The Cancer Institute and Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Fellowship Site: Beijing, China; US Partner: UNC Chapel Hill

The CICAMS site co-sponsor is internationally-renowned epidemiologist Dr. You-Lin Qiao, MD MPH PhD, the primary Fogarty contact person at CICAMS in China. He received his medical and MPH training in China and his PhD in Environmental Health Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. He is currently the director of Cancer Epidemiology at CICAMS. These experiences, as well as his participation in many international advisory groups such as the WHO, have given him a unique and influential role in global health research. Currently, his various research interests include the epidemiology of HPV infection, improving cervical cancer screening methods, clinical trials of HPV vaccines, and the relationship between esophageal cancer and environmental carcinogens.

Dr. Jennifer S. Smith, MPH PhD is the primary Fogarty contact person for the CICAMS site in the US, and is based at The University of North-Carolina Chapel Hill. Dr. Smith received her public health and epidemiology training from Johns Hopkins University, and she has traveled extensively through Africa, Europe, and Asia while conducting epidemiology and cancer studies. Her global fieldwork experience led her to the Gillings School of Global Public Health at UNC-Chapel Hill, where she is currently a Research Associate Professor with a passion for mentoring students. Her research interests include the epidemiology of HPV infection, cervical cancer screening and treatment, the HPV vaccine, and infections and cancer (including Kaposi's Sarcoma), many of which she has studied in the international health context.

Research Opportunities:

As China has a population of over 1.3 billion people, there are many populations and regions in which to study cancer. For example, the Linxian region of China displays one of the highest rates of esophageal and gastric cancer in the world. Given the resources at CICAMS and the expertise of the co-sponsors, Dr. Qiao and Dr. Smith, the CICAMS Fogarty site offers research opportunities in cancer, clinical trials, and epidemiology. While the main topics approached by the CICAMS group include cervical cancer, HPV, and esophageal cancer, there are many other research topics available. The site also offers the opportunity to develop individually tailored Fogarty research projects and travel to different parts of China with fellow researchers to participate in trials and studies.

These are a few examples of the research work that is being done at this site:

• Comparing different low-cost screening strategies for HPV-positive women in resource-poor areas of China
• HPV-vaccine clinical trials
• Risk-factor analysis in the etiology of various cancer (breast, cervical, and others)
• HIV and HPV co-infection: screening methods, natural history of cervical disease in HIV
• Study of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and acetaldehyde as etiologic agents for esophageal cancer in Linxian
• Clinical trial of selenomethionine and celecoxib as chemopreventive agents for esophageal squamous dysplasia in Linxian

Housing/Meals/Transportation:

After arriving in Beijing, scholars can stay for several weeks at the graduate student dormitory on the Cancer Hospital campus. After that, scholars can choose to rent an apartment near the Cancer Hospital, and CICAMS staff can assist students in finding appropriate and comfortable accommodations. A typical housing arrangement in neighborhoods around the Cancer Hospital campus costs approximately $300-400 US per month (many prices in Beijing can be bargained down, including apartments). Standard apartments in Beijing come with a bedroom, living room with TV, kitchen, a small washing machine, bathroom, and shower (with hot water). Internet access is typically around $15 per month.

The CICAMS cafeteria, located on campus, is where many hospital and research staff and students eat lunch. The menu is large and includes various noodles, curry chicken, tofu with vegetables, and more (for about $1 US per meal). Off-campus, Beijing offers a constant and fantastic culinary adventure in regional Chinese cuisine, as well as international and American foods for the homesick.

Public bus transportation to and from the Cancer Hospital is fast and frequent, and the Cancer Hospital's bus stop is located a few seconds from the front entrance. Throughout Beijing, the bus and subway systems are widespread and efficient, and taxis are cheap and easily found.

Health Issues:

See the U.S. Centers for Disease Control Web site and The Yellow Book: Health Information for International Travel. The NIH/FICRS program mandates that all Scholars see a physician prior to their assignment abroad.

Safety Issues:

Overall China is a considerably safe country, and the capital city Beijing is one of safest cities in China with good healthcare facilities and other amenities. See the U.S. State Department Web site for additional information.

Language Requirements:

Chinese language skills are not a requirement for this site. Most Chinese researchers and graduate students at the Cancer Hospital can read and write in English, and many can also speak advanced English. If so desired, scholars can take language classes at local universities or at the many language learning centers located throughout Beijing.

What is it like to live in China?

Beijing is a hustling, bustling city. With an urban population of about 13 million people and a sprawling area of jurisdiction, most American cities are dwarfed in comparison. The city is an interesting study in the modernization of China, with thousand-year old historical sites located next to newly built high rises and the ever-present construction crane. The area surrounding CICAMS is safe and beautiful, as the city canal and Longtan Lake-Park are across the street. Since the Summer Olympics were held in Beijing in 2008, the city has become much more foreigner-friendly. Public buses and subway lines announce stops in English and Chinese, and most street signs are translated into pinyin.