IFP Reflections: 10 Years Later

More than 4 million new cancer cases and 2.4 million cancer deaths were reported in China in 2016. This dire statistic prompted the Society for Translational Oncology (STO) to join forces that year with the Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology (CSCO) and address the country’s need for more oncologists by creating the CSCO-STO International Fellowship Program (IFP).

The three-month-long IFP focused on building professional skills in clinical trials, precision medicine, and immune-oncology, working with faculties from leading U.S. hospitals and other medical institutions. Its success led STO to once again team up in creating another fellowship program, this time working with the China-Africa Hospitals Alliance (CAHA).

Their goal is to tackle cervical cancer among women in low- and middle-income countries where over 90 percent of cervical cancer deaths occur. Through bidirectional training that links Chinese and African physicians and scientists with international academic mentors, the 12-month program builds equitable, sustainable pathways for cervical cancer prevention and care.

With the Society for Translational Oncology Fellowship (STOF) program launching in late 2026, we connected with the inaugural IFP recipients to learn how it has shaped their careers and how they think similar fellowships can support more oncologists and patients.

Jia Wei, MD, PhD – Oncology Leader & IFP Alumna

Dr. Jia Wei decided to make oncology her specialty while studying at Nanjing University, which she entered at the age of just 16. During the 2017 inaugural IFP, she received comprehensive training at several renowned institutions, including Harvard’s Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center, the Mayo Clinic, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and others. The takeaway from this experience, she told us in an interview three years ago, was a deeper understanding of how translational research can bridge the gap between preclinical studies and clinical obstacles. That prompted her decision to devote more time to moving the field of oncology forward from bench to bedside.

Today, Dr. Wei serves as a doctoral supervisor at Nanjing University’s medical school. She also is the vice president, chief physician, and a professor at its teaching hospital, Drum Tower Hospital, and deputy director of the university’s Clinical Oncology Institute. Additionally, she serves as editor-in-chief of Gastrointestinal Tumors and has authored or co-authored more than 140 scientific articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as several books and clinical guidelines. Along with the IFP fellowship, Dr. Wei continued to garner awards, among them a China Youth May Fourth Medal, which is China’s top award for young people.

In her oncology practice, Dr. Wei sees more than 9,000 patients each year. She focuses on exploring new treatment methods, including a personalized drug selection model that has increased the effectiveness of advanced gastric cancer treatment by 14 percent, and several new immunotherapeutic strategies across the entire gastric cancer disease spectrum.

How has your work evolved since your time as an IFP Fellow?

The IFP has greatly broadened my international perspective, particularly in the area of multicenter clinical research. With the rapid development of novel drug trials in China, the IFP training has also helped me strengthen my capabilities in clinical research, further supporting my professional growth in this field.

Looking back several years later, what lasting impact did the fellowship have on your career, leadership, or way of thinking?

Collaboration is essential. Oncology research often follows a continuum from basic science to translational research and ultimately to clinical application, and this process relies heavily on multidisciplinary and multi-team cooperation. Meanwhile, gaining an international perspective and learning from the management models of leading cancer centers worldwide has also been highly valuable for my current administrative role.

What advice would you give current or prospective fellows on how to make the most of a fellowship experience?

Talk to as many people as possible.

From your perspective today, how could fellowship programs like IFP be strengthened or made more valuable for future fellows?

Fellowship programs like IFP can serve as important bridges for international collaboration, both in clinical research and in scientific partnerships. In addition, the entrepreneurial ecosystem and resources in Boston offer valuable models that can be adapted and applied in China. As far as ideas for increasing their value, it would be great to see more Chinese oncologists enjoy this fellowship opportunity and to have reunion activities just to connect us all together.

Why do fellowships and international exchange still matter for oncology professionals and ultimately for patients?

In my view, gaining a genuine understanding of the differences and respective strengths of the healthcare systems in China and other countries can provide valuable support for one’s professional development. The opportunity to engage with leading physicians and principal investigators is particularly rare and meaningful, helping to broaden international perspectives and foster global collaboration. Ultimately, this experience can enhance one’s professional expertise and team development in China, thereby benefiting a greater number of patients.