Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the Molecular Biology and Genomics of Human Cancer

Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor ME

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

The proposed renewal of the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship in the Molecular Biology and Genomics of Human Cancer at The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine (JAX-GM) in Farmington, CT, pledges to provide enhanced education in cancer research and genomics to the future biomedical workforce. This proposed program will function as a defined cohort within the existing JAX Summer Student Program (SSP). Under the larger umbrella of the JAX NCI-designated Cancer Center, JAX-GM constitutes a uniquely collaborative, highly innovative research environment that brings together scientists with diverse cancer expertise. The Specific Aims of our program are as follows: (1) Provide an authentic and mentored research experience. JAX-GM will recruit 10 students to join the laboratory of a program faculty mentor in a cutting-edge, collaborative research environment where they will use molecular and computational methods to investigate the etiology and evolution of human breast, ovarian, bone, and brain cancers, leukemia, cancer immunotherapy, and genome structural variation and instability. (2) Recruit students from across the country to experience cancer research training in the unique context of a biomedical research institution. The participants will be actively recruited through national outreach and chosen through a competitive application process. The program will admit undergraduates from varying academic institutions - from large research-intensive universities to primarily undergraduate institutions. Participation from across the country will be facilitated by the provision of each intern with a full fellowship, including subsistence, travel, research supplies, and funds to offset the cost of housing. These funds will also enable economically disadvantaged students to forgo summer jobs and participate in this life-changing educational experience. (3) Encourage careers in science and lifelong scientific literacy. Each participant will join the laboratory of a JAX faculty to design and conduct an independent, hypothesis-driven project using advanced analytic methods and tools as well as JAX-GM’s outstanding scientific resources. The Cancer Fellowship will include workshops on the fundamental ethical, legal, and social issues scientists face, as well as science communication and professional networking opportunities. Through JAX’s institutional commitment, students will have access to intellectual and research resources, including on-campus courses and workshops, state-of-the-art instrumentation and computational tools, dedicated program direction by JAX Genomic Education staff, housing in a college setting, and a professionally staffed residential program. The SSP––supported by institutional funds, private foundations, and federal grants–has well-established administrative procedures for recruitment and selection, mentor training, guidance, program design, management, and evaluation. JAX-GM offers a stimulating environment in which motivated, talented students can learn the fundamentals of scientific inquiry, contribute to real research progress, and make great strides in intellectual and personal growth and establishment of their science identity.