Image courtesy Michael Oelze
In February, Carle Foundation Hospital and the Beckman
Institute for Advanced Science and Technology announced
an exciting new Fellows program that will provide a young
scientist with the opportunity to spend several years conducting
cancer-related translational research.
The Carle Foundation Hospital -
Beckman Institute Fellows Program is
intended for a recent Ph.D. who will
focus his or her research efforts on engineering
biological materials for molecular
imaging investigations of cancer.
Beckman Institute Director Pierre
Wiltzius said this is the first partnership
of its kind with Carle Foundation
Hospital.
"The development of this Fellows program
is another step toward a great
relationship with Carle Foundation
Hospital. A relationship that we hope
brings about tangible results in cancer-related
research." Wiltzius said.
The selected candidate will be
appointed for up to three years and will
interact with Beckman Institute faculty
as well as clinical mentors at the Carle
Foundation Hospital. During the term,
the Fellow will be allowed the opportunity
to fully focus on research. The Fellow
will be given access to state-of-the-art
facilities and will be provided with staff
support to aid their efforts.
"The Carle Foundation Hospital -
Beckman Institute Fellows won't have
to worry about teaching or administrative
responsibilities," Wiltzius said.
"This gives recent Ph.D.s the opportunity
to immerse themselves in their
research and jump-start research programs
that we hope yield advances in areas including non-invasive
cancer screening and detection."
The ability for the Fellow to have relationships with mentors
at Carle Foundation Hospital is also a great advantage of this
program.
"Collaboration between practicing
physicians and scientists is the key
to translational research.The only
way to develop new medical treatments
and diagnostic tools is by
close partnership between clinical
and research disciplines.The
ultimate goal is to improve
patient care."
- Suzanne Stratton, Vice President of Research
at Carle Foundation Hospital
The Carle Foundation Hospital -
Beckman Institute Fellows Program
will contribute to the Carle Foundation
Hospital accomplishing its goals of
enhancing relationships with
University of Illinois scientists,
advancing its translational research
program in the area of breast cancer
research, and providing an opportunity
for its medical staff to collaborate with
researchers in the search for breakthrough
discoveries that will improve
healthcare. The announcement of the
selected Fellow will be on Friday, May
16, 2008.