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This fellowship program provides integrated training in nutrition and cancer research at both pre-doctoral (PhD) and post-doctoral levels (Ph.D. or M.D.) within the context of a large division of epidemiology and a comprehensive nutrition graduate program.  The program is intended to prepare fellows for research careers in nutrition and cancer etiology and prevention.

The emphasis of this training program is on cross-disciplinary training, i.e., requiring trainees to be exposed to fields of at least one discipline outside the discipline of their Ph.D. This field should be relevant to nutrition and cancer etiology and prevention research, including population-based studies on cancer epidemiology and etiology, laboratory-based nutritional studies in animals, clinic-based experimental studies in human nutrition, molecular epidemiology studies of genetic and biochemical markers on cancer susceptibility, cancer prevention and survivorship studies.

Upon successful completion, graduated trainees will be highly qualified to accept entry level research positions in academic departments of epidemiology, preventive medicine, human nutrition, or community health; or in public or private agencies engaged in cancer epidemiology and prevention research, especially tailored to dietary components. In short, we train fellows in research to pursue research careers.

Eligibility			Availability
	Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Pre-doctoral trainees typically have a masters degree or equivalent degree in a biologic or behavioral discipline and must apply and be formally admitted into either the Ph.D. program in Epidemiology or Nutrition.  Post-doctoral trainees must have earned a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, etc…) in health sciences or related fields (laboratory, clinical, nutrition and epidemiology).  Demonstrated potential or experience in research are the primary criteria for appointments. Criteria for selection of all trainees include academic performance and a career orientation toward independent research in an academic, clinical, or public health setting. National Research Service Award: T32 CA132670		There are 4 pre-doctoral and 4 post-doctoral fellowship positions.  Positions become available at irregular intervals. Please contact the Program P.I. and Director, Jian-Min Yuan, by phone or via e—mail to find out current availability before applying. P.I. and Director: Jian-Min Yuan, MD, PhD 612-625-8056 jyuan@umn.edu Co-Director: Mindy Kurzer, PhD 612-624-9789 mkurzer@umn.edu Program Assistant: Lori Strayer 612-626-8885 swan0156@umn.edu

The Fellowship Experience

Pre-doctoral trainees –
will be students pursuing a doctoral degree (PhD) in Epidemiology or Nutrition who choose
to specialize in cancer. The training of PhD students in Epidemiology has an emphasis on methods and biostatistics (epidemiologic study design and analysis, individual and group-randomized trials, computational methods in genetic epidemiology, and chemical carcinogenesis and chemoprevention).  The training in Nutrition focuses on the
biochemistry and physiology of nutrients and other dietary components.  Both PhD program take five years and the training includes coursework, a preliminary written exam, a preliminary oral exam based on trainee’s research proposal, a minimum of 80 hours of field experience, conduct of a research project along with completion of a dissertation, and a
final oral defense of the dissertation.

Post-doctoral trainees –
consist of individuals with a MD and/or PhD entering the program at various levels of
clinical and research training. Those without formal epidemiologic, statistical or nutrition training are required to take supplemental coursework, or get an MPH in epidemiology
or MS in Nutrition. The primary aim of this training program is to develop individuals with competence in research skills in nutrition and cancer with an emphasis in cross-disciplinary training.

Cross-disciplinary training –
All trainees must complete one course in molecular biology of cancer in order to gain exposure to the biological science approaches to research in cancer etiology and
prevention. Additionally, the cross-disciplinary component consists of a minimum of four courses in a secondary area. Trainees whose primary area is in Nutrition seeking an emphasis in Epidemiology are required to complete 2 courses in epidemiologic methods,
1 advanced course in biostatistics, and electives in cancer epidemiology or clinical trial
study design and conduct. For trainees whose primary area is in Epidemiology seeking an emphasis in Nutrition, the required coursework includes 3 courses in nutrition:
Macronutrient Metabolism, Vitamin and Mineral Biochemistry, and Nutrition and Genetics. Elective courses include Advanced topics in Nutrition.  The coursework options in genetics, molecular biology, nutrition and food science, and public health are wide and appropriate
for the development of a well-rounded approach to nutrition and cancer etiology and prevention.

Application Process

Stipend & Benefits

Stipend:

Based on current NIH-approved levels and years of post-doctoral experience. For more information, see http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-09-075.html
Annual appointments, with a three-year minimum commitment expected of pre-doctoral trainees, a two-year minimum commitment of postdoctoral trainees. Five-year maximum
pre-doctoral support, three-year maximum post-doctoral support.

Service Payback Obligation:
As specified in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993, Kirschstein-NRSA recipients incur a service payback obligation for the first 12 months of postdoctoral support.  Additionally, the Act specifies that the second year of postdoctoral Kirschstein-NRSA training support will serve
to pay back a postdoctoral service payback obligation.  (See Section VI.2. Administrative
and National Policy Requirements for further details.)

Tuition:
Full payment of tuition and fees.

Travel:
Reimbursement of pre-approved travel expenses to one professional meeting per grant
year (up to $800 for pre-doctoral, up to $1000 for post-doctoral).

Other Research-Related Expenses:
Reimbursement for textbooks and other required course materials, as well as certain
other research-related expenses, on a pre-approval basis.

Health Insurance:
Postdoctoral fellows find their own health insurance provider and the Division will
reimburse them for single or family rate. Fellows must send a copy of the check to accounting.

Pre-docs are eligible for the Graduate Assistant Health Plan.

Vacation/Sick/Parental Leave:
Trainees receive stipends during the normal periods of vacation and holidays observed
at the University of Minnesota. The period between spring and fall semesters is an active time of research training and is not considered to be a vacation or holiday.

Trainees may receive stipends for up to 15 calendar days of sick leave per year. Sick
leave may be used for the medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth. Up to
30 calendar days of parental leave per year is allowed for the adoption or birth of a child.  Insurance is covered during this time.

Office Space:
Trainees are generally housed individually with the research advisor to whom they are assigned.

Employee Status:
Post-doc: Nonservice employee/trainee
Pre-doc: Student

Evaluations:
Yearly evaluations plus annual updates for Human Subjects documentation and
grant continuations/renewals are required.

Administrative Support:
No routine clerical support is provided by the training grant.  An assistant to the Program Director will coordinate administrative functions such as processing of appointment documents, tuition and health insurance premium payments, and reimbursements for
travel and other training-related expenses.

Housing Contacts:
University of Minnesota Housing Service: (612)624-2994.

Research Ethics:
NIH has adopted a policy that all fellows take formal instruction in research ethics.

Fellowship Faculty

Program Directors:
Yuan, Jian-Min, MD, MPH, PhD    Div Epidemiology & Community Health,    Masonic Cancer Center       Environmental (dietary) and genetic factors in cancer etiology and prevention		Kurzer, Mindy S., PhD    Dept Food Science and Nutrition,    Director of Graduate Studies-Nutrition    Effects of dietary agents in modifying hormone metabolism and protection against hormone-related cancer
Div. Epidemiology & Community Health Anderson, Kristin E., PhD, MPH    Dietary and environmental factors in the etiology of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer Flood, Andrew P., PhD    Dietary and other environmental risk factors in the etiology and protection against colorectal cancer Folsom, Aaron R., MD, MPH    Role of obesity and nutrition in the development of cancer Harlow, Bernard L., PhD    Epidemiology of cancers in the reproductive system Harnack, Lisa, DrPH, RD       Nutrition Grad Faculty    Dietary behaviors and dietary intake in relation to obesity and cancer development and prevention. Jacobs, David R., PhD    Epidemiology of cancer and other chronic disease; epidemiological study design and statistical analysis Jeffery, Robert W., PhD Health behavior change and dietary intervention in prevention of obesity and obesity-related cancer Lazovich, DeAnn, PhD, MPH    Environmental, dietary, and genetic factors in the development and protection of cancer Nelson, Heather H., PhD, MPH    Role of environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors in development of cancer Robien, Kimberly, PhD, RD     Diet and folate mediated one-carbon metabolism, and vitamin D in cancer risk and prevention; dietary effect on cancer survivorship		Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition: Nutrition Graduate Program Gallaher, Daniel D., PhD    Role of dietary fat, fiber and whole grain in etiology and protection against colorectal cancer Peterson, Sabrina, PhD, RD    Dietary active compounds in cancer prevention, and diet-gene interaction on cancer development Slavin, Joanne L., PhD, RD    Effect of dietary fiber, phytoestrogens, soy and whole grains on various diseases including cancer Hormel Institute Cleary, Margot P., PhD       Mechanism dietary agents on induction and protection against hormone-related cancer Lu, Junxuan (Johnny), PhD      Cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies through supplements, medicinal foods or drugs Medical School Gross, Myron D., PhD     Role of dietary (particularly antioxidants) and genetic factors in smoking-related cancers; biomarker development for cancer risk prediction. Hecht, Stephen S., PhD       Mechanism of cancer induction by tobacco; cancer prevention by tobacco reduction and dietary agents