The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE)
CURE is a mentored research experience augmented with professional development, career advisement, networking opportunities, and presentations of research findings to a world-renowned scientific community.
Application Deadline – February 22, 2011 (postmarked on or before this date)
Application Decision – March 22, 2011 (on or before this date)
2011 Summer Program – Undergraduate students: June 13 – August 19, 2011
Make important discoveries about cancer. . .Make important discoveries about yourself.
The CURE program introduces college students from underrepresented populations to the world of cancer research by placing them in real research settings at local cancer research institutions. Our goal is to encourage students to pursue future careers in the biosciences — particularly cancer research — giving practical meaning to academic course work. At the same time, students make a valuable contribution to the DF/HCC research mission. By participating in a program at DF/HCC — an NCI comprehensive cancer center with more than 1000 researchers across seven Harvard institutions — students will learn from experts who are devoted to preventing, treating and curing cancer. Each year, a number of promising students are selected for this unique opportunity to expand and extend their interest in basic, clinical, or population science cancer research or nursing research.
What will I gain from taking part in CURE?
You will work in a cancer research environment, getting hands-on experience you will not find in any classroom. You will spend time alongside scientists and use state-of-the-art technology. You will learn what a research career is really like, develop a wide range of skills, and take part in groundbreaking cancer discoveries that change the world, one experiment at a time.
You will be assigned your own mentor and advisor, who will oversee your research and offer guidance. And in addition to working on a research project, you will benefit from program activities such as these:
- Attending scientific research and professional development seminars meant to familiarize students with relevant research initiatives, new technologies, issues and ethics in research, potential career paths, and other topics
- Comprehensive orientation, including a 2-day training session on skills related to students’ research environments
- Library session on the use of biomedical research tools
- Journal club that will assist with navigating scientific papers
- Outings that highlight the relationships between academia and industry
- Networking and social events
- Preparation of an abstract and final presentation, helping to develop your writing, speaking, and presentation skills
Eligibility
To be eligible to participate in the DF/HCC CURE program, students must:
- Be a high school sophomore, junior or senior OR be a college undergraduate
- Be at least 16 years old as of the start of the program
- Be an MA resident or attend school in MA
- Be an US citizen or a permanent resident
- Be at least one of the following:
oFrom a racial/ethnic group that is underrepresented in the sciences
o A first generation college student
o Economically disadvantaged
- Show a strong interest and ability in science
- Have an interest in pursuing a biomedical or health-related research career
- Be able to commit to an 8 week (high school students) or a 10 week (undergraduate students) full-time summer experience
Underrepresented minorities in the sciences include Blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans/Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.
How to Apply
To apply for CURE 2011, students should send to the address below, postmarked by Tuesday, February 22, 2011:
- The completed Application Form. Students should fill out the electronic form, save it for their records, and then print the completed form.
- A personal statement describing their academic and professional interests, interest in the biomedical field, reason for applying to the CURE program and the way(s) in which this experience will help them meet their short and long term goals. The typed statement should be a minimum of 500 words.
- An official copy of their latest transcript.
- One letter of recommendation from a science or mathematics teacher/professor. Letters of recommendation should be in sealed, signed envelopes or sent separately by the recommender.
Please send all application materials to:
Elizabeth Zdunich
CURE Training Coordinator
Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center
450 Brookline Avenue, BP 322A
Boston, MA 02115-6084
ezdunich@partners.org
Please be sure all components of the application, including transcripts, are addressed to CURE, otherwise they may not be delivered to our office.
Questions?
Check the FAQ page.
