View the 2025 Request for Applications

Training

A.    Basic Science Research - Core Requirement

  • A “hands-on” basic science experience (traditional “bench” environment or basic imaging research in animals and humans) is supervised by the Basic Science mentor.
  • Scholar attends all relevant laboratory meetings and executes a laboratory project that will lead to abstract submission and publication.

B.    Clinical Research - Core Requirement

  • Scholar is involved in developing or implementing a clinical trial with a clinical science mentor.
  • Scholar may be assigned a clinical trial in development that is line with research interest.
  • Scholar is exposed to 1) informed consent issues, 2) submission procedures to the IRB, 3) interactions with Office for the Protection of Research Subjects within the Cancer Center, and 4) regulatory elements of clinical research including adverse event reporting

C.   Didactic Training

Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH)- Program in Clinical Effectiveness (PCE)

  • The Scholar takes the PCE at the HSPH for two consecutive summer terms (7 weeks full-time classroom attendance in July and August):  http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/clinical-effectiveness/
    • Curriculum includes:
      • • introductory and advanced biostatistics,
      • • clinical epidemiology,
      • • decision analysis,
      • • ethics,
      • • medical informatics,
      • • principles of clinical trials and survival methods
  • Scholar receives a HSPH certificate upon completion.
  • Scholars are encouraged to apply for HSPH Master of Science or a Master of Public Health degree, which requires a few more credits in addition to the two summer terms.

Required 3-hour Weekly MGH Neuro-Oncology Fellowship Meeting (3 parts):

  • Journal Club. The Scholar, clinical fellow or staff member presents a published research paper or topic review. The meeting trains fellows in the critical review of contemporary scientific literature and keeps everyone abreast of the most recent developments in neuro-oncology.
  • Research Seminar. Attended by faculty, Scholars, and fellow postdoctoral trainees. An invited guest presents weekly. Twice per year, Scholar reviews the background and progress of their K12 research projects. The seminar trains Scholars to prepare, present and evaluate scientific data.
  • Research Protocol meeting Attended by fellows, Scholars, attending physicians, research nurses, and clinical research assistants. Everyone reviews protocol patients and discusses clinical trials (open, in process, new).

 Other regularly scheduled conferences (encouraged as time allows, but not required)

  • Weekly: Neuro-Oncology Clinical Conference, Hematology/Oncology Grand Rounds, Hematology/Oncology Seminar Series, Neurosurgery Grand Rounds, Neurology Grand Rounds
  • Monthly: Neuro-Oncology Research Seminar Series, Neuroscience Seminar Series
  • Annual: DF/HCC Neuro-Oncology Scientific Retreat, New England Neuro-Oncology Symposium