Clinical and Translational Oncology (CTO)
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL ONCOLOGY (CTO)
The Ph.D. in Clinical and Translational Oncology is proposed as a highly innovative training platform devoted to excellence in the field of therapeutic and translational research in Oncology, based on the principle of maximum synergy between University Institutions, research institutions and the pharmaceutical industry in the field of oncology, oriented to foster the internationalization of doctoral students. It concludes with the discussion of a thesis based on original and independent scientific work.
The goal is to form an international research and training hub capable of attracting the best students from Italy and abroad, eager to pursue a highly specialized course of study in the field of therapeutic development in Oncology and to represent future oncology leadership in academia and industry in the coming decades. Therefore, the course is intended for students holding a single-cycle master’s degree in Medicine (LM-41) or Pharmacy and Industrial Pharmacy (LM-13), or Biology (LM-6) or Medical, Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology (LM-9). Possession of an English Language Learning Certificate, at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), is also required.
The course will enable participants to further develop their ‘skills’ in cutting-edge oncology research, with a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach, in a context of international research and close collaboration with industry in the field.
To enhance the educational and internationalization aspect of the doctoral program, it is mandatory for each doctoral student to spend a period of study/research of up to 18 months (even divided into several quarters or semesters) at foreign universities and research institutions.
Dr. Michelino De Laurentiis
Research director at IRCCS Fodanzione Pascale National Cancer Institute
m.delaurentiis@ssmeridionale.it
ARPINO Grace
University of Naples Federico II
CARLOMAGNO Chiara
University of Naples Federico II
CAUSE Philip
University of Naples Federico II
CONSON Manuel
University of Naples Federico II
DE LAURENTIIS Michelino
University of Naples Federico II
DELLA CORTE Carminia Maria
Luigi Vanvitelli University
FILIPPELLI Amelia
University of Salerno
FORMISANO Luigi
University of Naples Federico II
FRANCO Renato
Luigi Vanvitelli University
GIULIANO Mario
University of Naples Federico II
MALAPELLE Umberto
University of Naples Federico II
NETTI Paul Anthony
University of Naples Federico II
PAOLISSO Joseph
Luigi Vanvitelli University
PENTIMALLI Francesca
LUM “Giuseppe Degennaro”
The research activity is carried out by each Ph.D. student under the supervision of a Thesis Director/Tutor chosen from among the members of the faculty upon admission to the Ph.D. program.
The thesis director/tutor (or supervisor) will be a member of the college and may be supported by a faculty member or a
researcher from another Italian or foreign university or research center that will host the doctoral student at the
own institution in order to enable it to carry out the proposed research program.
Thesis Directors/Tutors are required to declare, in the annual report submitted to the Coordinator, data on the training and research activities of each doctoral student.
The annual report on the activities carried out by each doctoral student will be evaluated by the faculty at the
in order to decree their eligibility for advancement to the next year.
At the end of the first year, the doctoral student, under the guidance of the mentor, will produce a report in which he or she will be
described the research project including a work plan, broken down by annual sub-objectives
(Probationary) who will also discuss in a plenary session with the faculty, with support from
A PPT presentation.
The doctoral student should present his or her research project, putting in
Highlights innovative aspects compared with the relevant literature, highlighting scientific objectives
and the methodological aspects it intends to pursue, demonstrating autonomy and critical ability in the theoretical and practical aspects inherent in the project proposal.
During the plenary session, the faculty, in addition to assessing the theoretical-practical skills
acquired by the doctoral student, he or she can contribute to the outlining of project lines in order to improve
the student’s training profile or help him or her plan possible coping strategies for
Any critical issues inherent in the project proposal.
The transition from first to second year, second to third year, and third to fourth year will take place,
After acquiring the prescribed training credits for each year, based on the evaluation by the
of Thesis Directors/Tutors of the progress of the research project and based on the analysis of the
Annual activity report prepared by the mentor.
The year-pass examination will consist of an oral presentation and discussion of the progress of the research project, which the doctoral student will give in a plenary session to the faculty.
The doctoral thesis is written in English.
Admission to the Doctoral Dissertation session is on the condition that the work presented in the dissertation paper, together with the report on the activities carried out during the doctoral course and publications, if any, has received positive evaluation by two Professors/reviewers from outside the college
Of faculty members, who are not members of the doctoral degree-granting institution. Evaluators can belong to
To foreign or international institutions. Within thirty days of receipt of the thesis, the evaluators shall express
a written analytical judgment, proposing admission to public discussion or postponement of the
thesis discussion for a period not exceeding six months. After this period has elapsed, the thesis, accompanied by
by a new written opinion rendered by the evaluators, it is in any case admitted for discussion.
The discussion is held publicly before a committee, appointed in the manner established in the doctoral regulations, respecting, where possible, gender balance. In any case, at least two-thirds of the committee is composed of individuals not belonging to the administrative headquarters of the course and no more than one-third of members belonging to the subjects participating in the doctoral program.
At the end of the discussion, the committee gives a written and reasoned judgment on the thesis, and, when it unanimously recognizes its special scientific importance, may award honors.
Educational activities carried out by doctoral students at one or more locations are certified by an attached document
To the final diploma (diploma supplement).
The doctoral program will be four years in length, and will be divided into two core curricula:
1. Therapeutic Development, mainly oriented toward innovative therapeutic development;
2. Translational Research, mainly oriented towards biomarker research and precision ‘Oncology’.
During the course of training, the doctoral student must acquire at least 240 CFUs (1 CFU = 25 hours of study/research), as follows
apportioned:
– 60 CFU to be acquired through participation in frontal teaching activities, seminars and for activities of
presentation/tutoring.
– 180 CFUs to be acquired for research activities, thesis writing and publication of scientific articles.
Frontal teaching activities will be concentrated in the first three years of the course, while during the final year
only seminar activities are planned, as doctoral students will be engaged full-time in research activities and writing the dissertation paper.
For each doctoral cycle, faculty will organize basic, specialized and Complementary Skills courses in accordance with the multidisciplinary connotation of the doctoral course. Each course will include lectures
theoretical and practical lectures given by doctoral teachers and external lecturers chosen ad hoc on the basis of their
skills. At the end of the course, a final test/thesis is scheduled.
During the 4 years, doctoral students are expected to acquire the following CFUs in their educational, scientific course:
I year
-12 CFU Core courses (common to both curricula);
– 10 CFU Participation in specialized seminars and mentoring activities organized by the School or other academic and research institutions
-34 CFU Research Activities
-4 CFU Project presentation and research progress at the end of the year.
II year
-16 CFU Specialized courses that differ for the two curricula.
-10 CFU Participation in specialized seminars and mentoring activities organized by the School or other academic and research institutions
-30 CFU Research Activities
– 4 CFU Presentation of research project progress at the end of the year.
III year
-5 CFU Courses in Complementary Skills
-10 CFU Participation in specialized seminars and mentoring activities organized by the School or other university and research institutions.
-41 CFU Research Activities
-4 CFU Presentation of research project progress at the end of the year.
Year IV
10 CFU Guest Institute Seminars
30 CFU Research Activities
20 CFU Final Thesis
The following activities are managed in concert with other doctoral programs in the Southern High School
Language courses: courses in Italian language for foreigners, as well as English, French, German, Spanish are available at the University.
Computer skills: the School organizes short courses to train doctoral students in the critical use of digital resources, on major computer systems,
also of a specialized nature.
Management of research, knowledge of research systems and sources of funding: the School organizes training activities for in-depth study of how to manage research, including how to obtain funding. He also organizes meetings on drafting research projects with ERC, FIRB and Fellowship winners abroad.
Enhancement of research results and intellectual property: the School organizes activities for the in-depth study of the norms related to the enhancement and dissemination of scientific research, the protection of research results and authors, the protection of intellectual property, and the legislation related to patents in the national and international fields.
The course was created with the primary intent of developing the Academy-Industry partnership in this sensitive area. Specifically, partnerships will be governed by subsequent ad hoc agreements between the doctoral administrative office and international academic partners and industrial partners actively engaged in oncology research and development.
Course Duration: 4 years
Coordinator: Dr. Michelino De Laurentiis
Scholarships: 7 scholarships are provided for the 38th Cycle.
The annual amount of each scholarship is €19,000.
Extra funds are provided for all scholarships for research activities.
cto@ssmeridionale.it