Cancer Studies (Research Division)
| This research opportunity is provided by the School of Medicine. Follow this link for information about the School, including facilities, funding, and a list of staff research interests. | |
| Research profile - RAE score: 5. - Research income: over £6 million in 2006-7. - Current number of academic staff: 39. - Current number of research students: PhD 18 FT, 20 PT. - Recent publications • CD4+CD25high Foxp3+ regulatory T cells in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). • Activated ezrin promotes cell migration through recruitment of the GEF Dbl to lipid rafts and preferential downstream activation of Cdc42. • A gene-expression signature to predict survival in breast cancer across independent data sets. • How is place of death from cancer changing and what affects it? Analysis of cancer registration and service data. • Factors influencing death at home in terminally ill patients with cancer: systematic review. - Current research projects • Gene expression and epigenetic changes in breast cancer. • Early detection of symptomatic disease. • Mechanisms in myelodysplastic syndromes and haematological malignancies. • Mechanisms of chemotaxis. • Cancer stem cells: tumour profiling; cancer cell proteomics, pathophysiology of lymphoedema. - Partner organisations: Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, South East London Cancer Network. | |
| Research description The Division of Cancer Studies sits within the School of Medicine and has a multidisciplinary research portfolio that maps onto and spans the entire cancer patient journey. The division brings together and is underpinned by core strengths in haemato-oncology, breast cancer biology, epidemiology, cancer cell biology and palliative care, alongside the unique resources of the Breast Tissue Bank and the Thames Cancer Registry. The strategic objective of the Division is to foster a culture of innovation in cancer patient care through research excellence. To achieve this we are working towards a fully integrated cancer research pathway, breaking down traditional clinical/academic boundaries and drawing together members of the division and the associated Hospital Trusts. This is reflected in the coordinated strategic planning that has laid the foundations for the Integrated Cancer Centre. There are currently five sections of the division: Cancer Epidemiology; Cell Biology and Imaging; Haemato-oncology; Palliative Care, Policy and Rehabilitation, and Research Oncology. | |
| Head of group/division Professor Peter Parker FRS | |
| Study environment Sections within the Division encourage their students to take an active part in their internal seminar programmes and they are expected to present at least twice yearly to fellow students and academic members of staff. All graduate students (both full- and part-time) within the Division are also encouraged to attend the wide variety of courses specifically offered by the College (individual sections also provide more specific health and safety, and induction sessions). More tailored courses, such as those on thesis writing and citation management, are also available. First year students are also encouraged, where thought necessary, to attend in full or part, selected undergraduate courses pertinent to cancer studies. During the course of their training, graduate student progress is monitored initially at the three-month stage and thereafter at six monthly intervals by both supervisors and an external assessor from within the division. This allows both students and supervisors to air any concerns and also promotes regular contact between those involved. Upgrade from MPhil to PhD status is dependent on successful presentation of progress by the student, and is usually expected to occur within the first year of commencement of full-time PhD study. | |
| Training Training of graduates is considered an important element of their career development. To this end centrally coordinated training in transferable skills is provided through the College. | |
| Application and PhD approval process Funded studentships are usually advertised on the College’s website, in the New Scientist or Nature journals, on www.jobs.ac.uk or on www.findaphd.com. Applicants should follow the instructions given in these advertisements. Please note that most funding bodies will only support home/EU fees. Self-funded applicants should submit the College application form to the Registry. All applicants will be interviewed by at least two academics from the division. Proposed research projects must be approved by the School of Medicine Postgraduate Research Students Committee before an offer can be made. | |
| Staff research interests Show further information | |
| Research groups | |
| English language requirements More information for students whose first language is not English. | |
| Student destinations Over 85 per cent of students under the primary supervision of divisional staff continued in academic and medical research taking Post-Doctoral or more senior positions (MD/PhDs). The remaining students have taken commercial positions. | |
| Funding A small number of studentships for specific named projects, funded by external funding agencies such as the research councils (eg MRC), or charitable bodies are usually available (these are normally advertised on the College’s website, in the New Scientist or Nature journals, or on www.jobs.ac.uk or www.findaphd.com). These typically provide a stipend and the payment of tuition fees at the home/EU rate. Other than this, applicants will be expected to be self-funded through a personal scholarship or private means. | |
| Section 6 of application form Please provide information on the research project you wish to undertake, information about your research experience and, for self-funded applicants, details of how you plan to fund yourself. | |
| Contact for further information Research Administrator, tel 020 7848 8300, fax 020 7848 6220. |
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