We are leading a new initiative to establish a laboratory-based PhD Program in Applied Cancer Immunology, located in the state of Florida. The program is focused on understanding how the immune system works and how it can be mobilized to destroy cancer cells. Unique features of the program are 1) focused coursework taught by physicians and basic scientists, 2) mentored research at a nationally recognized Comprehensive Cancer Center, 3) exposure to state-of-the-art instrumentation and clinical trials/patient care at the Cancer Hospital, and 4) real-world internships at biotech and pharmaceutical companies. Such training will prepare the students for the job market in academia, pharmaceuticals, biotech companies, medical device companies, patent offices or cancer hospitals. This survey is to gauge your interest in entering this graduate program.

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* 1. Have you considered a career in biological sciences?

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* 2. Coursework will be taught by faculty members actively conducting research at a nationally recognized Comprehensive Cancer Center.

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* 3. Each course will be small with size ranges from 6-12 students.

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* 4. Students will rotate through 2-3 laboratories within the first semester of the first year to identity their preferred area of research. The student will select the laboratory/mentor by the second semester for dissertation research.

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* 5. Rotations in high technology core facilities, such as Flow Cytometry, Animal Imaging, Proteomics, Genomics, Chemical Biology, in the first semester will allow students to gain critical skills to conduct their research.

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* 6. Six month Internships at an external site, such as biotech companies, pharmaceuticals, research institutes, will prepare students for transition into the job market.

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* 7. The student will be paid a stipend of $25,000 - $28,000 per year plus tuition benefits.

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* 8. Would a PhD program with each of these features listed, be attractive to you?

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