Organized by the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS), the program consists of approximately 50 hours of didactic lecture and interactive programming. Trainees will participate in two-hour class sessions each week for six months, beginning in January, as well as present their research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham campus in April.
Haastrup, who is in the graduate program’s molecular, cell and cancer biology track, is studying the role of a mitochondrial protein in pancreatic cancer. She is conducting her dissertation research under Ajay Singh, Ph.D., professor of pathology and leader of the cancer biology program at the USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, and Santanu Dasgupta, Ph.D., assistant professor of pathology and a cancer researcher at the MCI.
Originally from Oyo State in southwestern Nigeria, Haastrup earned her medical degree from Lugansk State Medical University in Ukraine. She said she decided to pursue a Ph.D. to better understand the pathological basis of chronic diseases, especially cancer.
After earning her doctorate, Haastrup intends to work as a clinical researcher “to integrate my knowledge as a physician and biomedical scientist in formulating better clinical research questions and execute clinical research projects, thereby bringing about novel discoveries that would be beneficial to patients and contribute to the advancement of science,” she said.
Specialized training in clinical and translational research will prepare her to achieve this goal. “Participating in the CTSTP will equip me with critical knowledge about clinical trials, ethics and outcomes research, ultimately potentiating my transition into an excellent clinical researcher,” she said.
The Center for Clinical and Translational Science was established in 2008 and is funded by a Clinical and Translational Science Award from the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences. The CCTS Partner Network comprises 11 academic research institutions across Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.
