The Department of Pathology, with three major research divisions (Molecular Oncology, Immunology, and Experimental Pathology) serves as the intellectual and administrative home for two graduate programs. Although there is some overlap in faculty, the fundamental emphasis of these programs is quite different, and they provide distinctive training environments.

The Graduate Training Program in Molecular Oncology and Immunology has three major areas of emphasis: immunology (both basic and applied), mammalian cancer biology, and the interface between the two. Research topics of interest to Program faculty range from fundamental questions in immunology (the mechanistic basis of immunological tolerance; T cell receptor signaling; cellular dynamics of the germinal center) to contemporary topics in molecular oncology (mechanisms of action of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes; cell cycle regulation; carcinogenesis, angiogenesis, invasion, and metastasis) to immunotherapy of cancer and vaccine development for diverse diseases such as HIV and malaria.

The Graduate Training Program in Pathobiology takes a more consciously clinically oriented approach, providing classroom instruction in mammalian pathophysiology using new courses specifically tailored for graduate students, with rotations through animal histology and surgical and autopsy pathology. Pathobiology students may perform their thesis research in a basic or translational research laboratory, but are required to include a clinical co-mentor on their thesis advisory committee. Pathobiology faculty research areas include diverse areas of modern immunology, growth control, and cancer biology, often with a clinical interest.

For current trainees, forms and materials related to the Pathobiology or the Molecular Oncology and Immunology training programs are available in the Student Resources section.