UC must be doing something right.
A competitive training program for researchers at University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine has been awarded its 21st consecutive grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
The $2.5 million grant will support eight doctoral candidates and four postdoctoral trainees in the Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis Training Program over the next five years. The students are chosen based on their grades and research interest. This program is in line with one of UC’s 11 proposed statewide centers of excellence, environment and cancer.
“I’ve had the opportunity to go to several professional conferences as part of the UC training program. They were great opportunities to present my research data, share ideas and meet people in my field of research,” says Elisia Tichy, a doctoral candidate in the cancer and cell biology department who currently receives support from the Environmental Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis Training Program.
Since its beginnings in 1988, this training program has supported approximately 100 doctoral and postdoctoral students “who have gone on to work at respected academic institutions, governmental regulatory agencies and pharmaceutical companies,” according to the university.
As part of the program, each student is paired with a university faculty mentor from the College of Medicine. Most mentors are in cancer and cell biology, dermatology, environmental health, pediatrics and molecular genetics departments.
“One of the strengths of our program is that it crosses departmental boundaries. The idea fertilization that results is a major benefit to our students and a key focus of modern research,” explains Peter Stambrook, PhD, the UC professor of molecular genetics, biochemistry and microbiology who directs the program. “The grant is important to student training because it provides all sorts of learning experiences - whether it’s attending a professional meeting and presenting research results for the first time or being interrogated by their peers during journal club discussions.”
Students accepted into the training program get free tuition, a pay stipend and some funds for lab supplies. They get financial support for travel as part of the requirement to present some of their research as well.
Writer: Feoshia Henderson
Source: Amanda Harper, Public Information Officer, University of Cincinnati
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