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ITERT Undergraduate Summer Research Training

The Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (TMP) offers a summer research experience through its Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training (ITERT) program to outstanding students interested in exploring careers in translational oncology research.

The mission of TMP is focused on three goals:

Discovery of novel molecular targets for chemoprevention and treatment
Development and validation of biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of response/resistance to treatment
Transition of assays developed in the department into the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) environment

TMP aims to achieve this mission through thematic translational research and preclinical molecular pathology research in different cancer types such as brain, pancreatic, breast, melanoma, colon and lung.

The program includes the following activities:

Hands-on research experience mentored by world-class faculty members in a laboratory setting
Participation in lectures and workshops offered by the MD Anderson Summer Experience program
Participation in training and programs specific to ITERT:
- Journal club, which gives trainees exposure to a variety of study designs and model systems and promotes critical appraisal skills of evidence presented
- Technical workshops with a focus on themes that are fundamental in the clinical history of cancer development and progression, beginning with early detection and surveillance and ending with late-stage disease, metastasis and survivorship
Opportunity to present research findings to peers and faculty during a poster presentation

Eligibility & Requirements

Students who have completed at least their freshman year of college and are in good academic standing are eligible to apply. Applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the United States and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student on F1 or J1 visa to apply.

Dates & Work Schedule

Summer Experience 2022 will take place from June 6 through August 12, 2022.
MD Anderson's normal hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Exact work schedules are subject to the mentor’s needs and expectations.
Considering the current circumstances around the Covid-19 pandemic, the program may be offered in remote or hybrid learning formats in the FY22 summer internship cohort. Selected interns will be notified of any programmatic changes as soon as possible.

Mentor Matching

Students who have an interest in working with a particular TMP faculty member or in a specific research or project area are encouraged to include this information in the application. While we attempt to match students with mentors in accordance with declared interests, this is based on faculty availability and may not be feasible in all circumstances.

Stipend

No stipend is being provided for the Summer 2022.

Stipend will be provided based on the availability of funds

Application Information

You may apply starting November 1, 2021 through Discover. Applications will be accepted through Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. CST.

The following information will be required on the application:

Personal information, including contact information and mailing address
Transcripts from high school and undergraduate universities
Personal Statement
Two letters of reference with contact information (At least one reference should come from a science or math professor. The other may be from an advisor, counselor or health care advisor/mentor with whom you worked in a prior program during the past four years.)

Applications must be completed and submitted before the above deadline. Incomplete applications will be purged after the deadline has passed.

If the information found here did not provide the answers you need, check with us to find out the answers to your questions.

ITERT Summer Program Contacts

Program contacts:

Petra den Hollander, Ph.D.
Instructor
Translational Molecular Pathology
PDHollander@mdanderson.org

Khalida Wani, Ph.D.
Laboratory Manager
Translational Molecular Pathology
KWani@mdanderson.org