The CT2 Program provides a 2 year period of training in developmental therapeutics for post-doctoral scientists and physician-scientists at the Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health. The focus is on the development of novel therapeutics of all types combined with identification of biomarkers that allow individualization of treatment. The mission is to train investigators in each of the major steps in the development of a novel cancer therapeutic so as to position these individuals to play leading roles in academic institutions and industry in translating laboratory-based discoveries into safe and effective cancer therapeutic agents.
The training program has a single track for both PhD and MD scientists. Irrespective of whether an individual's past training and expertise is most relevant to an early (e.g., target identification/validation) or late (e.g., Phase I – III clinical trials) step in drug development, there is a core body of knowledge about the process of drug development that must be mastered by any person aiming to become a leader in cancer therapeutics. The training program has three components: 1) the completion of formal didactic courses that cover key tools and skills needed in the drug development process; 2) the conduct of a drug development research project under the direction of a faculty mentor; and, 3) participation in lecture series including presentations from UCSD faculty and speakers from pharmaceutical companies developing cancer therapeutics and diagnostics. Trainees are expected to attend Cancer Center and other institutional seminars, workshops and journal clubs and attend the annual American Association for Cancer Research or equivalent national meeting. Clinically trained fellows will not have clinical responsibilities beyond what may be required by their individual training program. Clinical fellows will be offered the opportunity, on a voluntary basis, to have a half-day clinic in their subspecialty each week.
Hands On Research Training
Fellows will conduct a project of their choice continuously during the 2 year period under the mentorship of a CT2 faculty member. The project may be focused on any of the following steps in the drug discovery process:
- Target identification, validation, function
- Drug design or synthesis
- Development or application of informatics or computational tools related to therapeutics development
- Development or use of novel animal models for pre-clinical testing
- Development or use of molecular or imaging diagnostic tools that can guide drug development
- Identification of lead compounds and investigation of structure activity relationships
- Cellular pharmacology and testing of in vitro activity in cell line models
- Pharmacogenomics and genetic determinants of drug sensitivity and toxicity
- Development of analytical tools for drug measurement in biological fluids
- Efficacy in animal tumor models
- Pharmacokinetics in animal models
- Preclinical non-GLP toxicology and toxicogenetics
- Identification of biomarkers that quantify or predict drug effect
- Design and execution of Phase I clinical trials of novel agents
- Design and execution of human pharmacokinetic trials
- Design and execution of Phase II clinical trials of novel agents
- Design and execution of Phase III clinical trials
In addition to providing individualized guidance to the trainee, the Mentor is a source of advice for the development of the individual's career path. Within the first 3 months, each trainee will prepare a 5-page project plan, to be reviewed by the CT2 Executive Committee. The final plan will serve as the basis for assessing progress and performance throughout the 2 year period. There will be two formal reviews of each trainee's progress during the training period, in month 8 and month 20, consisting of a presentation of research progress and feedback from the Executive Committee for the educational benefit of the trainee.
Didactic Training
CREST Coursework
CT2 trainees are required to complete 5 courses offered through the Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) program, designed to be delivered over the 2 year training period (see Requirements). A different module is offered in each quarter; each module consists of 10 weekly, 2 hour periods of instruction in the late afternoon or early evening. The modules cover basic principles of cancer drug developmental therapeutics, biostatistics, data management and informatics, clinical trial design and execution, regulatory affairs, patient oriented research and epidemiology. A Certificate in Clinical Research and/or a Masters Degree in Advanced Studies in Clinical Research, are also available upon completion of this introductory curriculum with minor additions. Additional info can be found on the Requirements Page.
Ethics Requirement
Trainees are required to take one program-approved Ethics course offered during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters through the Research Ethics Program. This course satisfies the NIH requirement for instruction in the responsible conduct of research. Topics include roles and responsibilities of researchers, data collection and ownership, issues relating to use of animal and human subjects, scientific and grant writing, code of ethics for authors, reviewers and editors and conflicts of interest.
Lectures Series
Trainees are expected to attend the weekly lecture series covering these topics (see Lecture Series):
- Principles of Cancer Drug Therapeutics Development and Topics in Cancer Drug Development: A weekly seminar series during the Fall, Winter and Spring quarters featuring talks on topics directly relevant to cancer therapeutics and diagnostics development by UCSD faculty and presentations by senior leaders in our biomedical/pharmaceutical company community on the drugs they are developing.
Trainees may also participate in the Topics in Hematology-Oncology weekly lecture series that features Faculty members and Fellows lecturing on the clinical use of cancer therapeutic agents and the management of cancer.
Grant Writing
The ability to prepare a cogent and clearly written research proposal is essential to the trainee's ability to assume a leadership position in cancer drug development in academia or industry. Within the first 18 months, trainees are required to prepare a mock NIH application which will is critiqued by an ad hoc group of faculty members, acting as a typical Study Section, and provide written feedback to the fellow. Fellows may use a real grant application if they plan to submit one.
Career Preparation
After completion of this Fellowship, trainees will be equipped with a broad range of skills vital to careers as independent investigators in Academia or leaders in the pharmaceutical industry. Under the direction of a faculty Mentor, the trainee is expected acquire critical investigative skills in his/her focused area of research. In addition, the trainee will acquire practical experience within the field of developmental therapeutics and diagnostics.
Fellowship Stipend and Benefits
Your CT2 stipend level will be determined by the number of full years of training that you have completed since receiving your terminal/professional degree. The stipend is based on the NIH stipend scale and is not determined by the CT2 program or UC San Diego. You are eligible for a stipend increase following successful completion of your first 12 months of appointment.
The benefits of the program include HMO medical, dental and vision insurance coverage for yourself and your dependents.
Travel
A $1,000 annual travel stipend will be provided for you to attend the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research or a similar conference. It is highly recommended that an abstract be submitted.
Laboratory Supplies
The mentor in whose laboratory you will be working will provide research equipment, supplies and lab space for your entire training period during which you will be executing your research project.
Housing
Housing is not included in the CT2 award. Appointed trainees are encouraged to arrange for housing immediately upon acceptance, as housing is in high demand in areas close to the La Jolla campus. Faculty and staff housing information can be accessed at offcampushousing.ucsd.edu. The UC San Diego La Jolla Del Sol Office (Phone: (858) 587-1221 E-mail: ljds@ucsd.edu) compiles a market comparison report which provides information regarding off-campus apartment complexes in the UTC area of La Jolla. This report can be accessed through UC San Diego Housing.