Cancer is one of the major health problems in our nation. In order to understand the complex processes involved in the eitology, pathogenesis, progression, and treatment of this group of diseases, we need investigators whose primary focus is cancer research. We have an obligation to train investigators who understand cancer biology, cancer genetics, the pathology of cancer and clinical ramifications. The graduate program in cancer biology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine is designed specifically to train a new generation of scientists whose focus is on the translation of basic science into the clinic in the areas of screening, risk assessment, prevention, imaging, and therapeutics.