The Division of Surgical Oncology at the University of Louisville enjoys a rich history of productive research. Many important discoveries and advances have been made by our faculty and staff, and the surgical oncology fellows participation in this important work is paramount.

The faculty of the Division of Surgical Oncology participate in both basic science and clinical research projects. The laboratories of the Division are involved in adenoviral gene transfer, steroid receptors and thyroid cancer, models of esophageal carcinogenesis, and pancreatic cancer research.

It is the intention of the fellowship that each fellow will publish at a minimum of one manuscript during their tenure with the Division of Surgical Oncology. The reality is, however, that the fellows are much more prolific than that, and writing book chapters, presenting their data at major meetings, and publishing multiple manuscripts in important journals is the norm.

Each fellow spends 6 months conducting basic science research at the beginning of the fellowship. Upon completion of the fellowship, fellows will have the tools necessary to become an accomplished surgical investigator. In addition, at the beginning of the fellowship the fellow will be enrolled in the CREST program. A School of Public Health and Information Sciences at the University of Louisville sponsors a Clinical Research, Epidemiology and Statistics Training (CREST) Program. This two-tiered program consists of a Masters (MSc) degree in Epidemiology-Clinical Investigation Sciences.

The MSc degree program is designed to provide the fellow an opportunity to acquire the clinical research skills essential for a career in an academic health center. The CREST curriculum integrates biostatistical and epidemiologic methods in a problem-based learning format with additional instruction in bioethics, health economics, health services, outcomes research, and social and behavioral sciences. The fellow will take additional didactic courses while they engage in mentored and independent research with a faculty member of the Division of Surgical Oncology that culminates in the preparation published manuscripts.