PHILADELPHIA, PA — In a significant advancement for cancer research and medical education, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and The Wistar Institute have announced the creation of a new Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program. This collaborative effort aims to drive forward the battle against cancer by fostering the development of future leaders in research and innovation.
Jay S. Feldstein, DO, President and CEO of PCOM, emphasized the importance of this partnership, noting that it represents a continuation of PCOM’s commitment to providing top-tier medical education and research opportunities. “Together with the expertise and resources of Wistar combined with the academic excellence of PCOM, we will continue to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge to confront the complexities of cancer and improve outcomes for patients everywhere,” Feldstein stated.
The program is designed to prepare participants for successful careers in both academic and industrial settings within the field of cancer biology and drug development. It will offer a comprehensive and integrated curriculum administered jointly by faculty from both Wistar and PCOM. Students will engage in cutting-edge research aimed at understanding the molecular underpinnings of cancer initiation and progression, as well as the process of drug discovery and development.
Dario C. Altieri, M.D., Wistar President and CEO and director of its Ellen and Ronald Caplan Cancer Center, highlighted the broader impact of this initiative on the Philadelphia region’s burgeoning life science sector. “This collaboration with PCOM means Philadelphia now has a new biomedical science Ph.D. program to support our region’s growing life science sector,” Altieri remarked.
The announcement also builds on a previous collaboration between PCOM and Wistar to offer degree programs and educational opportunities in Biomedical Sciences, which recently received grant funding from VentureWell to support bioentrepreneurship training. This initiative includes a “Shark Tank” style event designed to promote the training of underrepresented scientists and foster their involvement in the biotechnology industry and technology transfer processes.
Mindy George-Weinstein, PhD, Chief Research and Science Officer at PCOM, expressed enthusiasm about the unique learning environment the program will offer. “Teaming up with Wistar is an exceptional opportunity for students to learn in collaborative and multidisciplinary environments, develop expertise in research related to cancer biology, and participate in technology development leading to innovations in detection and treatment,” she said.
As the program welcomes its first cohort, the partnership between PCOM and The Wistar Institute stands as a beacon of hope and innovation, poised to make significant contributions to the fight against cancer and to the future of medical research and education.
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