson's reputation as a leader in both basic and translational cancer research and the fascinating work being conducted in Dr. Barton's lab to understand stem cell pluripotency and differentiation drew me to Houston. The impressive facilities and resources at MD Anderson have granted me opportunities to train with and utilize cutting-edge equipment that empowers my research and aids me to advance my career. Being located in the Texas Medical Center provides many chances for exciting collaborations with experts in related fields. My training under the mentorship of Dr. Barton has provided a wonderful environment allowing me exciting ways to develop my research and scientific independence.

  • Justin Wong, B.S.

    I selected The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Dr. Krahe's lab because I was interested in understanding tumorigenesis in the context of cancer, particularly from a more computational perspective.  I also wanted, and found, a lab that would allow me to do bench work to validate the computational findings, and more importantly, a mentor that believed that science is done in teams, via multi-disciplinary approaches.  The best part of my training has been the opportunity to interact with my fellow scientists, and to dive headfirst into bioinformatics, a field I had very little prior exposure to.

  • Rachel Mullen, Ph.D.

    Rachel Mullen, Ph.D.

    Dr. Behringer’s research and his reputation as a good mentor attracted me to MD Anderson. I was also impressed with the facilities, the access to equipment and the high quality researchers within the Texas Medical Center. A significant part of my training has been gaining additional technical expertise and knowledge in mouse genetics. This is a great place to interact with other scientists, and I enjoy the collaborative and helpful atmosphere.

  • Christen Ungewiss, B.S.

    I selected MD Anderson because I wanted to do cancer research, and there is no better place in the world to do that than here. I chose Dr. Gibbons' lab because I was fascinated by his research. I knew him and his personality of working with people, and the high caliber training I would receive from him. The most important part of my training has been to work together with many different kinds of people and most of all to have a new challenge every day, meaning you don't always get the expected results and things might suddenly change. It is a great training environment.

  • Aimee Anderson, Ph.D.

    In addition to its stellar reputation and the cutting-edge science performed here, MD Anderson also supports postdocs in career development and work-life balance. My PI, Dr. Michael Galko, has developed a great model system for dissecting the genetic mechanisms of wound closure that are tightly tied to key aspects of cancer biology, including cell migration and metastasis. My training here has allowed me to take scientific risks that have helped me to develop my project, to grow intellectually and professionally, and to take my research toward a new and more independent level.

  • Connie Larsson, B.S.

    My interest in cancer research is what attracted me to MD Anderson Cancer Center. I chose Dr. Lozano's lab because of her reputation as a leading researcher in mouse genetics and tumor suppressors. It was very important to me that I join a lab where other lab members would provide guidance and help to graduate students. The most significant part of my training is the overall experience as a graduate student and the availability of resources and interaction with other fellow scientists. This has been an outstanding place to earn my Ph.D.

  • Patty DiMarco

    Patty DiMarco, B.S.

    I chose MD Anderson for my graduate studies because this institution excels in cancer-related research and other diseases, and it also provides an opportunity to study basic biology. I am currently studying under the mentorship of Dr. Andrew Gladden. Our common interest in cell adhesion and cell polarity is what attracted me to his lab and this training experience has challenged me to think critically about important biological questions. My most significant work has been the ability to work with various model organisms and to see how each can be used to address various biological problems and hypotheses. This diverse knowledge base is providing a platform for my future career options and interests in a way that I could never have imagined.

Predoctoral Student Eligibility

Candidates for predoctoral training are recruited exclusively from students enrolled in The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, (GSBS) Houston, Texas.  For admission to the Training Program, the predoctoral candidate must have been admitted to the Ph.D. degree program at the GSBS, fulfilled the three tutorial research requirements, and selected an area of research and the laboratory in which the research will be conducted.  The Training Program faculty member whom the candidate has chosen as his or her mentor may recommend that candidate for Training Program support. This recommendation, along with two other letters of recommendation, the candidate’s curriculum vitae, GSBS transcript, and research proposal are reviewed by the Training Grant Committee. Applicants must be United States citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or have been admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment.  Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution and a background in the basic sciences. Undergraduate preparation that includes rigorous upper-level science courses is preferred. Funding is for a maximum of three years, which includes tuition, stipend, supplies, travel funds, and individual health insurance.

Application Submission Requirements

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Research proposal (three pages)
3. Three letters of recommendation (One of the three must be from your sponsor)
4. GSBS transcript

Postdoctoral Fellow Eligibility

Candidates for postdoctoral training are recruited exclusively from postdoctoral trainees appointed in a MD Anderson Cancer Center Research Department. Applicants must be United States citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States or have been admitted for permanent residence at the time of appointment.  Applicants must have a doctorate from an accredited institution and a background in the basic sciences and/or or other areas appropriate for conducting research in a genetics laboratory. Graduate preparation that includes peer-reviewed publications is preferred. Funding is for two years, with an option to reapply for a third year and includes a salary, supplies, travel funds, and individual health insurance.

Application Submission Requirements

1. Curriculum vitae
2. Research proposal (three pages)
3. Three letters of recommendation (One of the three must be from your sponsor)

 

2012-2013 Trainee Roster

Training Program Faculty Members

Director: Guillermina Lozano, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Department of Genetics

Co-Director: Richard R. Behringer, Ph.D. 
Professor, Department of Genetics

Training Program Steering Committee

  • Dr. Swathi Arur
  • Dr. Richard Behringer
  • Dr. Vicki Huff
  • Dr. Guillermina Lozano
  • Dr. William Mattox
  • Dr. Ralf Krahe

Submit applications to:

Dr. Guillermina Lozano
c/o Lisa Gower
Department of Genetics
1515 Holcombe Blvd. - Unit 1010
Houston, Texas 77030

For more information or to electronically submit, please contact Lisa Gower at lmgower@mdanderson.org.

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© 2013 The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center