UC San Diego School of Medicine Launches New Precision Medicine Therapeutics in Oncology Program

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According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that more than two million new cancer cases will be diagnosed and more than 618,000 cancer deaths will occur in the United States in 2025. Developing new, targeted treatments for cancer is more important than ever.

To help address this urgent need, University of California San Diego School of Medicine has developed a new Master of Advanced Studies in Precision Medicine Therapeutics in Oncology (PMTO) program. This interdisciplinary graduate degree program will prepare health care providers, researchers and life sciences industry professionals to drive innovation in precision medicine for the treatment of cancer.

Precision medicine, also referred to as personalized or individualized medicine, is an innovative approach to health care that allows providers to tailor treatments based on a patient’s unique genetics, environment and lifestyle.

There is a rapidly growing need for specialists who can leverage genetics, data science, advanced medical technologies and therapies to provide these personalized treatments to individual patients. In the U.S. there are now close to 100 precision oncology therapies approved, yet despite this growth in available therapies, less than 1 in 20 cancer patients receive these potentially life-saving treatments.

“UC San Diego School of Medicine is at the forefront of groundbreaking research that is transforming health care delivery,” said Barbara Jung, M.D., associate vice chancellor and dean of the School of Medicine. “The excellence of our world-class scientists coupled with our interdisciplinary approach to education will uniquely position graduates of this new program to become leaders in precision medicine, drive breakthroughs in cancer research and improve patient outcomes.”

The interdisciplinary PMTO curriculum will explore the latest advancements in genomics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence (AI)-detected actionable genomic targets and other clinical applications in oncology, providing students with a deep understanding of the scientific, clinical and business aspects of precision medicine. Students will learn from leading experts at UC San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences and the School of Medicine, as well as guest faculty from the life sciences industry.

Who should consider a degree in precision medicine?

The master’s program is ideal for health care professionals looking to specialize in precision oncology, researchers interested in the application of AI in oncology, genomics, diagnostics and therapeutic applications, and industry professionals working in drug development, clinical trials and health care policy.

“This program will provide students with the specialized knowledge and skills to become key contributors in the exciting and rapidly advancing field of personalized cancer treatment,” said Williams Ettouati, Pharm.D., associate clinical professor in Health Sciences and managing PMTO program director. “Our program offers a direct pathway to impactful careers focused on developing and implementing the next generation of cancer therapies, ultimately benefiting patients and shaping the future of oncology treatment.”

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be equipped with the skills to succeed in a range of careers in health care, pharmaceutical and biotechnology, research, bioinformatics and tech startups. Career opportunities may include:

• Developing targeted cancer therapies and managing precision medicine clinical trials.
• Understanding application of bioinformatics and genomics to uncover disease patterns and treatment responses.
• Applying AI and data science to enhance personalized medicine and improve health outcomes.
• Launching biotech startups focused on develop cutting-edge solutions for personalized cancer treatment.

The PMTO program can be completed full-time in nine months or part-time in 18 months and will be offered at the UC San Diego campus. Applications for the inaugural class, which will begin in Fall 2026, are expected to open in September 2025.

"We invite talented and motivated individuals to apply to this program and join the next generation of leaders in cancer therapeutics," said Scott Lippman, M.D., distinguished professor of medicine and academic program director for PMTO. "We are excited to welcome our first class of students and look forward to seeing them transform the future of precision medicine."

For more information about the Master of Advanced Studies in Precision Medicine Therapeutics in Oncology program, please visit pmto.ucsd.edu.