Summer Program in Cancer Research

Undergraduate Research Focused on Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics

The Department of Epigenetics and Molecular Carcinogenesis (EMC) along with partners in the Departments of Genetics and Pediatrics-Research, holds a 10-week, National Institutes of Health/National Cancer Institute-sponsored, Summer Program in Cancer Research (SPCR). This program provides an authentic research experience for outstanding undergraduate students considering careers in biomedical research. This highly competitive program routinely receives over 100 applications for a limited number of positions.

Our faculty's research strengths include: cancer genetics and epigenetics; cell growth control, genome maintenance and DNA repair; stem cells; immunology, cancer therapeutics, and computational and systems biology. Faculty laboratories are located on both the North and South campuses of MD Anderson. In both locations, students will have access to state-the-art resources and knowledgeable staff while performing cutting-edge cancer research.

Students selected for the NIH/NCI R25-supported SPCR undertake hypothesis-driven, project-based investigations and attend a weekly lunch lecture series covering topics such as DNA structure and repair, epigenetics, stem cells, signal transduction and apoptosis, and emerging analytical techniques. Other program activities include social events designed to integrate summer interns into the research community, as well as tours of the MD Anderson Houston and Bastrop campuses. The program culminates in the SPCR Scientific Symposium, during which interns present their research by describing their research hypotheses, approaches and results. It is not uncommon for students to make significant research contributions and to earn co-authorship on scientific abstracts and manuscripts.

Accepted students will take part in a paid/full-time (40 hours a week) on-campus summer research experience at MD Anderson. Through this experience, students will be paired with a faculty member and that faculty member's lab and will gain hands-on research experience, participate in didactic coursework and training, and receive mentoring to guide you in your future academic and professional pursuits. Students will attend scientific lectures, seminars and career development events, and will have the opportunity to present their work at an MD Anderson CATALYST Program-wide poster session, in addition to the SPCR program presentations at the conclusion of the 10-week experience. Students cannot earn credit from their home institutions for participating in this R25-sponsored program.

Additional information about the program, including student eligibility requirements and how to apply can be found below.

2023 Summer Program in Cancer Research poster session

Summer Program in Cancer Research (SPCR)

Program Dates:
06/02/2025 - 08/08/2025

Cartoon depiction of chromatin compaction from double-stranded DNA, to nucleosomes, to chromosomes, showing epigenetic modifications to DNA, i.e. methylation (Me), and to histones, i.e. acetylation (Ac), phosphorylation (PO4), ubiquitination (Ub) and methylation.

Program Details

Application Deadlines

The Summer Program in Cancer Research, is one of many programs falling under the MD Anderson "CATALYST" umbrella of programs, which have a uniform application process. Applications for the 2025 program have now closed.The 2025 Program will be held June 2, 2025 through August 8, 2025.

The following information is required to apply:

Personal information
Résumé
Official transcript(s) from undergraduate university
Statement of research experience and area(s) of research interest.
(In addition to describing your prior research experience, please use this section to highlight the specific research areas you would like to explore and/or the name of the faculty member you would like as a mentor. If you do not have any research experience, please describe your interest in pursuing an academic and/or professional career in cancer research.)
Two letters of recommendation. One letter must come from a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) professor. Both letters must be submitted by your references directly to SLATE (see below).

Once you submit your application, you will be prompted to create a SLATE account where you may add contact information for your references. Once this information is added, your references will receive an email asking them to upload their letter to the portal. Applications must be completed and submitted before the deadline that will be announced soon.

Incomplete applications will be purged after the deadline has passed.

If this information did not provide the answers you need, please contact us at: SPCR@mdanderson.org

Eligibility

Must have one of the following designations for the spring semester of the program year:
- Undergraduate freshman
- Undergraduate sophomore
- Undergraduate junior
Must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at a degree-granting institution within the United States, during the spring and fall semesters of the application year.
Must commit to the full 10-week program and not be involved in other summer employment, programs or course work; must not plan to return to school prior to the end of the summer program; and must not plan to take any personal vacation or make other commitments during the summer program.
Summer program awardees are strictly prohibited from partial, early or late program participation. Please consult with your school, academic advisor, or P.I. to ensure that there is no conflict in schedule before you apply to this program.
MD Anderson's normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Exact intern work schedules will be subject to their mentors' needs and expectations.

The following applicants are NOT eligible:

Undergraduate seniors (graduating in spring of the Program year).
High school students.
Students who are taking a year off from school or who are in a gap year.

Stipend, Housing, Expenses

Students will receive up to $6,800 in support over the 10-week training period. Students are expected to pay for their expenses, including housing, using these funds. Paychecks and stipend are based on actual days worked and will be issued on the 5th and the 20th of each month, deducting the required federal tax.

MD Anderson is located in Houston, in the heart of the Texas Medical Center. There is no on-site summer student housing. Housing options include extended-stay hotels, short term rentals like AirBnB, and other private and commercial rentals. Many public transportation options are available for those without vehicles.Although staff can assist in finding housing, arranging and paying for housing and transportation are the responsibility of the applicant.

Mentor Match Process

Students with interests in a specific scientific research project should include this information in the Personal Statement area of the application. Although we make every attempt to match students with mentors in accordance with the students' declared interests, matches are based on faculty availability and prefered matches may not be feasible in all circumstances.