About Cancer Biology Graduate Program
Partners in Progress, Leaders in Discovery
Learn how the Cancer Biology Program brings scientists together to lead advancements in cancer research.
Established in 2010, the U-M Medical School's PhD Program in Cancer Biology was founded on the belief that defeating cancer demands innovative thinking and new perspectives on the biology of this complex disease. The National Cancer Institute estimates that in 2025, more than 2 million Americans will receive a diagnosis of cancer, and about 618,000 individuals will succumb to the disease. The urgent need for deeper understanding, improved treatments, and effective prevention strategies is clear.
Program Overview
The U-M Medical School Cancer Biology program spans many disciplines including cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and immunology, to name a few. It represents a unique set of training and educational activities that, taken collectively, expose students to the full breadth of cancer biology while allowing immersion in a specific dissertation topic of the student's choice.
Research Areas
Faculty in the program are interested in a number of topic areas:
- Tumor microenvironment
- Cancer metabolism
- Tumor immunology
- Cell biology
- Genetics
- Signaling
- Precision medicine
- Pathology
- Bioinformatics
Projects range from fundamental studies of basic biological processes to translational research aiming to move basic findings to the clinic.
Hear from a student
The Cancer Biology Program provides an incredible and supportive training environment that has shaped me into a more thoughtful scientist and leader. Beyond the lab, the program's commitment to community building has fostered a sense of belonging and collaboration that has been essential to my personal and professional growth.
Meet Our Admin Team
Costas A Lyssiotis, PhD
Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Professor of Internal Medicine
Director Academic Program
Graduate Program in Cancer Biology
Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Co-Director of the Rogel and Blondy Center for Pancreatic Cancer
Rogel Cancer Center
Medical School
Maria Castro, PhD
Professor of Neurosurgery
Professor of Cell and Developmental Biology and Co-Director
Brain Tumor Research and Translational Neuro-Oncology Laboratories
Medical School
Analisa DiFeo, PhD
Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Associate Director Academic Program
Cancer Biology Graduate Program
Medical School
Yatrik M Shah
Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology
Professor of Internal Medicine and Associate Director Academic Programs
Cancer Biology Graduate Program
Medical School
