The Fellowship Experience - Pediatric Cancer Epidemiology

Trainees will be provided opportunities to study all aspects of pediatric cancer epidemiology.  The notable feature of this training grant is an exposure to a multi-disciplinary group of investigators who are highly interactive in their research endeavors.  This program allows pediatric cancer epidemiology trainees an opportunity to integrate and work within studies of pediatric cancer in:

1. the basic laboratory - including studies of genetic susceptibility, exposure and maternal-fetal interactions
2. the human experimental laboratory - including studies of human metabolism (including diet and chemical carcinogens)
3. the epidemiologic methodology setting - including survey techniques and identification of adjuncts to questionnaires through validation and comparison studies
4. etiologic studies including case-control and cohort studies
5. behavioral assessment and interventions - including smoking cessation

Predoctoral students will be formally admitted into the PhD program in Epidemiology.  The coursework options in the Division of Epidemiology within the School of Public Health include relevant biologic areas (e.g., Pathology, Cancer Biology, Medical Microbiology, Genetics, Nutrition) to provide a well-rounded approach to pediatric cancer epidemiology. 

Postdoctoral students will be required to take PubH 5387 (Cancer Epidemiology), PubH 5100 (Child Health and the Environment), and PubH 8392 (Readings in Pediatric Cancer Epidemiology).  Additional courses of interest can be chosen based on the trainee's interest.  It is expected that at least two postdoctoral trainees will choose to obtain either a Master's degree in Clinical Research or Public Health through the Division of Epidemiology.

Fellowship Length

For predoctoral fellows, the fellowship supports the Ph.D. degree.  A minimum of three years on fellowship is anticipated, with a five-year maximum.

For postdoctoral fellows, a two-year minimum commitment to traineeship is expected, with a three-year maximum.