This week 13 H-SC students are wrapping up their May Term Biology of Cancer course.  Taught by Dr. Kristian Hargadon, this course is designed for non-biology majors (though Bio majors are certainly encouraged to enroll as well) and covers a wide array of topics that include the fundamental genetic basis of cancer, the cell cycle, the progression of a single tumor cell into a malignant cancer, the causes of cancer, immunity to cancer, cancer screening and treatments, and cancer prevention strategies.  Emphasis is placed not only on the “science” of these topics but also on the social and economic aspects of this disease that must be considered by cancer patients and their families.  Additionally, current and emerging cancer research approaches were highlighted by Dr. Hargadon, who specializes in tumor immunology research, as well as by guest lecturer Rebecca Obeng, a former colleague of Dr. Hargadon’s who is currently in the MD/PhD program at the University of Virginia.  Finally, during the last two class periods of this May Term course, students gave oral presentations on particular cancer types they had chosen to research.  While Dr. Hargadon covered many cancer types in class, this project gave students the opportunity to explore additional cancer types that were not covered but that were of particular interest to them (see pictures below).  The presentations were a huge success, as was the class as a whole, and Dr. Hargadon looks forward to teaching this course again next summer!

Patrick Kearney presenting on Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia

Robert Chambers presenting on Thyroid Cancer