Research Fellowship in Nutrition and Cancer

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.

 

The Fellowship Experience

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Specific research areas include the description and explanation of cancer trends in populations as they relate to diet. Studies of diet and dietary agents in the development of cancer, studies of the nutrition-genetic epidemiology of cancer, studies of diet x gene interaction on cancer, controlled laboratory studies on the mechanism of dietary agents on cancer development and protection, and intervention trials of diet and dietary agents on cancer prevention.

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 programs 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 –
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, an electives in cancer epidemiology, obesity or clinical trial study design and conduct. For trainees whose primary area is in Epidemiology seeking an emphasis in Nutrition, the required coursework includes 4 courses in nutrition: Nutritional Biochemistry, Nutritional Physiology, Vitamin and Mineral Biochemistry and Nutrition and Genetics. It is highly recommended that trainees 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.   Post-doctorates have the option of proposing their own, individualized cross-training plan, for committee approval. 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

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Complete the following:

 • Fellowship Application
 • A Statement of Purpose and Objectives
 • Three letters of recommendation
 • Copies of official transcripts of  both undergraduate and graduate studies
 • C.V.

For pre-doctoral trainees, include also:

 • Copy of GRE exam score

Mail all components to:

Dr. Kristin Anderson
Division of Epidemiology& Community Health
University of Minnesota
1300 South Second Street, Suite 300
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55454

Note: A trainee must be a citizen or non-citizen national of the U.S. or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., must have a currently valid Permanent Resident Card (USCIS Form I-551), or other legal verification of such status). Non-citizen nationals are generally persons born in outlying possessions of the U.S. (e.g., American Samoa and Swains Island). Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible.

 

Stipend & Benefits

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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.

Current Predoctoral Stipend: 
    $21,180

Current Postdoctoral Stipend:
    $37,740-$52,068  - based on experience since receipt of the doctoral degree.
There is a potential payback requirement for postdocs who take nonresearch positions prior to the end of two years.

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
Predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows are encouraged and eligible to secure the Graduate Assistant Health Plan for single coverage through the University of Minnesota (http://www.shb.umn.edu/twincities/graduate-assistants.htm). If preferred, fellows can find their own health insurance provider and the program will reimburse them for an amount equivalent to the Graduate Assistant Health Plan single coverage rate—prior permission from the Program Director is required.

Vacation/Sick/Parental Leave:
Pre- and Post-doctoral Fellows will receive the same University holidays as facultyand staff. They are allowed up to 15 days of paid leave per year for vacation and/or illness. Fellows may take up to 60 days of maternity leave. Insurance is covered during this time.

 

Fellowship Faculty

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Program Directors:
Anderson, Kristin E., PhD, MPH Dietary and environmental factors in the etiology of cancer, especially pancreatic cancer		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		Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition: Nutrition Graduate Program
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 Lytle, Leslie, Ph.D., R.D. Cancer prevention and behavioral determinants of cancer risk; childhood obesity. 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		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 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