Undergraduate Courses/Research Opportunities
Introduction to Oncology (ONCOL 320)
Oncology 320 is a three unit lecture course offered every Fall semester at University of Alberta through the Department of Oncology. This course provides an introduction to oncology with an emphasis on the molecular and cellular biology of cancer. Specific topics include the genetic basis of cancer, the control of cell proliferation, metastasis, tumour immunology, angiogenesis, cancer detection and cancer therapies. The prerequisite for the course is BIOCH 200.
Honors Research Projects
The Department of Oncology currently has no independent program for undergraduates. However, an undergraduate can carry out a 498 or 499 research project co-supervised by an Oncology faculty member, provided the primary supervisor is a faculty member in a University of Alberta undergraduate program (e.g., Biological Sciences). Interested students should contact potential supervisors before registering for the 498 or 499 course.
Summer Student Program
The Department of Oncology offers summer employment opportunities to registered undergraduate students or students who have completed their undergraduate program and have applied to graduate or medical school. These summer positions are not limited to University of Alberta students. Preference is generally given to students eligible for studentships from the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research (AHFMR). or the Alberta Cancer Research Institute (ACRI). Interested students should contact potential supervisors at least 6 months prior to the summer term. Students accepted into the program present their accomplishments in a departmental seminar series during the last month of their research. Students are also encouraged to participate in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry Research Day Poster session in early autumn.
2009 Summer Student Research Program Announcement
The 2009 Summer Student Research Program in the Department of Oncology is now drawing to a close. Over 20 undergraduate students from across Canada carried out research projects either at the Cross Cancer Institute, or elsewhere on campus supervised by faculty from the Department of Oncology. 13 of these students received external stipend awards:
Student |
Supervisor |
Studentship Award |
Benjamin Adam |
Dr. Raymond Lai |
AHFMR |
Emma Heydari |
Dr. Roseline Godbout |
AHFMR |
Paul Kahlke |
Dr. Paul Grundy |
Michael Smith Foundation |
Jonathan Koshy |
Dr. Michael Weinfeld |
ACRI/AHFMR |
Keith Lawson |
Dr. Ronald Moore |
AHFMR |
Tina Liang |
Dr. Linda Pilarski |
AHFMR |
Yvonne Malo |
Dr. Michael Hendzel |
ACRI |
Bradley Martin |
Dr. Roseline Godbout |
ACRI/AHFMR |
Lana Myroniuk |
Dr. Roseline Godbout |
ACRI |
Amanda Pisio |
Dr. Mary Hitt |
ACRI |
Natalie Rollick |
Dr. Mary Hitt |
ACRI |
Nirupan Vipulananthan |
Dr. Ronald Moore |
ACRI/AHFMR |
Lisa World |
Dr. John Mercer |
ACRI |
This year, as in previous years, the Department of Oncology hosted a seminar series in which summer students had the opportunity to present the results of their summer research. As usual, the series was well attended by members of the department including faculty, staff and students. From among the many excellent speakers, three students were selected to receive awards for their outstanding presentations:
• First place: Douglas Friesen, University of Waterloo, Mathematics graduate; Dr. Jack Tuszynski, supervisor
• Second place: Gavin Hansen, University of Alberta, Biology undergraduate program; Drs. David Murray and Razmik Mirzayans, co-supervisors
• Third place: Bradley Martin, University of Alberta, Biochemistry undergraduate program; Dr. Roseline Godbout, supervisor
(From left to right: Gavin Hansen, Bradley Martin, Douglas Friesen)
Congratulations to all speakers, and many thanks for participating in the Department of Oncology Summer Research Program!