On behalf of the Department of Oncology at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, we are delighted to extend a warm invitation for you to join our Oncology Research Fellow program. We offer an exceptional and high-level environment for outstanding medical talents, where you will receive advanced training in the fields of lung cancer, gastrointestinal tumors, and liver cancer.
Here, you will collaborate with a team of top-tier experts, gradually assuming more responsibilities as you gain experience, enhance your skills, and demonstrate academic excellence. You will gain in-depth knowledge and mastery of the multidisciplinary management of gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic cancers, while accumulating invaluable clinical experience and making significant strides in research. This will provide a solid foundation for a successful academic career in oncology.
From the moment you join our institution, you will experience our unique approach to care. We firmly believe that the needs of the patient are at the heart of everything we do. This philosophy unites every healthcare professional, scientist, student, and researcher at our hospital, all of us working together to bring hope and treatment to the world—one patient at a time.
We are deeply interested in your background and aspirations, and we are committed to providing you with a platform for development, helping you achieve your academic goals and make a meaningful impact in the field of oncology. We warmly welcome you to join us and look forward to collaborating with you in advancing both research and clinical care in cancer treatment.
1. Under the guidance of our expert oncologists, you will have the opportunity to learn and actively participate in the treatment of common cancers (such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy), as well as complex comprehensive treatment plans. This includes multidisciplinary collaboration and the development and implementation of personalized treatment strategies.
2. You will directly engage with esteemed faculty members in the field of oncology, who not only provide expert care to patients in clinical practice but also dedicate themselves to teaching and advancing oncology knowledge. Our faculty members are highly regarded internationally, publishing numerous high-level academic papers each year and actively participating in major global academic conferences.
3. You will participate daily in multidisciplinary consultations and treatment discussions, working closely with senior oncologists to review patient cases, develop and adjust treatment plans, and engage in enriching teaching and case analysis.
4. We offer outstanding research opportunities, particularly in the areas of early cancer diagnosis, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. You will have the chance to participate in cutting-edge clinical research and trials.
5.You will have ample opportunities for learning and hands-on practice in palliative care, gaining a deep understanding of how to provide compassionate care and emotional support to patients with advanced cancer, while also enhancing your awareness of humanistic care in clinical decision-making.
Our program is designed to provide comprehensive and in-depth training in the field of medical oncology, helping participants excel in various areas including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy, combined treatments, and palliative care. Through hands-on experience in outpatient care, inpatient management, and complex therapeutic procedures, participants will not only master core skills in oncology treatment but also gain significant advancements in both clinical practice and academic research.
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from top experts in the field of medical oncology, gaining valuable insights into the latest clinical research and cutting-edge treatment approaches. These researchers, with their strong backgrounds in oncology, translational medicine, and basic research, will offer participants multi-dimensional knowledge that deepens their understanding of multi-faceted and precision-based cancer therapies.
Our program is tailored to provide dedicated research time and resources, supporting participants in independently carrying out and implementing research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. This fosters innovative thinking and the development of independent research skills. These projects not only focus on clinical practice but also integrate the most advanced technologies and theories in oncology, providing participants with abundant learning opportunities and challenges, while encouraging them to continually push the boundaries of their expertise.
Furthermore, our program places a strong emphasis on multidisciplinary collaboration and integrated treatment. Participants will have the chance to work with experts from various fields, learning how to manage complex cases, design the most appropriate treatment plans, and provide compassionate end-of-life care. Through these practical experiences, participants will enhance their clinical thinking, technical skills, and communication abilities, laying a solid foundation for becoming future leaders in the field of oncology.
We offer not only the transfer of knowledge but also a comprehensive platform for professional growth, helping participants accumulate valuable experience in clinical practice, scientific innovation, and patient management. This will enable them to embark on a rewarding medical career full of challenges and achievements.
The program offers a full-time training experience ranging from 2 weeks to 6 months. In certain cases, alternative training durations can be arranged to better suit your specific needs and interests.
• Fellows: Qualified applicants for the Medical Oncology Fellowship must have completed an internal medicine residency program at an accredited institution.
• Residents: To qualify for the Medical Oncology residency, applicants must have successfully completed a board-certified internal medicine residency program. This program may be completed through the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education or any other accredited institution.
• Students:
1. Must be a final-year medical student when you are scheduled to participate in the rotation. This means all your core / required clerkship rotations are complete at the time of the clinical elective.
2. Medical School Approval - Letter of good standing from the dean’s office of your medical school indicating you are in the final year with your expected graduation date, in good academic standing and meet all requirements to complete an elective for academic credit.
Focus Areas & Subspecialties:
• Lung Cancer
• Esophageal Cancer
• Gastric Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Bile Duct Cancer
• Colon Cancer
• Ovarian Cancer
• Soft Tissue Sarcoma
• Kidney Cancer
• Penile Cancer
• Bladder Cancer
• Breast Cancer
• Chemotherapy (Adjuvant treatment for various cancers)
• Radiotherapy (including external beam radiation therapy and internal radiation therapy)
• Immunotherapy (including immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapy, etc.)
• Targeted Therapy (such as EGFR inhibitors, HER2-targeted therapy, etc.)
• Genetic Testing (including tumor genome analysis and liquid biopsy)
• Multidisciplinary Comprehensive Treatment (including the combined use of chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy)
Skills:
• Abdominal Puncture (for ascitic fluid extraction or diagnosis)
• Lumbar Puncture (for cerebrospinal fluid sampling or drug injection)
• Thoracentesis (for pleural fluid extraction or diagnosis)
• Bone Marrow Aspiration (for bone marrow examination or drug injection)
• Nasogastric Tube Insertion (for gastric decompression or nutritional support)
Monday
Week 1: Introduction and Welcome, Program Overview and Objectives, Department Introduction
Focus Areas: Lung Cancer, Esophageal Cancer, Gastric Cancer, Pancreatic Cancer
Weekly: Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meetings, Complex Tumor Case Discussions
Focus: Development and evaluation of comprehensive treatment plans, integrating chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy
Weekly: One-on-one Mentorship Sessions
Topics:
a. Tumor Genomic Testing: Tumor Genome Analysis and Liquid Biopsy
b. Radiotherapy: External Beam Radiation Therapy and Brachytherapy Techniques
c. Tumor Immunotherapy: Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and CAR-T Cell Therapy
Tuesday
Weekly: Outpatient Observation, Tumor Treatment Plan Discussion and Implementation
Focus Areas: Colorectal Cancer, Ovarian Cancer, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Renal Cancer
Biweekly: Research and Academic Lectures
Topics:
a. Early Detection of Cancer and Genetic Epidemiology
b. Targeted Therapy for Lung Cancer and Esophageal Cancer
c. Chemotherapy: Adjuvant Treatment and Combination Therapy for Various Cancers
Weekly: Clinical Skills Training
Focus Skills:
a. Paracentesis (for abdominal fluid drainage or diagnosis)
b. Lumbar Puncture (for cerebrospinal fluid sampling or medication injection)
Wednesday
Weekly: Clinical Rounds, Management of Transplant Patients, and Comprehensive Tumor Treatment Plan Discussions
Biweekly: Simulated Surgery and Tumor Treatment Operation Training
Focus Skills: Thoracentesis (for pleural fluid drainage or diagnosis)
Weekly: Oncology Specialty Lectures
Topics:
a. Diagnosis and Treatment of Pancreatic Cancer and Cholangiocarcinoma
b. Immunotherapy in Malignant Tumors: Applications and Latest Advances
c. Targeted Therapy: EGFR Inhibitors and HER2 Targeted Therapy
Thursday
Weekly: Clinical Skills Training
Focus Skills:
a. Bone Marrow Aspiration (for bone marrow examination or medication injection)
b. Nasogastric Tube Insertion (for gastric decompression or nutritional support)
Biweekly: Clinical Simulation Training: Clinical Operations and Treatment Plan Implementation for Different Types of Cancer
Weekly: MDT (Multidisciplinary Team) Discussions
Topics:
a. Multidisciplinary Treatment for Lung and Gastric Cancer
b. Personalized Targeted and Immunotherapy Plans for Various Cancers
Friday
Weekly: Journal Club and Clinical Rounds
Focus Areas: Bladder Cancer, Penile Cancer: Latest Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment
Biweekly: Clinical Skills Practice and Specialized Training
Topics:
a. Personalized Management of Cancer Treatment Plans
b. Clinical Applications and Risk Assessment of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors
c. Diagnosis and Treatment of Soft Tissue Sarcoma: Clinical Challenges
Final Week: Summary and Reflection, Learner Presentations or Key Takeaways, Feedback Session
Focus: Development and evaluation of comprehensive treatment plans, continuous monitoring and adjustment of treatment outcomes
Note:
This training program aims to enhance the participants’ comprehensive knowledge and skills in oncology, particularly in multidisciplinary treatment and cutting-edge fields such as tumor immunotherapy and targeted therapy. Additionally, through systematic clinical skills training, participants will acquire proficiency in common supportive procedures in cancer treatment, preparing them for practical clinical work.
After each rotation, faculty members in the oncology department will evaluate each fellow based on core competencies, including patient care, medical knowledge, practice-based learning and improvement, interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and system-based practice. Faculty will provide individual feedback and evaluations through one-on-one meetings, discussing the fellow’s performance in clinical decision-making and patient management. In terms of technical skills, fellows' competencies in oncology procedures will be assessed through specifically designed evaluation forms, simulator training sessions, and regular skills assessments. On a monthly basis, the oncology clinical competency committee will conduct a comprehensive review of each fellow's clinical progress, with a focus on their performance in multidisciplinary team collaboration, development of personalized treatment plans, and the application of the latest cancer treatment techniques.
Director of the Oncology Fellowship Program, Head of the Department
Dr. Jianzhen Shan is particularly focused on the comprehensive oncological treatment of lung cancer, hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers, and colorectal cancer, as well as the multidisciplinary management of diseases affecting these organs. Her additional training in lung cancer provides a unique foundation for her clinical practice.
Deputy Director of Oncology and Director of Research
Dr. Guoliang Qiao's research focuses on the tumor immunology of pancreatic cancer, investigating the interaction between pancreatic cancer tumors and host immune responses, as well as its applications.
Dr. Zhen Liu's research focuses on the comprehensive oncological treatment and multidisciplinary management of lung and gastric cancers. He has unique insights into the clinical practice of gastric cancer.
The program is free of charge.