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Hi, everyone! My name is Julia Rezende da Silva, and I’m a PhD student in pharmacy—pathophysiology and toxicology at Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil. My research focuses on exploring oncogenic pathways, novel therapeutic strategies, and 3D modeling, particularly organoids and in vitro human skin reconstruction, to unravel the complexities of cancer progression, treatment, and resistance. Additionally, I am involved in research projects examining toxicological endpoints associated with carcinogenesis. 

Given this, I recognized the importance of familiarizing myself with the process of identifying cancer hazards, as the focus of my thesis is to understand how toxicology informs cancer research. This aspiration led me to undertake a transformative two-month internship at the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, supported by the SOT Supplemental Training for Education Program (STEP). I was hosted by Dr. Federica Madia and Dr. Aline de Conti (SOT member). 

My internship at IARC was deeply embedded in the Monographs Programme, an internationally recognized initiative for cancer hazard identification. The core of my activities revolved around the systematic review (SR) methodology, a cornerstone for evaluating evidence in identifying cancer hazards. This experience involved contributing to key stages of the SR process, refining literature search terms mapped to the key characteristics (KCs) of carcinogens framework, and applying these refinements to case studies on photosensitizing drugs. 

One of the highlights of my internship was participating in the IARC Monograph Meeting Volume 137, focusing on “Hydrochlorothiazide, Voriconazole, and Tacrolimus.” This opportunity allowed me to support the IARC Secretariat in organizing and evaluating mechanistic evidence, ensuring a comprehensive and transparent review of scientific literature. Additionally, I contributed to the meeting’s summary report, which was published in The Lancet Oncology. 

During the internship, I gained a robust set of skills and knowledge that have significantly enhanced my expertise in toxicology and cancer research. I refined my ability to design and apply search strategies for identifying relevant scientific literature within the KCs framework. My contributions to the IARC Monograph Meeting allowed me to develop proficiency in organizing large volumes of scientific evidence while ensuring alignment with evaluation standards. Additionally, I had the opportunity to collaborate with global experts, actively engage in working groups, and contribute to the process of identifying cancer hazards. This experience underscored the critical role such efforts play in shaping public health policies. 

Drafting summaries and contributing to publications further refined my ability to communicate complex scientific findings to diverse audiences effectively. These experiences have significantly bolstered my academic and professional profile by enabling me to contribute to high-impact scientific publications and reports. 

This internship has been a pivotal milestone in my career trajectory. By bridging the gap between my research in 3D cancer models and toxicology, it has equipped me with the tools to integrate systematic evaluation methodologies into my work. The training has also enhanced my capacity to mentor others, particularly in Brazil, where access to such specialized knowledge is limited. I now feel better prepared to contribute to decision-making paradigms in toxicology and to develop innovative approaches for evaluating potential cancer treatments. 

My experience with the IARC Monographs Programme has been nothing short of transformative. It has not only broadened my technical and scientific horizons but also reinforced my commitment to advancing cancer research through a multidisciplinary lens. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity SOT provided me with the STEP award and look forward to applying these insights to future endeavors in toxicology and oncology. 

STEP has two deadlines a year: April 30 and September 30.