The University of Wisconsin Bentson Translational Research Fellowship supports highly motivated and well-qualified individuals seeking careers in translational cancer research as they navigate the challenging transition from trainee to independent faculty investigator. With dedicated mentorship, the Bentson Fellowship supports the future career contributions of some of our most promising and innovative cancer researchers. By providing protected research time, formal mentorship, individualized career planning, grant and manuscript writing experience and networking and recognition opportunities at national research meetings, we prepare each Bentson Fellow to compete for and succeed in the highest-level faculty positions at major academic cancer centers.
Current Bentson Fellows
“The Bentson Translational Research Fellowship is the perfect opportunity if you are on the path to becoming a physician-scientist and have dedicated your career to basic science research but feel you need more time to establish yourself in the field. Starting your own lab is a monumental task with a high possibility of failure. This fellowship exists to better prepare you for independence and aims to ensure your success. It is a unique opportunity that I am extremely grateful for.”
–Pippa Cosper, MD, PhD, current Bentson Translational Research Fellow
Eligibility: Candidates must have completed their MD, PhD or combined MD/PhD degree to apply for a position as a UW Bentson Translational Research Fellow.
Clinical Research Fellows: Bentson Clinical Research Fellows will function primarily in the clinical and translational research settings. They will have direct involvement in many or all of the following activities, all under the supervision of UW faculty mentors:
- multidisciplinary Tumor Boards and Oncology Grand Rounds
- formal coursework in research ethics, biostats, clinical trial design
- evaluation and design of treatment strategies for new cancer patients
- management of cancer patients during and following cancer treatment course
- speaking in clinical research seminar settings
- design and writing of new clinical treatment protocols for cancer patients
- clinical data mining and analysis of results from cancer patient treatments
- manuscript preparation summarizing clinical research study results
- scientific writing and grant writing workshops
- preparation of six-month progress reports summarizing productivity
Laboratory Research Fellows: Bentson Laboratory Research Fellows will function primarily in laboratory and translational research settings. They will have direct involvement in many or all of the following activities, all under the supervision of UW faculty mentors.
- cancer research seminar series and lab meetings
- formal coursework in research ethics, biostats, research design
- basic cancer research studies in the laboratory setting
- design, execution and analysis of laboratory experimental work
- advancement of new laboratory assays and techniques for cancer research
- design and writing of grant applications for cancer research funding
- speaking in laboratory research seminar settings
- manuscript preparation summarizing laboratory research study results
- scientific writing and grant writing workshops
- preparation of six-month progress reports summarizing productivity
The University of Wisconsin Bentson Translational Research Fellowship is funded by the Bentson Foundation, enabling the Department of Human Oncology to train promising early-career cancer physicians and scientists and thereby foster significant advances in cancer research and clinical care for future generations.