National Cancer Institute Campuses

The Bethesda Campus of the National Cancer Institute serves as the primary hub for groundbreaking cancer research and training programs. Here, scientists and trainees engage in a wide array of courses focused on advancing oncology knowledge and methodologies.

• Basic Cancer Biology: This foundational course explores the molecular mechanisms of cancer development, including oncogenes, tumor suppressors, and cell signaling pathways. Participants learn through lectures, lab simulations, and case studies on genetic mutations driving tumorigenesis.
• Clinical Oncology Training: Designed for medical professionals, this program covers cancer diagnosis, staging, and treatment modalities such as chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. It includes hands-on workshops on patient management and ethical considerations in clinical trials.
• Bioinformatics and Computational Biology: Trainees delve into data analysis tools for genomics and proteomics, using software like R and Python to interpret large-scale cancer datasets from projects like The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).
• Immunology in Cancer: This course examines the role of the immune system in tumor surveillance and evasion, with emphasis on checkpoint inhibitors and CAR-T cell therapies. Interactive sessions include reviewing recent clinical trial outcomes.
• Epidemiology of Cancer: Focusing on risk factors, prevention strategies, and population-based studies, this training uses statistical methods to analyze cancer incidence and survival rates across diverse demographics.
• Translational Research Methods: Bridging bench to bedside, participants study drug development pipelines, preclinical models, and regulatory affairs for new cancer therapeutics.
• Ethics and Policy in Cancer Research: Addressing bioethics, informed consent, and health policy impacts on oncology, this course features debates on equitable access to treatments.

These programs, spanning from introductory to advanced levels, foster interdisciplinary collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and students. With access to state-of-the-art facilities, trainees contribute to NCI's mission of conquering cancer through innovative education. The curriculum evolves with emerging discoveries, ensuring relevance in precision medicine and personalized therapies. Overall, the Bethesda Campus equips participants with skills to lead in global cancer control efforts, emphasizing evidence-based practices and multidisciplinary approaches. (Word count: 312)

The Frederick Campus, home to the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, specializes in advanced biomedical training, focusing on translational and high-throughput research technologies.

• Advanced Molecular Biology Techniques: This hands-on course covers CRISPR gene editing, next-generation sequencing, and single-cell RNA analysis. Lab modules allow trainees to design experiments for cancer model validation.
• Structural Biology and Drug Discovery: Participants learn X-ray crystallography, cryo-EM, and virtual screening for developing small-molecule inhibitors targeting cancer proteins like kinases and PD-1.
• High-Throughput Screening and Robotics: Training in automated platforms for drug repurposing and phenotypic assays, including data management with machine learning algorithms to identify hits from chemical libraries.
• Vaccine Development for Cancer: This program explores antigen design, adjuvant formulations, and phase I trial protocols for therapeutic vaccines against solid tumors and hematologic malignancies.
• Proteomics and Metabolomics: Courses teach mass spectrometry-based workflows to profile tumor microenvironments, biomarker discovery, and metabolic pathway disruptions in cancer cells.
• Biosafety and Containment in Research: Essential for BSL-3/4 labs, it covers pathogen handling, aerosol management, and emergency response in infectious disease models relevant to oncoviruses like HPV and EBV.
• Animal Models in Cancer Research: Ethical use of xenografts, GEMMs (genetically engineered mouse models), and imaging techniques like PET/CT for preclinical efficacy testing.

The Frederick Campus's courses leverage cutting-edge infrastructure, including the Advanced Technology Research Facility, to train scientists in innovative tools for accelerating discoveries from lab to clinic. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary teams, intellectual property management, and partnerships with industry. Trainees gain expertise in scalable technologies that support NCI's RAS Initiative and other precision oncology efforts. This environment nurtures the next generation of researchers equipped to tackle unmet needs in cancer biology and therapeutics development. (Word count: 305)

The Shady Grove Campus hosts specialized training initiatives for cancer research administration, epidemiology, and applied sciences, supporting NCI's extramural programs and collaborative efforts.

• Cancer Epidemiology and Biostatistics: This intensive course teaches surveillance methods, cohort and case-control studies, and statistical modeling for cancer risk assessment. Trainees analyze data from SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) program using SAS and advanced regression techniques.
• Grant Writing and Research Funding: Aimed at early-career investigators, it covers proposal development, budget preparation, and peer review processes for NIH grants. Workshops simulate R01 application submissions with feedback from senior mentors.
• Health Disparities in Oncology: Exploring social determinants of cancer outcomes, this program addresses racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic inequities through community-engaged research designs and intervention strategies.
• Cancer Prevention and Control: Participants study behavioral science, screening guidelines, and public health campaigns, including tobacco cessation and HPV vaccination programs. Field projects involve partnering with local health organizations.
• Regulatory Science for Cancer Therapeutics: This course focuses on FDA approval pathways, IND applications, and post-market surveillance for oncology drugs and devices. Case studies highlight accelerated approvals like those for targeted therapies.
• Bioethics in Clinical Trials: Delving into IRB protocols, vulnerable populations, and data sharing, trainees engage in role-playing scenarios to navigate complex ethical dilemmas in multi-site studies.
• Informatics for Cancer Surveillance: Training in electronic health records, AI applications, and big data analytics to improve cancer registry accuracy and predictive modeling for outbreak detection.

At Shady Grove, these courses emphasize practical skills for policy influence and program implementation, drawing on NCI's leadership in national cancer initiatives. The campus's proximity to Washington, D.C., facilitates interactions with policymakers. Programs incorporate real-world applications, mentorship from experts, and opportunities for networking in the cancer research community. This holistic approach prepares participants to address pressing challenges in cancer prevention, detection, and equitable care delivery. (Word count: 298)