About OOA
A is a large research school dedicated to PhD students working in the field of Oncology. Our graduate school was formally accredited by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1993, 1998, 2003 and most recently for the period 2009-2014. The scientific output remained very high with more than 1.200 articles registered in Pubmed in 2009.
On average 55 new students start their PhD research in one of the three participating institutes every year. Most students have completed a Master of Science, mostly in Biomedical Sciences, Biomolecular Sciences, Chemistry, Medicine or Oncology. More than 320 students are currently working toward their PhD degree. The future perspectives of the graduated OOA PhD students are excellent. Most of the PhD students work at positions in agreement with their level of training.
The research programme ranges from basic molecular biology of the cell to clinical bed-side research; from fundamental studies on cellular signal transduction pathways and the control of gene expression to new clinical trials in immunotherapy and the development of new methods to improve quality of life of cancer patients.
The wide range of biological approaches employed and the close collaboration between different scientific disciplines in the school creates a stimulating atmosphere that attracts an increasing number of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. Research discussions and teaching are in English. This allows OOA to attract foreign students, post-docs and staff. Foreign students can use their research conducted in the school to qualify for a doctorate degree in their country of origin.
The main part of the OOA teaching program consists of an annual retreat, specialized courses that cover specific topics in the field of oncology, and meetings with international experts. Students make a selection out of these courses, in compliance with their interest and research background. The educational programme is flexible and focussed on cutting edge scientific topics, covering functional genomics to animal models of cancer and from protein structure to invasion and metastasis. Courses last from several days up to one or two weeks.
OOA is organised in three institutes: NKI and medical faculties VUmc and AMC of VU and UvA, respectively. The OOA management team comprises the supervisory board and executive directory. The central coordinating office is situated at VUmc.
OOA BOARD
VUmc:
- prof. dr. Chris J.L.M. Meijer
- prof. dr. Piet Postmus
NKI:
- prof. dr. Anton Berns, chairman
- prof. dr. Sjoerd Rodenhuis
AMC:
- prof.dr. Caro E.E. Konings
- prof.dr. Dick .J. Richel
EXECUTIVE DIRECTORY
VUmc:
- prof. dr. Arjan Griffioen, chairman
NKI:
- prof. dr. Titia K. Sixma
AMC:
- prof. dr. Marcel Spaargaren
COORDINATION
VUmc:
- dr. Esther M. Ruhé-Hoogervorst (central coordination)
NKI:
- mw. Patty Lagerweij
STUDENT COUNCELOR
Student counsellors are available to PhD students at each of the three participating. Please see the counsellor at your own institute for more information.
