Pathway Programs for High School & Undergraduate Students
High school and undergraduate students interested in cancer research can choose from several rigorous pipeline programs to deepen their knowledge of cancer science, broaden their awareness of careers in the field, and build relationships with leaders in the scientific community fighting to unravel cancer’s mysteries.
Each program offers hands-on learning in a premier research laboratory or patient care facility and dedicated mentorship from UChicago faculty. The programs differ in terms of their eligibility requirements and the exact nature of training opportunities.
We welcome you to apply to the program best aligned with your career stage and interests.
Programs
Who: High school and college students AND secondary science educators
What: Full-time immersion in a cancer research laboratory, individualized mentoring, skill-building workshops, faculty lecture series, research symposium and group social events
When:8 weeks for 2 consecutive summers, plus monthly activities during the academic year
Contact: Megan Mekinda, PhD, 773-702-4678, mmekinda@bsd.uchicago.edu
Who: College students interested in careers in research and medicine
What: Full-time immersion in a cancer research laboratory, individualized mentoring, skill-building workshops, faculty lecture series, research symposium and group social events
When: 10-week summer research experience, plus monthly activities during the academic year
Contact: Megan Mekinda, PhD, 773-702-4678, DICR@bsd.uchicago.edu
Who: High school students interested in careers in scientific research or medicine
What: Full-time immersion in a cancer research laboratory, individualized mentoring, career and skill-building workshops, faculty lecture series, student research symposium and group social events
When: 8 weeks, summer
Contact: Megan Mekinda, PhD, 773-702-4678, researcHStart@bsd.uchicago.edu
Who: High school students interested in careers in science and medicine
What: Virtual, hands-on research experience plus clinical case study project, daily faculty lectures, panel discussions and skill-building workshops, group social events
When: 2 weeks, summer
Contact: Megan Mekinda, PhD, 773-702-4678, SHE@bsd.uchicago.edu
Who: High school seniors accepted into college and current college students from populations underrepresented in the sciences, interested in careers in medicine
What: Clinical shadowing, community service, faculty lectures and pre-medical advising
When: 6 weeks, summer
Contact: Nikki Oliver, 773-702-8946, noliver2@bsd.uchicago.edu
Who: College students from populations underrepresented in the sciences, interested in medical research
What: Full-time immersion in basic science laboratory or clinical research project
When: 8 weeks, summer
Contact: Nikki Oliver, 773-702-8946, noliver2@bsd.uchicago.edu
Who: College students interested in a MD/PhD or PhD in the biomedical sciences
What: Full-time immersion in laboratory research, individualized mentorship by a research scientist, participate in national student conferences and career and skill-building workshops and attend social and cultural events
When: 8-10 weeks, summer
Contact: Victoria Flores, vflores@uchicago.edu
Who: College juniors from populations underrepresented in the environmental health, biomedical and behavioral sciences that are interested in careers in the environmental sciences, environmental health or population research
What: Research training including an EHS-based summer lecture series, year-round career development and skill-building workshops, seminars, and lab/research experience with faculty mentors
When: 8-week research experiences for 2 consecutive summers, plus monthly activities during the academic year
Contact: Andy Craver, cravera@bsd.uchicago.edu
Who: Recent college graduates who intend to pursue a PhD in the biomedical sciences
What: Full-time work as laboratory technician, academic activities
When: Full year
Contact: PREP@lists.uchicago.edu