CMSRU launches New Jersey’s only PhD in cancer cell biology & genomics

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) has launched the PhD in Cancer Cell Biology & Genomics (CCBG), a new doctoral program designed to train the next generation of cancer researchers and accelerate discovery in one of medicine’s most urgent fields.

The program — the only cancer biology PhD program in New Jersey — provides interdisciplinary training in cancer cell biology, genomics, and bioinformatics while connecting students to Camden’s growing biomedical research ecosystem.

Conceived and academically housed at CMSRU, the program leverages the tripartite partnership comprising the Camden Cancer Research Center (CCRC),which includes CMSRU, Coriell Institute for Medical Research, and Cooper University Health Care, creating a collaborative environment where scientists and clinicians work together to move discoveries from the laboratory to patient care.

“The launch of this program marks an important milestone for Cooper Medical School of Rowan University as our first graduate program housed here in Camden,” said Annette C. Reboli, MD, dean of CMSRU. “CMSRU was founded with a commitment to advancing health and scientific discovery in our community, and establishing a PhD program in cancer biology and genomics strengthens our ability to fulfill that mission while educating the next generation of researchers whose work will directly impact patient care.”

“This is a transformational moment for cancer research in Camden,” said Darren Boehning, PhD, professor and head of Biomedical Sciences at CMSRU and director of the program. “Launching the PhD in Cancer Cell Biology & Genomics expands opportunities for discovery, collaboration, and training across the Camden Cancer Research Center. Our goal is to equip students with the tools and mentorship needed to tackle the most urgent questions in cancer and translate laboratory discoveries into better treatments.”

Program at a Glance

• Academic home: Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, with research space at Camden’s Joint Health Sciences Center, Cooper University Health Care, and Coriell, with administrative support from CMSRU and the Camden Cancer Research Center.
• Distinctive training: Students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies including CRISPR gene editing, single-cell omics, mechanobiology, high-throughput screening, and bioinformatics.
• Integrated research ecosystem: Students benefit from co-mentoring and collaborative research opportunities with investigators from the Coriell Institute and MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper through the Camden Cancer Research Center.
• Only in New Jersey: The program is the state’s only PhD dedicated specifically to cancer biology.
• Funding and support: Students are supported through PI-funded tuition and benefits, with a competitive initial stipend of $38,000 per year.

Interdisciplinary Curriculum and Research Training

During the first two years of the program, students complete core coursework in cancer biology, genomics, statistics, and bioinformatics while participating in laboratory rotations, journal clubs, and training in scientific writing and grantsmanship. After completing qualifying exams and presenting a dissertation proposal, students transition to full-time dissertation research.

Advanced electives and workshops allow students to explore specialized topics such as cancer immunology, mechanobiology in cancer, drug design, machine learning for biomedical research, and computational genomics.

The program is designed to also eventually accommodate MD/PhD students, integrating medical education with advanced biomedical research through flexible training timelines and clinical research mentorship teams.

Expanding Cancer Research in Camden

The new doctoral program further strengthens Camden’s role as a center for biomedical research and innovation. By expanding CMSRU’s graduate training and research capacity in high-impact cancer fields, the program also supports Rowan University’s broader goal of achieving Carnegie R1 research status, which reflects the highest level of research activity among U.S. universities.

Initial cohorts are expected to include three to five students per year, with graduates prepared for careers in academia, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research, bioinformatics, and clinical research.

Doctoral students will perform research with CMSRU and partner investigators whose expertise spans tumor signaling, genomics, metastasis, immuno-oncology, drug resistance, nanomedicine, and AI-enabled cancer data science, creating opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across Camden’s health sciences community.

Learn More

Prospective students and research advisors can email CCBGadmissions@rowan.edu for additional information, including application timelines.

About Cooper Medical School of Rowan University

Cooper Medical School of Rowan University (CMSRU) is an innovative, mission-driven medical school in Camden, New Jersey, dedicated to excellence in education, research, and patient care through partnerships that advance health in our community and beyond.

About the Camden Cancer Research Center

The Camden Cancer Research Center unites faculty and clinicians across CMSRU, Cooper University Health Care, and the Coriell Institute to accelerate discovery and translation in oncology.