Letter from Cancer Center Director

Dear Prospective Graduate Student:

If you are pursuing studies and a career in oncology, one of the nation’s most dynamic cancer-focused environments is at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute and the Karmanos Cancer Center.

At Karmanos, Michigan’s only independent cancer center, over 300 scientists conduct innovative research into the detection, prevention and eradication of cancer.  Karmanos researchers consistently receive awards for their outstanding work. 

This year, Institute faculty successfully competed for more than $46.2 million in cancer research grants.  Laboratory research by our faculty from Wayne State University’s School of Medicine is concentrated in five programmatic areas including Breast Cancer; Developmental Therapeutics; Molecular Biology and Genetics; Population Sciences and Prevention; and Proteases and Cancer.  The breadth and depth of our research – with more than 700 cancer-specific clinical trials and research programs now underway – provides many unique opportunities for graduate education.  Students learn from, and contribute to, our collective efforts to eradicate cancer, whether their projects are focused on basic mechanisms in cancer or new approaches to treatment or prevention.

Our National Cancer Institute designation as one of the nation’s 39 comprehensive cancer centers, is based on how well we stimulate collaboration among scientists conducting basic, translational and clinical research, which often prompts even greater accomplishments by investigators and their students.  The Institute’s faculty and staff strive to identify patients and families facing higher risks of cancer, and to bring them timely diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.  Our researchers also work on new and better ways of educating residents across metro Detroit.
 
I welcome and encourage you to join us at the Institute. You can make a genuine difference by helping defeat cancer, while completing your education and developing your research skills.

Sincerely,

John C. Ruckdeschel, M.D.
President and Chief Executive Officer
Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute