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CPRTP Summer Activities, Events & Resources

2019 Final Summer Event

The Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP) Summer Research Experience is built around a rich lineup of educational and career development activities that help students learn to think like scientists. Through hands‑on learning, interactive seminars, and skill‑building workshops, students develop the curiosity, critical thinking, and communication skills that define successful researchers in cancer prevention.

Throughout the summer, students explore current and emerging topics in cancer prevention while learning how scientific questions are asked, evidence is evaluated, and research findings are translated into real‑world impact. Just as importantly, interns connect with other MD Anderson summer students who share their interests, forming a vibrant learning community.

Scientific Skills in Action

CPRTP summer students participate in interactive sessions focused on cancer prevention and control, risk assessment, survivorship, and patient care. Students are paired with professional development workshops that reinforce the habits of mind scientists use every day. Topics include scientific and professional email etiquette, building strong mentoring relationships, navigating failure, developing resilience, and addressing imposter phenomenon.

Through these activities, students practice essential scientific skills such as:

Conducting informational interviews with researchers and administrators
Listening critically and contributing thoughtfully to group discussions
Formally introducing speakers and facilitating dialogue
Synthesizing complex ideas into a clear, compelling 90‑second elevator speech by the end of the program

These experiences help students move beyond learning about science to thinking, communicating, and problem‑solving like scientists.

Learning Across Disciplines

Because CPRTP trainees engage in a wide range of research areas, including bench, behavioral, quantitative, and population sciences, students gain a deeper appreciation for how diverse disciplines work together in cancer prevention. By learning from one another’s projects, interns see how scientific ideas connect across fields and how collaboration drives innovation.

By the end of the summer, students leave CPRTP with more than research experience. They leave with a scientist’s mindset, a supportive professional network, and the confidence to take the next step in their academic and career journey.

CPRTP Summer Trainees in Action

CPRTP Summer Interns (2017) at Houston PRIDE

CPRTP Summer alum (2018), Kenda Al-Assi and her mentor, Dr. Manal Hassan, Epidemiology

CPRTP Summer alum (2010), Saviour Achilike, MD

CPRTP Summer alum (2015), Michael Robertson, PhD, receives the 2019 Outstanding Research Trainee Award from Dr. Ernest Hawk, VP of

CPRTP Summer Trainee Exposition Poster Presentation

CPRTP Summer alums (2018), left to right: Anita Akinyemi, Ashlynn McCall, Princess Ekpo, Connie Okon, and Brianna Brown.

MD Anderson CATALYST Summer Lecture Series (2024)

Summer Activities Overview

MD Anderson CATALYST and CPRTP Summer Program Overview

The CPRTP Summer Program, as part of the MD Anderson CATALYST Training Program, offers a comprehensive, engaging experience for interns to develop their cancer research, prevention, and professional growth skills. Participants will attend a mix of in-person and virtual events, gain exposure to various departmental activities, and have opportunities to network with mentors, faculty, and peers. The program emphasizes personal and professional development through required workshops, seminars, and assignments, while also encouraging student-led activities like shadowing and journal clubs. With structured onboarding, detailed schedules, and mandatory weekly events, interns will stay organized and fully immersed in their learning experience throughout the summer

Activities Calendars

Interns will receive an activities calendar from the CPRTP Program Manager by May 31. After the start of the program, the CPRTP Program Manager will send MS Outlook calendar invitations for all events. Interns will use MS Outlook to organize each workday. MS Outlook is only accessible via the MD Anderson network and cannot be accessed from a personal computer, phone, or tablet.

Event Locations

CATALYST events will be held in person on campus unless stated otherwise. Check the event schedule in MS Teams for specific dates, times, and locations. CPRTP events will feature a mix of in-person and virtual sessions. CPRTP Orientation I and II in the first week, along with the Summer Trainee Exposition in week 10, will take place in person. All other CPRTP-sponsored events, such as Career Conversations and Career Development Sessions, will be conducted via Zoom.

Recorded Events

CPRTP virtual events will be recorded and shared on Teams. Interns should refer to the CATALYST event schedule in Teams to see if hybrid options are available and if virtual events will be recorded.

Dress Code & Event Attire

Dress Code

Students are encouraged to dress in business casual attire during the week and professional attire during final presentations in Week 10.

Acceptable attire

Trousers/slacks/khakis/pants
Knee-length skirts
Casual dresses (short or long sleeved)
Polo or button-down shirts/blouses
Blazers/sweaters, pashminas, jackets
Shoes that cover most of your feet

Unacceptable attire

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

Building temperatures: Most thermostats within MD Anderson 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.

Event Attire

Students should dress in professional attire during both the CPRTP Summer Trainee Exposition and CATALYST Poster Symposium. Professional attire is defined as clothing worn on a job interview. Options include suits, dress shirts or blouses (long or short sleeve), slacks/trousers, ties (including bow), vests, dresses (knee length, long, or A-line), skirts (knee length or long), and comfortable dress shoes.

Week One

Program Format & Events

Most MD Anderson CATALYST events are held in person, with select sessions offering a hybrid option. Be sure to review the CATALYST Event Schedule for up‑to‑date dates, times, and locations.

With the exception of CPRTP Orientation, all CPRTP summer programming is delivered virtually via Zoom, including the CPRTP Summer Exposition.

Enrichment & Professional Development

Throughout the program, summer interns are encouraged to actively engage in departmental and professional development activities. In addition to program requirements, students may use their free time to:

Shadow faculty members or postdoctoral fellows
Meet one‑on‑one with mentors
Conduct informational interviews
Form journal clubs with fellow trainees
Explore resources available through the MD Anderson Research Medical Library

These opportunities are designed to help interns broaden their research exposure and build meaningful professional connections.

Required Onboarding & Scheduling Expectations

CPRTP Summer interns are required to complete time-sensitive documents and pre-onboarding requirements prior to the start of the program (i.e., May 1 through May 30).

During this time, students will receive:

A detailed activities calendar (example).
A photo roster of the CPRTP summer cohort (see past rosters).
Other details regarding orientation during week one.

Program Timeline & Key Activities

Pre‑Summer Activities

These mandatory tasks must be completed on the due dates provided in May before program start. Failure to complete these steps may delay your internship start date.

Appointment Letter (students must accept their official offer of appointment)
Section 1 of the electronic I-9 form
Complete IMT and all applicable contengencies
Electronic Pre-Check Forms
Virtual Onboarding Session (via Zoom)
Pre‑Summer CPRTP Summer Evaluation in Redcap

Week One Activities

These mandatory activities will take place on campus.

RTP Check‑In
- Pick up ID badge
- Complete Section 2 of the I‑9 Verification Process
CATALYST Welcome Event
CATALYST Cancer Biology Bootcamp
CPRTP Summer Orientation
- (Part 1 of 2) Tuesday: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- (Part 2 of 2) Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Students will also receive instructions from the Program Manager for picking up their laptop during CPRTP orientation.
CPRTP Summer students will report to the department of their mentor beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Thursday (or the time specified by the mentor).

Weekly Events

CPRTP Recurring Weekly Events

CPRTP Summer Career Conversations: Tuesdays, Noon–1 p.m. (Weeks 1 - 5)
Cancer Prevention Professional Development Sessions: Wednesdays or Thursdays, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Cancer Prevention & Control Grand Rounds (CPCGR): Thursdays, Noon–1 p.m. (Every Friday)
CPCGR Meet-the-Speaker Trainee Brown Bag: Thursdays, 1:05–2 p.m. (Every Friday)

Assignments & Evals

CPRTP Required Assignments

Informational Interviews
Educational Abstract
Elevator Speech (written draft)
Scientific Poster

CPRTP Redcap Evaluations

Pre-Summer Evaluation (the last week of May)
Summer Evaluation (early-July)
End-of-Summer Evaluation (during week 10)

Final Presentations & Exit

Celebrate the Finish: Final Week Research Showcases

The 10‑week summer research experience culminates in two signature events during the program’s final week, giving interns the opportunity to showcase their work, sharpen communication skills, and celebrate everything they’ve accomplished.

CPRTP Summer Trainee Exposition

Last Tuesday of Week 10 | Virtual on Zoom

The CPRTP Summer Trainee Exposition is a dynamic, fast‑paced virtual showcase hosted by the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP). During this 60‑minute event, interns refine their oral presentation skills by delivering a focused 90‑second elevator pitch that highlights their summer cancer prevention research project.

Presentations are delivered in alphabetical order by last name and are attended by fellow interns, mentors, faculty members, research teams, department staff, and invited guests. This event offers a supportive environment for students to practice concise scientific storytelling to lay audiences and make a strong professional impression.

CPRTP Summer interns will receive two (2) unique Elevator Speech trainings in July: Part A-Basics and Structure and Part B- Styling and Presentation.

CATALYST Poster Symposium

Week 10 | Wednesday or Thursday

The CATALYST Poster Symposium provides interns with the opportunity to present their research in a scientific poster format and engage in meaningful discussion with the broader cancer research community. This interactive event allows students to share insights and next steps, answer questions, and reflect on their summer cancer research experience.

Symposium details, including the date, time, and location, will be shared by the CATALYST team.

Internship Conclusion & Next Steps

At the conclusion of the internship, students will receive an email with instructions to begin the online exit check‑out process. This process must be completed in full and includes submitting a permanent mailing address, which MD Anderson Human Resources will use to mail IRS W‑2 tax forms.

Local students (i.e., students living in and attending school in the Houston area) who wish to continue working with their mentor after the summer program may have their fellowship extended, either compensated or uncompensated, at the discretion of the mentor and supported by the mentor’s funding sources. Please note that CPRTP cannot provide compensation beyond the program end date through the NCI grant. We regret that out-of-state students are not permitted to extend their internship.

Eligible students interested in extending their research experience should contact their mentor by July 1 to begin the extension process. Mentors are encouraged to work with their department’s RTP coordinator for guidance on next steps. Be sure to contact the CPRTP Program Manager to inform them of the extension, and note that the CPRTP is not involved in the appointment extension/reappointment process.