Research Training
The focus of the research component of our training program is to provide Fellows with a comprehensive, in depth research experience that will prepare them for a successful career as leaders in academic pediatric oncology, hematology and stem cell transplantation. Our goal is to train Fellows who will go on to establish independent research careers in either basic research or translational research.
Our division strongly values both clinical research and laboratory-based research. During their first year, fellows are encouraged to decide whether to seek advanced training in clinical or laboratory-based research.
Fellows may pursue research projects anywhere throughout the Medical School or University. They are not restricted to only members of our program. Fellows are expected to devote the majority of their time to research in the 2nd and 3rd years. A faculty research committee assists fellows in identifying a suitable research laboratory. First year fellows interested in laboratory research attend the Cancer Biology Program retreat in the fall (or a similar retreat offered by one of several other Stanford graduate programs if desired) of their first year to gain exposure to the broad range of research opportunities and assist them in finding a suitable research laboratory.
In addition, 2nd year students attend the Comprehensive Cancer Research Training Program (CCRTP) offered by the School of Medicine in early fall to help them gain a greater understanding of research priorities within oncology.
To help ensure the fellows are on track and are developing a suitable research project, a faculty research committee meets with 2nd and 3rd year fellows twice a year to review their progress in their research projects.
Several faculty members within the Pediatric department have research programs particularly suited for our fellowship trainees. Research laboratories affiliated with the training program are located in the divisions of Cancer Biology and Stem Cell Transplantation:
Cancer Biology
- Michael Cleary, M.D. (Leukemia Pathogensis)
- Julien Sage, Ph.D. (Retinoblasoma, Osteosarcoma)
- Alejandro Sweet-Cordero, M.D. (Ewing's Sarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Experimental Therapeutics)
- Kathleen Sakamoto, M.D. (leukemia pathogenesis)
Stem Cell Transplantation
- Kenneth Weinberg, M.D.(Immune Development, Lymphocyte Biology)
- Matt Porteus, M.D. (gene therapy)
Fellows are encouraged to explore research opportunities outside the Pediatric Department as well. Other laboratories focused on cancer research are organized into the Interdepartmental Cancer Biology Program, the Immunology Program: and several others. In addition, because of the close proximity with the main Stanford campus, fellows with research interests in chemistry, engineering or other areas applicable to cancer research can seek opportunities in any Stanford department.
Stanford University is a National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated Cancer Center. A wide variety of educational opportunities that enrich our fellows experience are available through the Cancer Center.
Stanford offers an environment that fosters collaboration across disciplines. We believe that the unique combination of a world-class pediatric hospital and medical school with a world-class University sets us apart as one of the premier pediatric hematology/oncology training programs that will continue to train the next generation of leaders in our specialty.
We recognize that two years of intensive research is usually not enough to prepare fellows for a succesfull academic career. We encourage our fellows stay on in the lab for an additional 1-3 years in order to fully develop their projects and become competitive for research careers. Numerous intra-mural and extra-mural funding opportunities are available to fund this additional research time. We work closely with our fellows to help them identify suitable funding opportunities to ensure that they will continue to have dedicated research time beyond the end of the 3-year fellowship training program.
