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We seek Ph.D., M.D., or M.D./Ph.D. Fellows interested in defining particular genetic variants that can be used in a diagnostic test to counsel breast cancer patients for reproductive and clinical decision making, and to help act as a guide for treatment. This project is part of a collaboration with Dr. Kenneth Offit, Chief of the Clinical Genetics Service at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. The Fellow is envisioned to be an active participant in this collaboration, which would involve at least some travel to New York. The candidate is expected to have an interest and some qualifications in genetic epidemiology and molecular biology. Previous laboratory research experience in molecular pathology and/or cancer biology would be particularly helpful. Some background in biostatistics is required. Exposure to statistical genetic concepts including haplotype estimation and segregation analysis in pedigrees would also be useful. Dr. Offit has organized an international collaboration aimed at defining gene variants, in addition to those already known, that may associate with or modify breast cancer risk. Data are being produced at Memorial Sloan-Kettering currently, with the analysis being conducted at NCI-Frederick, in large part. In the future, this research strategy may change, with large amounts of data being produced at the NCI Advanced Technology Center in Gaithersburg or at NCI-Frederick. In any case, the candidate is expected to follow the data and participate in the analysis. In later years of the Fellowship, it is hoped that the candidate will have sufficient facility in statistical genetics and genetic epidemiology to conduct the analyses on their own.
Dr. Offit supervises a large clinical genetics program in New York that involves overseeing many high risk families. Candidates with M.D.s may choose to focus on aiding in the counseling of these families with a view toward entering a program that would enable them to seek Board Certification in Clinical Genetics. Other collaborations relevant to studying the genetics of Breast Cancer in underserved ethnic groups are planned or in various stages of development in the laboratory. A project aimed at providing better Bayesian statistics to aid genetic counselors is also underway in the laboratory. The Fellow will be given the opportunity to participate in these projects as well.
