You have reached the Web site for the Department of Pathology at the University of Colorado Denver.

Student Questionnaire:
1.    Why did you choose the UC Denver Cancer Biology Program?
Faculty research at UC Denver focuses on highly relevant, cutting-edge topics in translational cancer biology.

Many of the projects on campus have real-world applicability, and this is evident by the number of faculty

engaging with industry on discovery and development programs for various cancer indications. I was attracted to

this caliber of academic research and enjoyed the prospect of directly interacting with an NCI-designated

comprehensive cancer center on campus.
2.    What labs are you rotating in?
Dan Theodorescu, M.D. Ph.D.
3.    Please describe you project?
Thesis TBD, but I’m interested in the utilization of system dynamics analyses that go beyond conventional models

recapitulating single phenotypes. The goal is to use this approach for studying the complex tumor

microenvironment and the collective cues that give rise to malignant phenotypes in genitourinary cancers. This

approach has relevance towards the identification and validation of prognostic and predictive biomarkers, as

well as the potential elucidation of novel clinical treatment strategies.
4.    Where did you attend undergraduate school and what was your major/minor?
Colorado State University
B.S. in Biomedical Sciences and Biochemistry
5.    What you did (if anything) between undergraduate and graduate school?
After my undergraduate studies, I obtained my master’s degree in Bioscience Enterprise at the University of

Cambridge, U.K. While there, and immediately following, I worked as a clinical development and late-stage

marketing consultant to various Fortune 500 Pharma companies. My work often consisted of reverse-engineering

oncology industry trends (from both macro-environmental health economic and clinical perspectives) to design

competitive and relevant pivotal clinical trials, as well as broader clinical development program strategies in

a given therapeutic area.
6.    Other school affiliated activities/clubs you are involved in?
I often attend various clinically-oriented symposia and talks on campus that focus on current issues in the

treatment of cancer. I think it provides additional context for the work often conducted in a research lab.
7.    What do you like to do outside of school?
Spending time with friends, family, and travelling!
8.    What is your favorite thing about Colorado?
The weather and nice people provide a great quality of life!
9.    Your contact information-
a.    email                 hamid.gari@UCDenver.edu
b.    phone number
c.    office number