About the Program       

       The Translational Research Oncology Training Program (TROTP) of the Cancer Center at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) and University Hospitals of Cleveland (UHC) invites physicians with clinical experience in one of a number of oncology disciplines to obtain comprehensive interdisciplinary training in translational oncology research. The program, with funding support from the National Institutes of Health, provides full financial support to qualified trainees for a minimum of two years. Applications for trainee appointments are competitive and are considered on a yearround basis. Trainess must be physicians holding the M.D. or D.O. degree who are U.S. Citzens, nationals, or lawfully-admitted permanent residents of the United States.  
       The TROTP is founded on the Cancer Center's existing translational research efforts, which join seven interconnected scientific programs (Molecular Biology of Oncogenesis, Molecular Virology, Cancer Genetics, Radiation Biology, Hematopoietic and Immune Cell Biology, Developmental Therapeutics, Cancer Prevention and Control) to create a dynamic infastructure and an ideal training environment.  
       From this infastructure four subprograms provide the focus of the TROTP. These subprograms are  
       •Mechanism-Based Therapeutics  
       •Cancer Population Genetics  
       •Hematopoiesis/Stem Cell Biology  
       •Tumor Immunology/Immunotherapy  
       The program is guided by an advisory committee comprised of faculty representing clinical and basic science areas of expertise and is directed by CWRU Professor of Medicine and Pharmacology, Clark W. Distelhorst, M.D. Dr. Distelhorst is a physician-scientist with a nationally recognized and continuously funded cancer research program focusing on the fundamental mechanism of apoptosis, particularly as it relates to breast cancer and lymphoma. 
       The ultimate goal of the TROTP is to train physicians for academic positions in translational oncology research, thereby increasing the likelihood that basic research fidings will be applied to clinical cancer carein a creative and timely manner. To achieve this goal, the TROTP seeks to increase the number of clinical oncologists who are motivated and properly trained to 
•Interact and coordinate clinical research activities with basic research scientists in order to expedite the translation of basic research information into patient oriented research. 
•Perform independent clinical research that develops and tests rational scientific hypotheses based on fundamental and clinical research findings for improving the medical care of cancer patients. 
•Design and test innovative clinical protocols and manage all phases of clinical trial research.