Student Perspectives

Jeffrey Boden PhD Student:
College of the Holy Cross
B.A., Biology

Research Advisor:
Keith Webster, Ph.D
Physician Mentor:
Leonidas Koniaris, M.D

"I like the Cancer Biology Program because it teaches the students to be problem oriented. I believe that this is an important perspective to take when trying to understand a disease as complicated as cancer. Our classes are discussion-based and this provides a great forum for debating the recent literature. Guest lectures are the norm in most classes and this gives the students direct interaciton with the experts in various fields of research and medical disciplines. Each student is exposed to virtually every aspect of cancer research ranging from protein structures and interactions to epidemiological analysis."

Matthew Brentnall PhD Student
Florida Atlantic University
B.A., Biology

Research Advisor:
Lawrence Boise, Ph.D
Physician Mentor:
Merce Jorda, MD, Ph.D

"The Cancer Biology Program takes an interdisciplinary approach to learning and conducting research.  It allows students to gain a broad understanding of cancer research, through classes and guest lecturers, while they focus on a particular area for their dissertation.  Also, the two-tier mentoring gives the students a chance to understand the bench side and the translational side of cancer research and treatment.  This design creates an intellectual atmosphere with endless possibilities for research projects and collaborations throughout the university and the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.  Overall, the Cancer Biology Program is preparing students for the future of research by giving us the knowledge and support to become successful scientists."

Brian Deegan MD/PhD Student
Luther College
B.A., Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Advisor:
Amjad Farooq, Ph.D
Physician Mentor:
Alan Pollack, M.D, Ph.D.

"The Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology offers a progressive approach to scientific training. Being a multidisciplinary program, it is free from many of the restraints a discipline and department-specific environment places on the student. The Cancer Biology Program fosters intellectual creativity by exposing students to pressing issues the variety of fields of study face in tackling malignant disease. This approach breeds students who are aware of the greater context in which his/her research falls, preventing further propagation of traditional discipline-centric training regimens. I feel the above, in combination with the clinical exposure the program offers, will produce scientists who are better equipped to deal with the future problems of cancer in the rapidly changing scientific environment."

Patrice Harris Ph.D Student:
University of Maryland – Eastern Shores
B.S., Biology

Research Advisor:
Joseph Rosenblatt, M.D
Physician Mentor:
Stefan Gluck. M.D., Ph.D

"I like the Cancer Biology Program because it is unique among other graduate programs. One particular aspect is the two-tier mentoring from both a research scientist and a physician. The courses are designed to stimulate basic as well as translational research critical thinking. Research seminars by prominent individuals in cancer research, have provided us with exposure to the various aspects of bench to bedside research and medicine. The faculty are excellent and student oriented."

Jinhee Hyun Ph.D. Student
Seoul Women’s University, Korea, B.S, Applied Microbial Technology
Korea University
M.S., Biochemistry

Research Advisor:
Glen Barber, Ph.D
Physician Mentor:
William Harrington, M.D

"I chose the cancer biology program because of my personal interest in cancer and the way the program addresses future prospects of treatment and research.

Our program is really geared towards translational research and interdisciplinary study of cancer. Most of the classes place an emphasis on scientific logic related to cancer and discussion. Additionally, we have a chance to meet physicians in the class and learn about the clinical aspects of cancer, the limitations of current treatments, and the state of clinical trials now and in the future. The two tier mentoring is great and very helpful because you can understand systemic view of cancer. Besides our classes, the program give us a broad knowledge base and understanding by providing distinguished guest lectures, as well as time to discuss with them about both science and life."

Robert Newman PhD Student
University of Florida
B.S., Biochemistry

Research Advisor:
Robert Levy, Ph.D.
Physician Mentor:
Pending

"The Sheila and David Fuente Graduate Program in Cancer Biology trains emerging scientists to investigate complex research questions in the context of cancer. Its two-tier mentoring paired with basic science, translational, and clinically oriented coursework provides students with the tools necessary to examine issues that will further our understanding of cancer and inevitably help oncologists in the clinic. This framework gives researchers the freedom to focus on an area of particular interest and become an expert through our graduate training."

Ali Saeed MD/PhD Student
University of Miami
B.S., Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Research Advisor:
David Helfman, Ph.D
Physician Mentor:
Aaron Wolfson, M.D

"The Cancer Biology program is a unique program that allows for immersion in the study of cancer. As opposed to traditional department specific approaches which restrict the understanding of cancer through the lens of biochemistry, microbiology, or immunology, the Cancer Biology allows the study of cancer with the full spectrum of all disciplines. Most importantly, the Cancer Biology program provides valuable clinical insight into the study of cancer through clinical oncology courses and mentoring with a clinical oncologist. Only by understanding cancer from this multidisciplinary approach can the complex phenomenon of cancer be properly understood and eventually overcome."

Taylor Schreiber MD/PhD Student
Bucknell University
B.S., Biology

Research Advisor:
Eckhard  Podack, M.D., Ph.D
Physician Mentor:
Joseph Rosenblatt, M.D

"Before joining the Sheila and David Fuentes Cancer Biology Program here at the University of Miami I was apprehensive about being a 'guinea pig' in the first class of a new program. The accessibility of the program faculty allowed me the time to voice these concerns during candid conversations that reassured me that this program would become one of the strongest in the University. Having now completed the first year in the curriculum I can say with confidence that those reassurances were accurate.

The Cancer Biology Program is a truly interdisciplinary program free of departmental boundaries and traditions that is at its core a graduate program for the translational scientist. Faculty in the program span all departments at the University and include the largest number of practicing physicians of any department. This diversity enables us, as students, to gain skills that allow us to analyze basic scientific questions with the patient in mind, and visa-versa. Furthermore, our clinical exposure is fortified by the Sylvester Cancer Center and the way it has truly embraced the Cancer Biology Program in its clinical and scientific endeavors. With the first year behind us, I am truly excited about the rest of my graduate education and am grateful for the opportunity to learn in such an outstanding program."

Dawn Seales PhD Student
University of West Indies- Trinidad and Tobago
B.S., Biochemistry and Chemistry

Research Advisor:
Eli Gilboa, Ph.D.
Physician Mentor:
Mark Pegram, M.D.

"The Cancer Biology Program creates an environment where the theory learned in the classroom is applied to both basic and translational science by the integration of classroom learning, distinguished seminars, paper critiques and Medical Board attendance. The course structure in this program is geared towards critical analysis of multiple disciplines, which helps students come up with unconventional, 'outside the box', approaches to problem-solving. With the current drive to recruit the very best researchers, the Miller School of Medicine's Cancer Biology Program is indeed a very competitive one. The professors are very approachable and student feedback is heavily weighted, faciltating the continuous assessment and improvement of the program. In the end, researchers trained by this program will be very well-rounded, critical analyzers, capable of translating new knowledge found in this ever evolving field into effective therapies. I am very proud to be one of its pioneers."

Rui Zhan Ph.D. Student:
Wuhan University
B.S., Biological Sciences
Southern Illinois University
M.S., Biochemistry

Research Advisor:
Glen Barber, Ph.D
Physician Mentor:
Joyce Slingerland, M.D., Ph.D

"The Cancer Biology Program at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine is very unique because it has exposed me to the field of cancer research both scientifically and clinically. It has also provided me with a chance to choose from the various labs almost covering every aspect of cancer research. The collaboration between faculty and students makes learning an easy and enjoyable experience. After one year of study, I am very satisfied that I picked this program and looking forward for the years to come."