Patient-Based Biological Research

The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) at Houston

There has been a recent explosion of knowledge in the basic biomedical sciences and the underlying pathophysiology of many diseases. Insuring that this knowledge will be translated into improvements in human health in a timely and effective manner now requires interdisciplinary teams of laboratory scientists, physicians, statisticians and others with an in-depth understanding of fundamental biological mechanisms as well as the training to rigorously apply this knowledge to research performed in a clinical context. To this end, GSBS faculty members have developed new training opportunities in patient-based biological research. The program is designed for individuals with a broad range of interests, including basic laboratory scientists preparing for careers in translational research and physicians who wish to rigorously apply state-of-the-art scientific knowledge and research approaches to patient-based investigation.

Description

The objective of the degree program is to provide a unique and exemplary training curriculum designed for those individuals who wish to become scholars in research pertaining directly to the human model. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and leads to the MS and/or PhD in biomedical sciences. Trainees have the flexibility to design a course of study and to select a research project that best meets their individual career goals. Students will be expected to rigorously demonstrate mastery of basic biomedical sciences, based primarily upon a research project using data obtained in a patient-based setting, including patient-derived material, analysis of outcomes, analysis of therapeutic effects and mechanisms or other human data. As such, trainees will receive comprehensive instruction in all aspects of patient-oriented research, including design of clinical investigational studies, optimization of translational endpoints, biostatistics, epidemiology and ethical and regulatory issues specific to research done in human beings in addition to rigorous training in the biomedical sciences expected of all GSBS graduates.

Requirements & Procedures

Apply to GSBS for admission to the M.S. or Ph.D. programs.

Students with questions about admissions requirements or procedures should contact the Office of Admissions. Students who have already matriculated should contact Dr. Razelle Kurzrock, Dr. Emil Freireich, Dr. Jonathan Trent or Dr. Jon Weiner.

Requirements for an M.S. degree:

Minimum of 30 credit hours of coursework
Successful completion of the Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences course
One semester of Thesis for Master of Science
Any additional advanced coursework required by the student's advisory or supervisory committees

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree:

Minimum of 54 credit hours
Successful completion of the Ethical Dimensions of Biomedical Science course
Any required tutorial rotations or general area requirements
Advanced coursework required by the advisory or supervisory committees

Students may petition for waiver of M.S. and Ph.D. requirements based upon prior coursework in medical, graduate or other professional schools and/or research experience.

Specialized Training in Patient-Based Biological Research

The following courses are available to provide the specialized training necessary to conduct patient-based research of the highest quality in an ethical manner. Students interested in a career in patient-based research are strongly encouraged to take all of the available courses.

Course	Name	Hours	Director
GS21 0132	Human Protocol Research	2 hrs.	Jonathan Trent, MD, PhD
GS21 0232	Translational Research	2 hrs.	Jonathan Trent, MD, PhD
GS21 0011	Seminars in Clinical Cancer Research	1 hr.	Razelle Kurzrock, MD
GS21 0031	Seminars in Clinical Cancer Treatment	1 hr.	Razelle Kurzrock, MD
GS01 0014	Biomedical Statistics	4 hrs.	Alan White, MD
N/A	Grant & Manuscript Writing	N/A	Walter Pagel

With the permission of the dean, interested individuals may audit any GSBS course(s) or enroll for full academic credit as a non-degree student. In the latter case, students who subsequently enroll in a GSBS degree program may transfer academic credits toward degree requirements with the approval of the respective course directors.

Tutorials may also be in a patient-based setting and involve clinical material, clinical outcomes or translational studies.

For further information, contact:

Razelle Kurzrock, MD
Professor of Medicine
Director, MS/PhD Program, Human Biology and Patient-Based Research
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Director, Phase I Program
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
(713) 794-1226
rkurzroc@mdanderson.org

Dixie Paulson, Program Coordinator
Department of Investigational Cancer Therapeutics
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
FC8.3053
(713) 792-0405
dlpaulson@mdanderson.org