Ocular Oncology

Program Overview

The University of Liverpool's Ocular Oncology PhD/MPhil/MD program offers an immersive exploration of ocular cancers, combining genetics, histopathology, and tissue culture studies. Its focus on translating research into patient care and its multidisciplinary approach prepare graduates for careers in research, clinical practice, and teaching.

Program Outline

The program emphasizes translating research findings into patient care, leveraging a multidisciplinary team for prognostication and treatment.

Objectives:

• Gain in-depth knowledge of the genetics, histopathology, and tissue culture of ocular cancers.
• Develop skills in translating research findings into clinical practice.
• Contribute to the advancement of ocular oncology through research and clinical practice.

Teaching:

• The program is taught by a team of experts in ocular oncology, including Professor Sarah Coupland, a Consultant Histopathologist and the George Holt Chair of Pathology at the University of Liverpool.
• Students have access to a wide range of resources and facilities, including the University of Liverpool Cancer Research Centre (ULCRC) building.
• Students can take taught modules, either formally with exams or less formally, to enhance their skills in areas like bioinformatics and statistics.

Careers:

• The program prepares graduates for careers in research, clinical practice, and teaching.
• Graduates may find employment in hospitals, universities, and research institutions.
• The program also provides a strong foundation for further study, such as a postdoctoral fellowship.

Other:

• The University of Liverpool has invested over £20 million in cancer research, leading to the creation of several new posts in the Department and the establishment of the ULCRC building.
• The program is open to international applicants and can be studied full-time or part-time.
• The program is part of the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB) within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.
• The program is supported by the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Research Group (LOORG).
• The program's research themes include uveal melanoma, conjunctival melanoma, intraocular and ocular adnexal lymphomas, and CNS lymphoma.
• The program's research interests include the role of tumor stem cells in uveal melanoma development and progression, identification of regulators of metastasis, molecular characteristics of metastatic liver lesions in uveal melanoma, comparative digital transcriptional profiling of canine and human uveal melanomas, proteomic discovery of serum biomarkers in metastatic UM, the role of a novel inhibitory isoform of VEGF in ocular melanoma, conjunctival melanoma: a multicentre study correlating baseline features with histology and genetics, gross chromosomal abnormalities in iris melanoma, and estimating survival prognosis after treatment of choroidal melanoma.
• The program offers a variety of further development opportunities through the PGR Development Hub.
• The program provides access to world-class facilities and expertise through the Shared Research Facilities.

| Fee Status | Full Time | Part Time | |---|---|---| | UK students | £4,786 | £2,393 | | Faculty of Health and Life Sciences | £29,750 (Band A)^ | £14,900 (Band A)^ | | Faculty of Science and Engineering | £29,750 (Band A)^ or £23,400 (Band B) | £14,900 (Band A)^ or £11,700 (Band B) | | Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences | £23,400 (Band B) | £11,700 (Band B) |

Additional notes:

• The fees stated in the table above exclude potential research support fees also known as ‘bench fees’.
You will be notified of any fee which may apply in your offer letter.
• Please note that if you are undertaking a PhD within the Faculty of Science and Engineering the fee you pay, Band A or Band B, will reflect the nature of your research project.
Some research projects incur a higher fee than others e.g. if you are required to undertake laboratory work. You will be informed of the fee for your programme in your offer letter.
• ^ Self-funded, full-time international students studying a PhD programme classified as Band A will receive a £2,000 reduction in their fees for the first year only.