Seminars, Courses & Resources

Within the career development plan of the research and career proposal, CPRTP postdoctoral fellows outlined a tailored curriculum to assist with developing cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills during the course of the fellowship. Typically, the development plan will include semester-long courses, short courses or workshops.  In addition, all postdocs are required to take two courses, one required course per year, during the Spring academic semester.  Each trainee must enroll in one course during the spring semesters in which they are appointed as CPRTP fellows.  Thus, fellows who spend two years in the program will take one semester of Topics and one semester or Bio-Behavioral. These courses are offered through the University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) and are cross-listed at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health.  Summer Research Experience students are not required to enroll in these courses.

1. Bio-Behavioral Research Methods of Cancer Prevention and Addiction (Offered every even-numbered year of the Spring semester)

2. Topics in Cancer Prevention (Offered every odd-numbered year of the Spring semester)

• Thursdays, 12-2 p.m.
• Location: See syllabus
• Credit Hours: 2.0
• Grading System: Pass/Fail
• E-mail CPRTP for approval, form signature not required
• Course fees for CPRTP trainees (only) will be covered by the CPRTP
• Prerequisite:  None
• Coordinators:  Drs. Shine Chang, Carrie Cameron and Melinda Yates

These additional recommended courses are available to assist CPRTP postdoctoral fellows in writing their educational curriculum.  

To highlight the work of leaders in cancer prevention and control, the Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds (CPCGR) seminar series was formed in 2005. The purpose of the Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds is to inform the scientific and clinical faculty, trainees and staff at MD Anderson of emerging areas of research, new methods used in the field, and recent findings that inform the work conducted here. Presentations take place at various locations throughout MD Anderson on Fridays, from 12 to 1 p.m.  Attendance is open to everyone at MD Anderson, as well as outside guests.

Attendees should either log on 5 minutes prior (if virtual) or arrive at the desk by 11:45 a.m. (if in-person) to have their id badge scanned to receive CME credit. For all CPRTP trainees, attendance for this event is mandatory per the fellowship requirements.

Immediately following Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds (CPCGR), the CPRTP hosts a Meet-the-Speaker Trainee Brown Bag lunch with the invited speaker. This event takes place from 1:05 to 2:00 p.m. (unless otherwise noted) and is open to all MD Anderson trainees including high school interns, undergraduate, graduate, research interns, health profession students, predoctoral (graduate) and postdoctoral fellows. During this brown bag lunch, trainees will have the opportunity to interact with eminent cancer prevention and control researchers from around the world, in an intimate and informal environment.

Per the fellowship requirements, each CPRTP postdoctoral fellow will be assigned to host a brown bag. As a host, the trainee will facilitate the brown bag lunch by escorting the speaker to the lunch, introducing the speaker, managing the questions and answers, keeping track of time, closing out the brown bag lunch by 2pm, and turning in the attendance form to the CPRTP. 

All Division of Cancer Prevention trainees will automatically receive invitations to each brown bag lunch via email, however any MD Anderson trainee may be added to the CPCGR Speaker-Trainee Brown Bag listserv by sending an email to the organizer. The trainee lunch date, time and location will be included within the email invitation.  

All trainees are encouraged to bring their lunch.

During the CPRTP postdoctoral fellowship, trainees will acquire a repertoire of six (6) speaking skills appropriate to the various professional occasions they will encounter. These presentations will be given at CPRTP Summer Research Experience events and Department Faculty Meetings. DCPPS trainees will receive e-mailed announcements of upcoming presentations. 

1. Scientific 90-second Elevator Speech (required for both CPRTP summer students and postdocs) 
2. 10-minute Research Presentation and Practice Job talk (for a diverse audience)
3. 10-minute TED style talk (suitable for educated public)
4. "Speaking up" (Asking questions and explaining scientific reasoning, in a professional environment)
5. Introduction (Introducing an invited speaker by providing a brief bio)
6. 1-hour formal job talk

The benefits of giving different types of presentations:

• Trainees will obtain exposure to one another, to colleagues outside their departments, and to research from various disciplines in cancer prevention.  
• Trainee have the opportunity to include an invited talk on CV
• Trainees acquire job talk experience including feedback
• Robust attendance at events is stimulated

CPRTP summer students will present a 90-second elevator speech about their research, as well as formally present a poster during the annual Summer Trainee Exposition held during the final week of the MD Anderson Summer Experience in August.  This event is open to the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences faculty and staff and is divided into two parts: 1) Elevator Speeches and 2) Poster Session & Reception.       

An elevator speech is 90-second summary which quickly describes the trainee, their project and research experience. The idea is to summarize the research experience during the course of an elevator ride. Having a prepared elevator speech will help the trainee present themselves credibly and effectively in many situations.

The poster presentation and reception occurs immediately following the elevator speeches and allows students to present a scientific poster about their summer research project in cancer prevention.  The trainees' mentors, research team, family and friends are encouraged to attend. Complimentary snacks and beverages are provided during the reception.  

CPRTP postdoctoral fellows must complete nine (9) credit hours of Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) during their fellowship.
An RCR update must be included in each progress meeting with the training program directors and added to the Individual Development Plan (IDP).

Trainees must email the certificate of completion to the CPRTP program coordinator. To access the MD Anderson RCR seminar series schedule, visit the Postdoctoral Training Events page, Monthly Events > Responsible Conduct of Research.