BG Lab Virtual Fellowship in Global Oncology, Cancer Policy & Critical Appraisal
Duration: 12 months (virtual)
Program Director: Bishal Gyawali, MD, PhD, FASCO
Program Overview:
The BG Lab Virtual Fellowship is a year-long immersive training program designed to develop wise research consumers and thoughtful contributors to oncology scholarship, grounded in rigorous critical appraisal, global oncology, equity, and value-based cancer care.
Aligned with the BG Lab’s philosophy of cancer groundshot, this fellowship emphasizes meaningful outcomes, relevance to patients worldwide (including LMICs), and intellectual independence.
Who This Fellowship Is For-
- Oncology trainees, early-career oncologists or global health professionals interested in global oncology and cancer policy.
- Researchers and clinicians seeking expertise in critical appraisal, cancer policy, and real-world evidence interpretation.
- Professionals committed to equitable, patient-centered oncology.
Number of fellows accepted: 1
Given our limited funding availability, we are able to accept only one virtual fellow at a time (applications accepted on a rolling basis). However, if the applicant has (or can secure) funding to support their fellowship, we are open to accepting more in-person (or virtual or hybrid) fellows. If we find deserving applicants, we can work with them to secure funding opportunities.
How to apply? Email Dr. Gyawali at Gyawali.bishal@queensu.ca with your up-to-date CV, and a letter outlining your interest in the fellowship.
Core Fellowship Components
1. Longitudinal 1:1 Mentorship
Monthly individual mentorship meetings with Dr. Gyawali (with co-mentorship by Dr. Laure-Anne Teuwen) for one academic year.
Each fellow receives personalized academic mentorship focused on:
- Developing a scholarly manuscript (original research, commentary, or policy analysis)
- Learning how to critically appraise a published research article (trial and non-trial research manuscripts)
- Learning how to peer-review manuscripts
- Navigating authorship ethics, journal selection, and responding to reviewers
- Developing a personal academic voice in oncology scholarship
- Career guidance in global oncology, policy, and academia
2. Full Integration into BG Lab Meetings
Fellows become active members of the BG Lab, attending weekly virtual lab meetings.
Through this experience, fellows will:
- Learn about ongoing BG Lab projects in global oncology, cancer policy & economics and value-based cancer care.
- Participate in idea generation, critique, and discussion.
- Propose novel research questions and have opportunities to become lead or co-lead investigators on suitable projects.
3. Structured Curriculum in Critical Appraisal & Research Literacy
Recognizing that all oncology professionals must be expert research consumers, the fellowship includes a structured learning arc focused on critical appraisal.
Key domains include:
- Interpretation of randomized clinical trials
- Understanding endpoints that matter (OS, QoL, toxicity, financial impact)
- Bias, surrogate endpoints, and regulatory pitfalls
- Applicability of evidence across global settings
- Distinguishing statistical significance from clinical relevance
4. Global Networking & Professional Visibility
The BG Lab fellowship will provide a curated exposure to a global network of oncology leaders, that will allow more broadened informal mentorship and career networking.
5. Career Growth
The fellow will also be offered opportunities to present at conferences, as well as other speaking and writing opportunities. The fellow will be given training on how to present an abstract, deliver a good talk, and other soft skills. Furthermore, the fellow will be invited to peer-review manuscripts and join editorial boards of journals, as appropriate.
6. Grantsmanship:
The fellow will be offered advice, support, collaboration, and mentorship on applying to and securing grants and fundings, tailored to the fellow’s career level and interests.
7. In-Person Opportunity:
Contingent on funding availability, the fellow will have an opportunity to spend a short-term or a long-term stay in-person at the BG Lab, Queen’s University.
8. Optional Enrollment: Queen’s Global Oncology Masterclass in Critical Appraisal
Fellows may optionally enroll in the Masterclass in Critical Appraisal developed by the Queen’s Global Oncology Program at Queen’s University.
Masterclass focus:
- Rigorous interpretation of randomized clinical trials
- Frameworks for applying evidence to real-world patients
- Subsequent modules addressing other study designs relevant to oncology practice
What We Look For in a Fellow:
The BG Lab Virtual Fellowship seeks motivated, collaborative professionals committed to rigorous scholarship, global equity, and meaningful impact in oncology aligned with the principles of cancer groundshot. Fellows are selected not only for their potential, but for their willingness to actively contribute to the BG Lab community and become an ambassador for oncology practice and research, done the right way.
Ideal Fellows Will:
- Engage as active team members, contributing novel, proactive research and policy ideas within the Lab.
- Demonstrate scholarly initiative, including participation in research development and pursuit of grant or funding opportunities when appropriate.
- Uphold the highest standards of professionalism, including respect for deadlines, clear communication, and self-directed learning.
- Serve as global ambassadors of the BG Lab, promoting its values of cancer groundshot, critical appraisal, value-based cancer care, and patient-centered oncology.
- Approach mentorship with intellectual curiosity, humility, and openness to feedback
In addition to your professional interests and achievements, you should be a good human being. A good friend or colleague who would be fun to be around, could share a meal or drink with, and laugh at silly things. At BG Lab, you will learn that it is possible to do good things in oncology without being serious or boring or fun-averse.
By end of fellowship deliverables:
- Developed and advanced at least two scholarly products (one research article and one non-research commentary or policy analysis) with the goal of submission
- Gained hands-on experience in critical appraisal and peer review of oncology literature
- Contributed meaningfully to ongoing or new BG Lab research initiatives
- Expanded a global professional network within oncology research, policy, and global health
- Demonstrated readiness to function as an independent, thoughtful research consumer and contributor
Optional:
Year-Long Curriculum Structure
Quarter 1: Foundations
- Orientation to BG Lab philosophy and “cancer groundshot”
- Fundamentals of critical appraisal
- Selection of scholarly focus area
- Initial manuscript concept development
Quarter 2: Skill Building
- Deep dive into trial interpretation and policy relevance
- Active participation in BG Lab projects
- Drafting and iterative feedback on scholarly work
Quarter 3: Scholarly Maturation
- Advanced peer review skills
- Journal navigation and submission strategy
- Leadership roles in lab discussions or project subgroups
Quarter 4: Synthesis & Dissemination
- Manuscript finalization and submission
- Capstone presentation to BG Lab
- Career planning and future scholarly roadmap
Dr. Bishal Gyawali 