NU-CURE: Cancer-Focused Undergraduate Research Experience
Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center & Northwestern University Summer Undergraduate Research Program
We invite underserved undergraduate students interested in biomedical sciences to participate in leading-edge cancer research and career exploration at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University. Participants will spend 8 weeks working full-time (35-40 hours/week) alongside top cancer researchers in state-of-the-art laboratories and help advance novel research projects in cell and molecular biology, cancer immunology, metabolism, clinical investigation, developmental therapeutics, genomics, population science, health disparities and other focus areas. Students will learn key principles of cancer biology and laboratory investigation, gain hands-on laboratory experience, participate in introductory bioinformatics training, explore possible career paths, develop presentation skills and receive career guidance through program seminars, workshops and activities, individual mentoring, and ongoing interactions with multidisciplinary researchers, students and colleagues in the Northwestern community.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Standing as college freshmen, sophomore, junior or senior students in September 2023.
- Demonstrated interest in the biological sciences with a strong record of academic achievement.
- Able to commit to 8 full weeks of programming
- Preference is given to students who meet NIH criteria for one of the following (see the NIH website for definitions)
- Underserved in biomedical science (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian)
- Disabled
- Disadvantaged
Program Information
Dates: The 2022 CURE program will begin on June 12, 2023 and conclude on August 4, 2023.
Stipend: Participants in the CURE program receive a taxable stipend of $5,000.
Housing and transportation: Students are responsible for arranging their own housing and transportation to campus each day. Trainees may be assigned to laboratories on either the Chicago or Evanston campuses, which are connected by a free shuttle bus. The CURE program is unable to provide student housing for the 2023 program.
Admission
Admission to the program is highly selective and based upon interest in the program, personal qualifications, academic achievement, letters of recommendation and space available. Mentors are assigned based on interests stated in the application (see below) and availability.
To apply:
- Your complete application and 2 letters of recommendation must be received by midnight on March 1, 2023.
- Complete the CURE online application
Commitment deadline: April 1, 2023
Program dates: June 12 - August 4, 2023
Contact Us
CUREprogram@northwestern.edu
Director, Gina Kirsammer, PhD
Co-Director, Sara Duffey, MSW