Scholarship: Fully funded
Degree: B.S./M.S./Ph.D
Nationality: International Students
Location: USA
Application deadlines: Open
Scholarship Description:
Our focus is on understanding resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies such as DNA damage repair inhibitors (DDRi), sequencing DDRi with immuno-oncology (IO) drugs and identifying biomarkers of response to these agents. We have established a preclinical drug development programme in the Ovarian Cancer Research Centre with the aim of translating novel therapeutic discoveries from the laboratory into the clinic. We have developed >150 patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, patient-derived organoids and primary tumour cultures of ovarian and endometrial cancers. These PDX models mimic the original tumours, accelerating the translation of preclinical study results into clinical trials in patients. We also ‘humanise’ our models by transferring autologous tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) and macrophages (TAM), creating an autologous in vivo model system.
Our laboratory has close collaborations with pharmaceutical companies such as AstraZeneca, Merck, REPAIR, Zentalis. Based on preclinical studies from our laboratory, novel combination therapies have progressed to phase 1/2 clinical trials led by Dr Simpkins (e.g. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03462342 and GY031). We have another drug combination also entering clinical trials. Dr Simpkins strongly supports the career development of postdoctoral fellows, either to develop an independent laboratory in academia or to find a position in industry. We provide a rich multidisciplinary training environment in animal modelling, molecular biology, genomics, cancer biology and immunology, and we have sufficient funding from various sources, including NIH funding, to support this. Previous trainees have been awarded several grants including NIH career development K12 grant, OCRA early career grant, AACR fellowship, Rivkin award, OCRA mentored award, FWC grant, KOH grant and Harrison award.
Available Subjects:
- cell and molecular biology
Eligibility criteria:
- Candidates are required to hold a PhD, or MD, or both. Expertise in cell and molecular biology is required and experience in DNA damage will be viewed favorably. The candidate must have excellent written and oral communication skills. A high level of participation in a collaborative team setting is required, with a high level of self-motivation, excellent organization and time management skills, ability to demonstrate creativity and sound judgment. Exemplary interpersonal and communication skills are preferred as the candidate is expected to work closely with bioinformatic collaborators. Further information about our lab can be found at https://www.med.upenn.edu/apps/faculty/index.php/g275/p8676551, OR https://www.med.upenn.edu/simpkins/
- In addition to above, the post-doc responsibilities include carrying out his/her own projects with some independence and timely submission of results for publication. The post-doc must demonstrate the ability to analyze data, present data, and write manuscripts for submission. The post-doc will serve as a lead on his/her own projects. The post-doc will be responsible to research relevant published literature relating to his/her project and present his/her research findings at national scientific conferences. The post-doc must be able to effectively collaborate with colleagues outside of the laboratory (including industry) as it relates to their projects.
Application Procedure:
- . Interested applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, and 3 reference letters to Haineng Xu at haineng@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.