Cancer Biology Multidisciplinary Training Area

In addition to the CAB curriculum, CAB students must complete at least two rotations before choosing a preceptor from the CAB faculty. Students are required to choose a preceptor by the beginning of the second year. Students then need to pass a Qualifying Exam in the first semester following commitment to a preceptor, and a Thesis Proposal Exam as described in the Student Handbook.

Approaching the completion of the project, the student, preceptor, and their advisory committee will meet and decide whether suitable work has been completed to proceed with the preparation of a dissertation and a thesis defense. If approval is granted, the preceptor will guide the student regarding the dissertation preparation and the presentation of his or her work in an open seminar-format thesis defense.

CAB students are expected to participate in the Cancer Biology Seminar series. This series brings leading cancer researchers to MSSM to present their latest research, and students both attend the seminar and then meet as a group with the speaker.

Finally, our work in progress series (Cancer Club) is a forum for students to present their ongoing work to other CAB students and postdoctoral fellows.