Cancer Research Scholar Digital Badge

The primary goal of cancer research is to further the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and management of different forms of cancer. The Hollings Cancer Research Scholar badge demonstrates that a student has established a strong foundation in cancer research and is prepared for a successful career in various cancer-related fields.

Requirements

To earn a Cancer Research Scholar badge, students must complete:

4 credits from a collection of approved cancer-related courses

Students must earn at least a 3.0 in each course for it to count toward the 4-credit requirement. Approved courses include:

• CGS-790 Fundamentals of Cancer Biology (2 credits)
• CGS-743 Cancer Cell Signaling (1 credit)
• CGS-TBD Cancer-Host Interactions (1 credit)
• BMB-TBD Genomic Instability and Cancer (1 credit)
• BDSI-711 Precision Medicine Informatic (3 credits)
• BMTRY-734 Cancer Epidemiology (3 credits)

2 semesters of participation in the Hollings Distinguished Lecture Series and Journal Club Series course

Students must register for the course (CGS-TBD) and attend at least 75% of the lectures and 75% of the journal club meetings each semester to receive course credit.

• Hollings Distinguished Lecture Series schedule

1 poster or oral presentation at a Hollings-sponsored retreat or symposium

Students must register and present a poster or talk at a center-wide or research program retreat or at the LOWVELO Trainee Symposium. Other venues for presentations may be approved on a case-by-case basis.

• LOWVELO Trainee Symposium

1 community outreach and engagement activity from an approved list of opportunities

Students must participate in an approved community outreach and engagement activity. Other opportunities for service may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Approved activities include:

• ACS Hope Lodge: Tour and Meal Preparation
  

  The American Cancer Society (ACS) Hope Lodge provides a free home away from home for cancer patients and their caregivers. The Hope Lodge community offers a supportive, homelike environment where guests can share a meal, join in the evening's activities, or unwind in their own private room.

  Students will be led on a tour of the Hope Lodge at the Charleston location (269 Calhoun Street) to understand its services, its history as the first Hope Lodge in the United States, and its special relationship with Hollings Cancer Center. Students will also work with a small group of other students and faculty to prepare a meal for Hope Lodge residents.

  Please contact Dr. Denis Guttridge (guttridg@musc.edu) for more information. Commitment: ~3 hours.

• Mobile Vaccination Unit: Setup and Education
  

  Hollings Cancer Center's Mobile Vaccination Unit travels the state with a human papillomavirus (HPV) health educator and nurse, offering HPV and other vaccines to children and young adults. The HPV vaccine helps to prevent six cancer types that are caused by HPV.

  Students will meet the unit at an event location to help set up displays and share information and brochures about HPV and vaccination. Students may volunteer individually or as a group (maximum of 3).

  Please contact Melanie Slan (slan@musc.edu) for more information. Commitment: ~3 hours.

• South Carolina State University: Cancer Course Lecture
  

  Hollings Cancer Center offers a semester course taught to undergraduates at South Carolina State University (SCSU) titled, "Current Scientific and Clinical Advancements in Cancer." The course is instructed by trainees whose research is aligned with Hollings' Transdisciplinary Cancer Teams (TCTs).

  Graduate students interested in this COE activity will travel to SCSU and give a classroom lecture relevant to a cancer type within the TCTs, which currently includes: breast, colon/colorectal, gynecologic oncology, head and neck, lung, malignant hematology, pancreas, and prostate. Prerequisite: Students are required to have joined a TCT for at least one year.

  Please contact Dr. Denis Guttridge (guttridg@musc.edu) for more information. Commitment: ~6 hours.

Contact Information

Program Director

David Long, Ph.D.
longdt@musc.edu

Program Coordinator

Destiny Harley, MHA, MBA
harledes@musc.edu