Penn Access Summer Scholars at the ACC

ACC-PASS

The ACC has partnered with the Perelman School of Medicine (PSOM) Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) program to offer undergraduate students a 10-week cancer-related summer research experience. Funded by the American Cancer Society, the Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Internship aims to increase diversity in the cancer workforce by prioritizing students of racial and/or ethnic minority groups, first-generation and/or low socioeconomic backgrounds, and/or with disabilities. ACC Founding Associate Director of Diversity and Outreach, Carmen Guerra, MD, MSCE, FACP, leads this initiative.
 
Candidates for the ACS DICR Internship are matriculants of the following PASS partnering institutions in addition to Penn: Haverford College, Howard University, Morehouse College, Oakwood University, Princeton University, Spelman College, and Xavier University of Louisiana.  Those nominated by their home institutions show a strong interest in pursuing medical studies, hold a science and cumulative GPA of 3.6 or higher, and demonstrate a high level of leadership qualities. 
 
In partnership with the PASS program, students selected for the ACS DICR Internship are committed to two consecutive summers of graduate-level research and career development at Penn. While on campus, they experience:
  • 2-week Introduction to Cancer Research seminar with Penn faculty
  • 30 hour/week research experience in the laboratory of an ACC member
  • weekly enrichment activities geared toward career development and creating a physician identity
  • individualized mentoring
  • project presentation opportunities
  • networking opportunities with additional  summer undergraduates in the Perelman School of Medicine and across the Penn campus
  • mentorship of high school students in ACC programs
  • social activities with American Cancer Society interns at all levels at the ACC

HOW TO APPLY:
For more information, and to apply, interested students should contact their health professions advising office or the program director for students in the STEMM Prep.

DATES:
The upcoming program dates are May 20 to July 26, 2024.

 

QUESTIONS:
To learn more about the program, please contact:
Cauleen Noël, PhD
Administrative Director
ACC Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC).