Undergraduate Summer Fellowships

 
Study Design/Training Plan.  The seven undergraduate students admitted to this program will be assigned to a faculty member with funded cancer research projects. Each student will carry out a specific research assignment which is designed to yield new data and findings within the allotted time (10 weeks, May-August). Through lab meetings, seminars and Grand Rounds, students will interact with numerous faculty. At the end of the summer experience, each student will prepare and deliver a poster describing his/her work in an organized "Poster Day" together with other summer cancer research fellows.

Background.  Overall cancer mortality rates have remained essentially unchanged for the past 50 years. Whereas some cancers have yielded dramatically to treatment (lymphoma, testicular cancer and childhood leukemia), breast, prostate, pancreatic and lung cancers have not displayed spectacular responses. It will be necessary to continue research into cancer prevention, control and treatment for many years to come. It is therefore essential that promising young scientists be trained and motivated to dedicate their research careers to conquering this dread disease. A summer fellowship in cancer research directed toward outstanding undergraduate science majors will impress these students at a time when they are about to make the important decision regarding their research careers. Not only will this training guarantee continuation of the investigation of cancer, but bright young scientists will undoubtedly contribute new ideas and new techniques to the search for the prevention or cure of cancer.

The Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute of Wayne State University has had a long-standing interest in the training of scientists for careers in cancer research. This interest culminated in the extension of a NCI sponsored training grant into a Graduate Program in Cancer Biology in 1989. Throughout this period, the KCI and its predecessor, MCF, have actively recruited high school and college students for summer research fellowships. These programs were initiated and became successful due to the variety of basic, clinical and translational research carried out by an expert faculty who have consistently been dedicated to the training of young scientists. Funds to support the training of undergraduates have been derived from local philanthropy. Each fellow receives a $4,000 stipend for the 10 weeks of laboratory work.

Objective.  The objective of this training program is to inform outstanding college science majors of the realities of scientific research and to aid them to envision and prepare for careers in cancer research.

Specific Aims. Specifically, this program is designed to; 1) increase the number of trainees experiencing the gratification and excitement of participating in cancer research, 2) facilitate the interaction of students with a broad segment of our faculty in the KCI Cancer Programs, and 3) instruct students in research data handling and presentation.

Relevance.  This summer training program will acquaint outstanding undergraduate science majors with the gratification and excitement of cancer research.  Experience shows that young scientists, who have been given similar opportunities to participate in research at this point in their life, will be stimulated to pursue careers in scientific investigation. 

Application.  Application for the Undergraduate Summer Fellowships in Cancer Research consists of a letter stating the applicants interest in cancer research accompanied by a personal resume describing college courses completed, community service participated in, honors received, as well as extracurricular activities while at college/university.  Applicants must be U.S. citizens or have a permanent resident status. Applications should be received by March 1^st and sent to:  Dr. Robert J. Pauley, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, 550 E. Canfield, 329 Lande Building, Detroit, MI  48201

THE CANCER RESEARCH FACULTY

The superb faculty of the Cancer Institute represent the central factor in a student's consideration of our program for training in cancer research.  The faculty's distinguished record of research and teaching provides the basis for the intellectual stimulation necessary for the growth and development of our students in Cancer Biology.  There are outstanding investigators carrying out investigations concerned with the understanding, prevention and treatment of cancer.  The faculty can be found on this website.