The Interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences PhD Program (ICSP), a first-of-its-kind doctoral program that offers graduate students the opportunity to experience the whole gamut of cancer research and care in a research intensive, patient-centric environment, has been launched by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (FMHS).
The program, which has been offered on an ad hoc basis for the past year and just welcomed its second cohort, received official government approval in July. ICSP students choose to specialize in one of the program’s four pillars – Biology; Therapeutics and Diagnostics; Etiology, Prevention and Prognosis; or Psychosocial Oncology – working with experienced Principal Investigators (PIs) from multiple FMHS departments.
The ICSP was created to address unmet needs in cancer sciences and offers an interdisciplinary response to the increasingly complex nature of cancer research and care, explains Graduate Program Director Josie Ursini-Siegel, PhD, Professor in the Gerald Bronfman Department of Oncology. “Cancer is too complex to solve by looking at only one piece of the puzzle. This program links the different pillars of research—studying cells, treating and supporting patients and their caregivers, and examining patterns across communities—so that students see how each part fits into the whole. It’s about breaking down silos and working together collaboratively across these various disciplines that will truly help people.”
By training students to work as part of interdisciplinary teams, she says, “they learn to appreciate the expertise of other professionals and get ready for the job market.” The program also offers opportunities for self-directed learning that reflects real life work environments. “We bring the students together to solve a simulated problem – they learn how to apply interdisciplinary problem solving they will experience in the real world,” adds Prof. Ursini-Siegel.
From their first year, students interact directly with patients through the Patient Mentorship Program, by which a patient partner is matched with each trainee. These partners expose students to the patient perspective – unique and invaluable for graduate students in cancer research – and offers periodic feedback to help the trainee learn to communicate their research effectively to non-experts and reflect on its broader impact.
The PIs, who come from a mix of basic science and clinical backgrounds, can also reap benefits from joining the program. “This is the only opportunity for many PIs working in cancer research at McGill to integrate their research with different PIs,” says Prof. Ursini-Siegel. “They can also bring in a different kind of trainee who wants to understand the big picture. These trainees come in with new ideas for future projects, which can help the PIs expand their own research programs.”
Prof. Ursini-Siegel invites PIs interested in joining the ICSP to reach out to Graduate Program Administrator Monica Toribio and also to encourage their learners seeking graduate programs for next year to consider the ICSP.
More information on the Interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences PhD Program: how to apply, PI profiles, program requirements and overview.
Upcoming application deadlines:
- December 1, 2025 (international applicants)
- February 1, 2026 (Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents)
