Goals and Objectives
The Duke Research Training Program in Surgical Oncology will develop surgeons and perioperative physicians into physician-scientists, which is critical to the multidisciplinary approach needed to investigate novel approaches to cancer. The program will be led by a leadership team of academic surgeon-scientists with expertise in surgical oncology, pathology, immunology, and health outcomes research. Supplemented by mentors with expertise in basic, translational, and clinical research, this multidisciplinary team spans the breadth of surgical oncology research to address research questions in three distinct tracks:
- Cancer Biomarkers and Biology of Local Disease
- Cancer Immunotherapy
- Clinical Investigation and Health Services Research
Trainees will select a primary mentor from a highly experienced and diverse group of 35 researchers. Guided by their mentors, the trainees will each develop and execute a research project, which will be the basis of a future career development or independent research award application. Trainees will become skilled in research methods and will be prepared to pursue independent academic careers that will improve the health of patients with cancer or premalignant conditions.