High School Summer Program
Presenting the 63rd Annual
Carl B. & Florence E. King Foundation High School Summer Program
in Biomedical Sciences
sponsored by the School of Health Professions
Program is open ONLY to current Texas high school seniors.
June 5 - August 11, 2023
The program introduces interested and qualified young Texans interested in an Allied Health career to a research environment and provides firsthand experiences in the varied career opportunities available at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, the nation's leading cancer research and treatment centers. Up to seven (7) students will be selected to participate in this ten-week program.
Students selected for the program are given a rare opportunity to participate in a research project in one of the biomedical disciplines under the guidance of a full-time member of the MD Anderson faculty. Emphasis is placed on the importance of the basic principles that form the foundation for scientific investigation.
During the program, students work in MD Anderson laboratories five days a week, from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. The majority of this time is spent doing actual hands-on work that provides the students with a clear knowledge of exactly what it means to be a biomedical researcher as well as an understanding of the discipline required.
The laboratory experience is supplemented by seminars presented by faculty on a wide variety of research topics and by activities exclusive to participants of all the Summer Programs, which may include an abstract, poster, and elevator speech competitions. At the conclusion of the program, participants will share their experiences during a presentation and a celebration luncheon.
Participants will approach their upcoming college term with an increased awareness and confidence in allied health professions career fields.
*** Applicants must be available for the entire 10 weeks, however, we understand some school districts finish school and host commencement during the first week of the program. In this case, an invitee may start the second week and participate the remaining 9 weeks. ***
View the Summer Program YouTube Video
Eligibility Criteria
Students applying for the Summer Program must meet the following requirements.
- Preference for a career in an ALLIED HEALTH discipline. Visit the School of Health Professions to view our programs.
- Enrolled in a Texas public, private or charter high school as a senior-level student during the Spring semester prior to program start.
- Will graduate from high school prior to the start of the SHP Summer Program.
- Accepted into a college or university as a college student during the Fall semester immediately following program conclusion. Preference for a 2-year institution leading to an application in a School of Health Professions program.
- U.S. Citizen, permanent resident, or work-eligible Visa Holders.
- Able to attend the entire program; attendees may be excused up to three days to attend new student orientation at their college or university with permission from BOTH the School of Health Professions and the attendee's mentor.
- Previous laboratory and/or research experience is recommended, but NOT required.
The review committee will evaluate each application for a demonstration of
- Academic achievement
- Leadership
- Scientific Aptitude
- Service to community and/or school
Stipend, Housing, and Expenses
Invitees receive a $6,000 stipend for their participation in the 10-week program ($5,400 if pariticating for 9 weeks). This compensation is meant to subsidize cost of living expenses for students and is considered income and subject to all applicable taxes and fees. All participants must secure their own housing and transportation for the duration of the program. Meals are the reponsibility of the participants unless otherwise noted in the Summer Experience program. Other expenses are the particpant's responsibility.
Application and Review Timeline
Nov. 1 Applications open.
Feb. 3 Applications close - no new applications accepted. All documents due for all applicants.
Feb. 4 Application review begins.
Feb. 14 Invitations sent.
Monday, June 5 Summer Program begins. for students graduating before June 5.
Monday, June 12 Summer Program begins for students graduating or or after June 5.
Friday, Aug. 11 Summer Program ends.
2023 Mentors
Hesham Amin, M.D.
Professor, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Qaiser Bashir, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine
George A Calin, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Co-Director, The RNA Interference and non-codingRNA Center
Co-Director, MD/PhD Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Ken Chen, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Division of Basic Science Research
Director of Bioinformatics, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Institute for Personalized Cancer Therapy
Patrick M. Dougherty, Ph.D.
H.E.B. Professor in Cancer Research, Department of Pain Medicine, Division of Anesthesiology and Critical Care
Jean-Berard Durand, M.D., FACP, FCCP, FACC, FHFSA
Professor, Department of Cardiology, Division of Internal Medicine
Guillermo Garcia-Manero, M.D.
Professor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine
Chief, Section of Myelodysplastic Syndromes, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicin
Deputy Chair, Translational Research, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine
Chair, Faculty Senate
Fellowship Program Director, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine
Georgios Karras, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research
Valerae O. Lewis, M.D.
Professor, Department of Orthopedic Oncology, Division of Surgery
Guojun Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery
Sue-Hwa Lin, M.D.
Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Guillermina Lozano, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research
Hubert L. Olive Stringer Distinguished Chair in Oncology in Honor of Sue Gribble Stringer, Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research
Huifang Lu, M.D.
Professor, Department of General Internal Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine, Section of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology
Sadhan Majumder, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Genetics, Division of Basic Science Research
Deputy Chair, Department of Genetics
Seyed Javad Moghaddam, M.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Division of Internal Medicine
Director, Immunology Graduate Program, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences
Guang Peng, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Cancer Prevention, Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
Victor G. Prieto, M.D., Ph.D.
Department Chair, Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Professor, Department of Pathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Pamela T. Soliman, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surger
Center Medical Director, Department of Gynecologic Oncology and Reproductive Medicine, Division of Surgery
Inpatient Excecutive Medical Director, Department of VPs Office, Division of Surgery
Jihong Wang, Ph.D., FAAPM
Professor, Department of Radiation Physics, Division of Radiation Oncology
Gary J. Whitman, M.D.
Professor with Tenure, Department of Breast Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
Medical Director, Mobile Mammography Program, Department of Breast Imaging, Division of Diagnostic Imaging
M. James You, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Deputy Department Chair, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Co-Director, Diagnostic Bone Marrow Laboratory, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Past Mentors
Jan A Burger, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Tenured, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine
Paul J. Chiao, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, Division of Basic Science Research
Vidya Gopalakrishnan, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics - Research, Division of Pediatrics
Kelly K. Hunt, M.D., FACS, FSSO
Professor & Chair, Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Division of Surgery
Hamill Foundation Distinguished Professorship in Honor of Dr. Richard G. Martin, Sr.
Steven M. Kornblau, M.D.
Professor, Department of Stem Cell Transplantation, Division of Cancer Medicine
Professor, Department of Leukemia, Division of Cancer Medicine
Stephen Y. Lai, M.D., Ph.D., FACS
Professor, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Division of Surgery
Zhongxing Liao, M.D.
Professor, Department of Radiation Oncology, Division of Radiation Oncology
Timothy J. McDonnell, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor with Tenure, Department of Hematopathology, Division of Pathology/Lab Medicine
Xiao Ni, M.D. ,Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Dermatology - Research, Division of Internal Medicine
Bulent Ozpolat, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Experimental Therapeutics, Division of Cancer Medicine
Maria E. Suarez-Almazor, MD, PhD
Barnts Family Distinguished Professor, Department of Health Services Research, Division of OVP, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences
Michael J. Tuvim, M.D.
Professor, Department of Pulmonary Medicine - Research, Division of Internal Medicine
Director of Laboratory Research, Department of Department of Pulmonary Medicine
Shuxing Zhang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Department of Experimental Therapeutics