HDFCCC Physician Scientist Program in Clinical Oncology

Physician Scientist Program in Clinical Oncology

Register now for the Investigator-Initiated Therapeutic Trials - From Concept to Activation Workshop (see below for more information).

The goal of the HDFCCC Physician Scholar Program in Clinical Oncology is to foster the development of the next generation of clinical scientists to be effective partners with discovery scientists and conduct high-impact and innovative patient-centered cancer research. The program integrates the HDFCCC's strengths in basic cancer research, experimental therapeutics, clinical research methodology, and expertise in cancer-related translational research, imaging, patient-reported outcomes, biomarkers, healthcare disparities, community engagement, and biostatistics. 

For more information email Jennifer Seuferer.

Upcoming K12 Program Seminars 

Investigator-Initiated Therapeutic Trials - From Concept to Activation Register Now

Dec. 4, 2026, 10am - 2:30pm, in-person Mission Hall Room 1406. Register

This seminar is Part 1 of the Concept to Completion (C2C), Strategies for Successful Clinical Trials Series. Topics include:

  • Getting started- coming up with an idea, types of sponsors, creative phase I/II designs, and the LOI process

  • Pen to paper: Protocol structure and available resources to facilitate the writing process

  • Study start-up 1: Understanding budgets

  • Study start-up 2: Activation process and typical timeline

Contact Jennifer Seuferer for more information. 

 

Coming in Spring 2027 - Investigator-Initiated Therapeutic Trials - From Launch to Completion (Part 2 of C2C). Topics include:

  • Nuts and bolts of team operations and running a trial - Advice from the experts

  • Assessing radiographic response

  • Accrual Considerations

  • Informed consent: Why it matters, tips for making the process go smoothly, and pitfalls to avoid

  • You’re Only Human: Deviations, violations, and incidents and how to handle them
Clinically Driven Discovery Science in Cancer - From Bench to Bedside Workshop (B2B)

Registration now closed. We will announce the next iteration in the first quarter of 2027.

Lead by Michelle Arkin, PhD, Michael Cheng, MD, and Trever Bivona, MD/PhD

This workshop will provide training and a rigorous foundation for hypothesis-driven patient-focused research, covering clinical and preclinical iteration. Attendees will participate in interactive didactic and individualized discussions that culminate in a translational and/or clinical research protocol synopsis focused on testing a patient-centered hypothesis of their interest(s).

For most topics, participants will first view online lectures, followed by in-person, small group discussion. Participants must be able to participate in the in-person group discussions to join the course. Open to postdocs, graduate students, senior clinical fellows and early career faculty. 

Learning Objectives:

  • Summarize the stages of preclinical foundations
  • Describe preclinical and clinical combination studies and when to use them
  • Summarize clinical trial design
  • Explain radionuclide therapies
  • Explain biomarkers and pharmacodynamic studies
  • Discuss preclinical to clinical PK & PD

In accordance with Federal and State law and University policy, the University of California does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, health, or disability. For detailed information, please visit the  Office for the Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination.