2007 Press Releases
UCC to host PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology
29.11.2007
Cancer is a major health issue world-wide and cancer research is a high priority in modern science. UCC has a large interdisciplinary research cluster in cancer that includes investigators from the College of Science Engineering and Food Science and the College of Medicine and Health.
29.11.2007
Cancer is a major health issue world-wide and cancer research is a high priority in modern science. UCC has a large interdisciplinary research cluster in cancer that includes investigators from the College of Science Engineering and Food Science and the College of Medicine and Health.
A four year PhD Scholars Programme in Cancer Biology that will start in UCC in 2008 is now being advertised internationally. Funding of €4.24 million for this prestigious programme was awarded by the Health Research Board to a team of 22 investigators drawn from across the University and associated hospitals and led by Professor Rosemary O'Connor. This is the first integrated PhD Programme in Cancer Biology on the island of Ireland. It will host 18 Scholars over seven years in UCC, and it will be linked with planned nationally collaborative initiatives in cancer research and PhD training.
PhD training in cancer research is a high priority world-wide as cancer incidence increases steadily, and as this disease is poised to become the number one killer in the western world. Scholars in this programme will receive high quality scientific training in the broad area of cancer biology and will also learn about the clinical aspects of the disease. The research projects will address fundamental events associated with the genesis and progression of most kinds of cancer that come under the broad heading of "Signalling Systems and Gene Regulation in Cancer". The first year of the programme will consist of courses and laboratory rotations, and in the second year the students will select a project and mentor with whom they will carry out research towards award of the PhD. The overall objective is that Scholars who graduate from the programme will be equipped to carry out research in cancer biology or related disciplines at the highest international level. These graduates will become the professionals needed to manage this disease into the future.
Rosemary O'Connor, the Director of the Programme, is an internationally recognized cancer biologist and the Professor of Cell Biology at UCC. The steering committee comprises: John Atkins, SFI Research Professor, Noel Caplice, Professor of Cardiovascular Biology; Tom Cotter, Professor of Biochemistry; Professor Tommie McCarthy, Head of Department of Biochemistry, Professor Gerald O'Sullivan, Director of the Cork Cancer Research Centre; and H. Paul Redmond, Professor of Surgery. All have extensive international reputations in research and PhD training. A dedicated coordinator of training will integrate the activities of the students through the various elements of the programme.
577RMcD
PhD training in cancer research is a high priority world-wide as cancer incidence increases steadily, and as this disease is poised to become the number one killer in the western world. Scholars in this programme will receive high quality scientific training in the broad area of cancer biology and will also learn about the clinical aspects of the disease. The research projects will address fundamental events associated with the genesis and progression of most kinds of cancer that come under the broad heading of "Signalling Systems and Gene Regulation in Cancer". The first year of the programme will consist of courses and laboratory rotations, and in the second year the students will select a project and mentor with whom they will carry out research towards award of the PhD. The overall objective is that Scholars who graduate from the programme will be equipped to carry out research in cancer biology or related disciplines at the highest international level. These graduates will become the professionals needed to manage this disease into the future.
Rosemary O'Connor, the Director of the Programme, is an internationally recognized cancer biologist and the Professor of Cell Biology at UCC. The steering committee comprises: John Atkins, SFI Research Professor, Noel Caplice, Professor of Cardiovascular Biology; Tom Cotter, Professor of Biochemistry; Professor Tommie McCarthy, Head of Department of Biochemistry, Professor Gerald O'Sullivan, Director of the Cork Cancer Research Centre; and H. Paul Redmond, Professor of Surgery. All have extensive international reputations in research and PhD training. A dedicated coordinator of training will integrate the activities of the students through the various elements of the programme.
577RMcD