Chicago EYES on Cancer
Chicago EYES on Cancer is really about building the pipeline of future cancer researchers and making sure that we have diversity, bringing people that are typically underrepresented in the sciences and giving them the opportunity and exposure to those careers.
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a cancer research training program for high school students, for undergraduate students, and also for high school teachers of the sciences. This is a two-year program, so all of our participants are with us for two summers for eight weeks each, and they are placed in a cancer research laboratory based on their own interests in terms of the methodologies that they might be interested in developing or a particular kind of cancer that they're interested in. And this research experience is the fundamental component of the program.
I was provided with lifelong mentors. Me and Dr. Dolan and Kathy and Megan, we are still close. Nothing changed. Their support for me have not changed. If it wasn't for Dr. Dolan and Kathy, I probably wouldn't have had a love for medicine because they love doing research, especially Dr. Dolan. She's really passionate about her job. And Kathy's history with her father passing away from cancer, she loves what she's doing too. So the love that they had for medicine, they put it upon me.
We get these different lectures throughout the summer during Wednesdays, and we're able to hear about all these amazing researchers and what they're doing, and about their lab and what it's like. And it's very inspiring, and you get to talk to them and meet them. And then you can become part of their lab too. So just the networking, all the opportunities that we're given, it's one of the best things.
I am a veteran teacher. I've been teaching for 18 years, and I've done quite a bit of professional development. This program stands apart from all the other ones in that not only does it build teacher capacity in terms of my actual science skills, but more importantly, it actually allows me to build a partnership with the University of Chicago, specifically the EYES team in bringing this to my classroom in a meaningful way.
Not only is this an opportunity for you to be in a lab and do research, but also to engage with the surrounding community. I think this program really emphasizes being a good neighbor and really connecting with the people around you. And I think it's incredibly important when you do science to understand the environment in which you're working in, especially when you're doing research on the South side of Chicago. And so I am very thankful that the program does have such a high emphasis on outreach in the community.
The broad network stemming from mentored research experiences, comprehensive career development, and outreach will spur a new generation of breakthrough research scientists.
I think we absolutely need scientists. We have certainly not cured cancer. The cancer is 100 or more different diseases. We've made great advances, but we need a set of new minds that can think out of the box, that can bring in.
Chicago EYES (Educators and Youth Enjoy Science) on Cancer is a cancer research training program for high school and college students interested in careers in biomedicine. The program also engages science educators.
EYES is funded by an R25 YES grant from the National Cancer Institute.
High School and College Students
For two consecutive summers, EYES participants work full time in the laboratories of established cancer researchers at the university. Rigorous research training is complemented with a cancer-based summer lecture series, year-round career development and skill-building workshops, and a network of faculty and peer mentors dedicated to participants’ success. The program culminates in a research symposium to showcase participants’ work across basic, translational, clinical, and population-based areas of cancer research.
Chicago EYES on Cancer is a two-year program consisting of two eight-week summer research experiences plus monthly academic year activities. The summer research experiences generally run from the second full week of June through the first week of August. Specific dates are announced with the release of application materials each fall.
Please note that accommodations can be made for students whose academic calendar conflicts with the EYES program.
- Hands-on experience in a cutting-edge laboratory or research group
- Year-round career development and skill-building workshops
- Ongoing mentorship from network of university faculty, research professionals, program personnel and peers
- Taxable stipend of $5,000 per year
- High school sophomore, junior or senior, OR college freshman or sophomore at time of application
- At least 16 years of age at start of program
- United States citizen or permanent resident
- Ability to commit to the full two-year program, including 8-week research experiences (40 hours/week) for two consecutive summers and monthly enrichment activities during the academic year (2-4 hours/month)
Please note that participants are responsible for their own housing and transportation to and from the University of Chicago during their summer research experiences.
Applications for Chicago EYES on Cancer are currently closed. Please sign up for our mailing list to receive updates about UCCCC Pathway Programs and related opportunities: https://is.gd/ucccc_mailing_list
Science Educators
The Chicago EYES on Cancer team collaborates with science educators to enhance their capacity for inquiry-driven, project-based instruction. Opportunities include immersive cancer research experiences, professional development workshops, support for curriculum development, and access to members of UChicago’s cancer research community for classroom engagement. Please register for our mailing list to learn more!
Program Team
M. Eileen Dolan, PhD
Deputy Director, UChicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center
Megan Mekinda, PhD
Director for Education, Training, and Evaluation
Rosie Huggins, PhD
Assistant Director for Cancer Education
Sonia Hernandez, PhD
Research Associate Professor
Michelle Domecki
Cancer Education Coordinator
Chicago EYES on Cancer would not be possible without our faculty mentors and their research teams, who dedicate precious time, wisdom and laboratory resources to participants of the program. Our mentors are leaders across all areas of cancer research including basic, translational, clinical and population-based. They are also experienced educators and committed role models.
More information about our faculty researchers is available here.
In addition to their faculty mentors, Chicago EYES on Cancer students work closely with peer mentors: University of Chicago undergraduate and graduate students pursuing careers in the biomedical field.
Our peer mentors advise on everything from laboratory etiquette to poster formatting. Most importantly, they offer valuable insight on the opportunities and challenges awaiting program participants at the very next stage of their careers.
Advisory Committee
The Chicago EYES on Cancer Advisory Committee provides strategic guidance regarding the program’s continued growth and development. It also facilitates greater integration of the program with cancer- and science-related educational opportunities within the university and partnering institutions. The committee comprises key partners and stakeholders of the EYES program, including experienced research mentors; STEM education experts; leaders in diversity, equity, and inclusion; and student representatives.
Erin Adams, PhD
Joseph Regenstein Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
University of Chicago
Rex Babiera, MEd, MBA
ITW Director of Professional Learning
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago
Jeanne Chowning, PhD
Associate Vice President of Science Education
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Laura Decker, MEd
High School Science Education Specialist
Chicago Public Schools
Camilla Frost-Brewer, MEd, MPP
Program Manager Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, UCCCC
University of Chicago
Maryellen Giger, PhD
A.N. Pritzker Distinguished Service Professor of Radiaology
University of Chicago
Nita Lee, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, UCCCC
University of Chicago
Linnea Lungstrom
EYES Alumna
Doctoral Student, Committee on Evolutionary Biology
University of Chicago
Steven Rogg, PhD
Authentic STEM Education Specialist
Coherent Learning Design
Nathan Vanderford, PhD, MBA
Associate Professor of Toxicology and Cancer Biology
Assistant Director for Research and Education
Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine
Raven Watson, Doctoral Student
Committee on Genetics, Genomics, and Systems Biology
University of Chicago