The MD Anderson UPWARDS (Underserved Students Working Together Towards Research Diversity in Science) undergraduate academic year research training program will cultivate undergraduate underserved scientists with the goal of increasing diversity in biomedical graduate programs and in the cancer research workforce.

Accepted students will take part in a paid part-time year-long research experience at MD Anderson. Through this program, students will be paired with faculty mentors working in his/her lab gaining hands-on research experience, participate in didactic coursework and training, and receive mentoring to guide the trainee in their future academic and professional pursuits.

All trainees accepted into the program will be required to participate in monthly journal club meetings and up to two outreach events.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Accepted students will work with their faculty mentor to identify a research project that the trainee will focus upon on during the program. Trainees will learn new skills and techniques with guidance and support from their mentor. Trainees will participate in a semester long course on cancer biology taught by our research scientist. The culminating event will be an elevator speech competition held at the end of the school year.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Applications will be accepted from incoming undergraduate sophomores, incoming seniors who identify as an underserved students in science which economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, with disability and/or first-generation students. All applicants must be local to Houston as this will be an in-person/on-site program running from September 2024-May 2025.