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.
Training Grant Faculty
Mentors
- David H. Harpole, MD (Track Leader)
- Benjamin A. Alman, MD
- Wei Chen, PhD
- Christopher Counter, PhD
- Gayathri Devi, PhD
- David Kirsch, MD, PhD
- Corinne Linardic, MD, PhD
- Donald McDonnell, PhD
- Susan Murphy, PhD
- Ann Marie Pendergast, PhD
- Nirmala Ramanujam, PhD
- Hai Yan, MD, PhD
Mentors
- H. Kim Lyerly, MD (Track Leader)
- Gerard Blobe, MD, PhD
- Marc Caron, PhD
- Nelson Chao, MD
- Matthias Gromeier, MD
- Zachary Hartman, PhD
- Michael Morse, MD
- Smita Nair, PhD
- John Sampson, MD, PhD
- Xiao-Fan Wang, PhD
- Yiping Yang, MD, PhD
Mentors
- Peter Allen, MD (Track Co-Leader)
- Shelley Hwang, MD, MPH (Track Co-Leader)
- Andrew Berchuck, MD
- Kimberly Lynn Blackwell, MD
- Peter E. Fecci, MD, PhD
- Brant Inman, MD
- Susan Halabi, PhD
- Marilyn Hockenberry, PhD, RN
- Terry Hyslop, PhD
- Evan Myers, MD, MPH
- Laura Porter, PhD
- David Witsell, MD
Applicant Eligibility
Candidates must have an MD or equivalent degree and have completed or be in good standing in a clinical training program that will provide eligibility for certification in Surgery or a surgical subspecialty with research focused in oncology.
Number of Candidates
The Duke Surgical Oncology T32 can support up to six residents or postdocs during a research fellowship. Potential applicants will be US citizens or permanent residents, who are trainees in good standing at ACGME- and ABS-approved surgery training programs in the US and Canada. The application and selection process typically occurs during the PGY-2 year for at least 1-year of the training period during PGY-3 and PGY-4.
Stipend Support
Trainee stipends are fixed by the National Institutes of Health and vary depending on the number of years of experience following doctoral degree. Trainees are also eligible for health insurance, tuition support, and some travel money when appropriate for advancing the training experience.
Program Requirements
- Prepare and submit an NRSA F32 application or use the application instructions below
- Master's degree in an area that is relevant to research interest or approved alternative educational plan
- Trainees in this program will participate in a specific Surgical Oncology seminar series and will take advantage of a variety of seminars and conferences at Duke, including:
- Trainees are required to take a scientific writing course, typically provided by George Gopen, JD, PhD, an experienced writing instructor to develop skills in writing, including preparation of manuscripts and grant applications.
- Trainees are required to take a course in Responsible Conduct of Research provided by the Duke University Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities, and the History of Medicine.
- Trainees should attend the Duke Clinical Research Institute Fellows Seminar or the T32 Fellows Lecture Series.
- Candidates must be US citizens or permanent residents
How to Apply
- Much of our application uses a well-known standard format, specifically the NIH F32 application. Therefore, we will accept a completed F32 application or you can follow the application instructions found on our website below.
- Submit your completed application via email to SurgeryT32@duke.edu.
- If you have any questions, please contact Jennie Phillips, T32 Administrator, at SurgeryT32@duke.edu.