CPRTP Summer Activities, Events & Resources

CPRTP summer students are expected to attend the mandatory educational activities 3 to 4 days each week. Some activities are open to other MD Anderson programs, while other activities are open to CPRTP trainees only.

We encourage trainees to attend other career development activities and honor their commitments. If there is a schedule conflict between a CPRTP mandatory activity and a lab home department activity/event, use your best judgment. The CPRTP will not penalize summer trainees for choosing one event over another. Simply send an email the summer program manager explaining your absence prior to the start of the CPRTP required event. 

Educational and Career Activities include and are not limited to:

• MD Anderson Academic and Visa Administration (AVA) Check-In
• CPRTP Orientation (Parts 1 & 2)
• CPRTP Welcome Lunch
• MD Anderson Summer Experience (SE) Welcome Lunch (all programs)
• MD Anderson SE Weekly Lecture Series
• Cancer Prevention and Control Grand Rounds (CPCGR)
• CPCGR Trainee and Speaker Brown Bags
• Tuesday Career Conversations
• Thursday Group Sessions
• Shadowing
• Informational Interviews
• Halfway Reports
• Final Reports
• Elevator Speech Workshops
• Scientific Poster Workshops
• CPRTP Farewell Lunch

• Journal Clubs
• What Color is Your Parachute? Book Club
• Volunteering
• Social activities (e.g. hiking, bicycling)
• NASA tour

Trainees are expected to attend all mandatory activities and complete assignments/projects by the due date provided on the summer activities calendar (download this sample CPRTP summer activities calendar). The CPRTP Summer Activities Calendar will be distributed during CPRTP orientation. The calendar will include the event name, time, location or assignment due date. In addition, students will receive calendar event invitations via Microsoft Outlook from the Summer Program Manager. 

A typical day will begin with the student arriving in the department of the primary mentor at 8am. Students will check in with their supervisor, which in most cases is a postdoctoral fellow, program manager, senior research scientist or lab manager.  The work day will be comprised of conducting research, attending mandatory CPRTP activities, reviewing a manuscript or journal article, conducting a literature review or experiment in the lab, working on any required CPRTP assignment, or shadowing faculty member.  Keep in mind, no day is "typical" and interpersonal communication and organizational skills are key.  Each student will be responsible for managing daily tasks, events, and meetings using the Microsoft Outlook calendar. When a CPRTP event changes (e.g. time, location, or cancellation), all students will receive an updated Microsoft Outlook calendar invitation. Before leaving for the day, students are encouraged to print their next day's calendar, to help prepare for the next work day. Unfortunately, students will not be able to sync the MS Outlook Calendar with their smartphone or tablet. 

Students are encouraged to take an 'active driver' role in the summer research by sharing ideas, initiating conversations, asking questions and remaining flexible enough to work with a team and independently.  Please do not hesitate to contact the CPRTP with questions, challenges with mentors or if guidance is needed in other areas. All information will be kept in the strictest confidence and we want you to have a rewarding summer experience.

The 10-week summer research experience will conclude with two events held during the last week of the program:

CPRTP Summer Trainee Exposition

This event is usually held on a Tuesday during the last week of the summer program. This 2-hour exposition is hosted by the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program and attendees include: Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences (DCPPS) faculty and staff ; summer mentors, research team and home department staff; as well as family and friends of summer trainees.

During this event, CPRTP summer trainees will present a 90-second elevator speech and formally present a scientific poster. The order of events include: 1) Elevator Speeches (in alphabetical order by trainee last name, 2) Poster Session & Reception. Food will be provided during the reception.

MD Anderson Summer Research Experience Final Event: Poster Session & Elevator Speech Competition 

Visit the MD Anderson Summer Experience Final Event page for details about this year's poster session and elevator speech competition.

Dress Code

MD Anderson dress code is business casual.Clothing does not need to be formal. Most thermostats within the buildings are set at 73 degrees, but will seem much cooler. Sweaters, pashminas or jackets can be kept at your desk in case you are cold while indoors. Consult your mentor regarding any additional dress code requirements set by the department, including casual Fridays (some departments allow jeans on Fridays, while others do not). If there is a Grand Rounds event scheduled for a Friday, we do not recommend wearing jeans. Typical Houston summers are very hot, humid and rainy, so please plan accordingly.

Acceptable attire

• Trousers/slacks/khakis
• Knee-length skirts
• Casual dresses
• Polo or button-down shirts/blouses
• Blazers/sweaters, pashminas, jackets

Unacceptable attire

• Shorts, torn or frayed jeans
• T-shirts with slogans or advertising (MD Anderson shirts are allowed)
• Flip-flops, hats
• Mini-skirts
• Revealing or bare midriff tops

Event Attire

Professional attire (clothing you would wear to a job interview) is recommended for the trainee exposition and final event.

Options for Men:  Suits; long sleeve dress shirt, slacks & tie, bow ties, vests, dress shoes.

Options for Women:  Suits (pants or knee length skirts); dresses (knee length, long or A-line); skirts and blouses (long or short sleeve).

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