ITERT - STEP (STEM Training and Education Program)

The Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (TMP) offers a summer research training program for undergraduates through its Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training (ITERT) core to outstanding students interested in exploring research careers in translational molecular pathology. Our goal is to train motivated students towards advanced careers in biomedical research and provide a supportive learning environment for them as they participate, in real-time cutting-edge research within a cross-section of the academic pipeline continuum at ITERT.  Our efforts in this context are geared to foster an interest in the scientific method and assist students in identifying career choices within STEM fields through defined skills programming, awareness workshops and individualized career support during- and post-program through our extended ITERT Mentoring Network. Our education and training program includes two research tracks 1): General Translational  Oncology Research Track and 2): Pancreatic Cancer Research Track. ITERT STEP is supported by NCI funding. 

TMP is focused on three goals:

1. Discovery of novel molecular targets for chemoprevention and treatment
   
2. Development and validation of biomarkers for diagnosis and prediction of response/resistance to treatment
   
3. 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, prostate and lung. TMP also houses expertise in data science and AI in pathology research with research training opportunities within these fields. 

The program includes the following activities:

1. Research Skills Development: Hands-on research experience in translational oncology mentored by world-class faculty members in a laboratory setting which will culminate in a formal research presentation to faculty and peers during program graduation.
2. Career Programming 
   a) Interactive Professional Development Workshop Series: exposure to critical appraisal skills, and professional career skills training including fundamental principles governing planning, experimentation and reporting in science, IDP and CV building, communication skills and networking how-to’s.
   b) Auditing a graduate level University of Texas course - Clinical Perspectives for a Basic Scientist focused on themes fundamental to the clinical history of cancer development and progression, beginning with early detection and surveillance and ending with late-stage disease, metastasis and survivorship.
   c) National symposium focused on career paths in biomedical sciences, and transferrable skills for academic and non-academic career track
3. Peer Support Groups: Engagement within a supportive learning community in a formal support group led by ITERT Program Directors and Senior Research Scientists at TMP. 
4. Trainee Networking and Social Events.