Education and Training Programs Promoting Diversity in Cancer Research

The following programs are part of the Penn community and designed to attract, support and retain students and trainees of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds in science and medicine. While some of the listed programs are directly linked to cancer research, others offer a broader focus in which cancer research could be included.

Opportunities for Middle- and High School Students and Teachers

• American Cancer Society (ACS) Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology
  The Abramson Cancer Center has partnered with the ACS Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) to provide underserved high school students a 2-week introduction into careers in cancer. Application is required. Please contact Cauleen Noël or Penn.SHE@pennmedicine.upenn.edu for more information.
• Teachers Institute of Philadelphia (TIP)
  A program for Philadelphia public school teachers to participate in semester-long seminars taught by university professors and then write a unique curriculum unit based on what they learn. The Abramson Cancer Center has partnered with TIP to offer a 15-week seminar on cancer. Contact Cauleen Noël if you would like to become involved in the ACC course.

Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

• Basser Center Underrepresented Minority Summer Internship
  This internship comprises an 8-week program in genetics for four undergraduate students who are of backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in the medical profession. Contact Beth Stearman for more information. Application deadline: March.
• Johnson Scholars Program for Penn Undergraduate Students
  A progressive, 4-year set of tiered mentoring, advising and enrichment experiences for Penn undergraduates of underrepresented background interested in pursuing medicine. The program collaborates with the Makuu Black Cultural Center and La Casa Latina. Contact the PSOM Office of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity for more information.
• Penn Access Summer Scholars (PASS) Program for Undergraduates
  The PASS program offers underrepresented minority undergraduate students from partnering institutions two summers of research on the Penn campus to prepare them for medical school. The Abramson Cancer Center sponsors two PASS undergraduates per cohort who are interested in pursuing cancer-related research. If you are an ACC member interested in hosting and/or mentoring a PASS student, contact Cauleen Noël for more information.
• Perelman School of Medicine IDEAL (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Learner) Research
  This program supports a diverse community of learners by cultivating a culture of equitable inclusivity across all PSOM education program. IDEAL offers a variety of programs, including the 5-week seminar series Paths to PhD Programs in the Biosciences, and the highly successful Summer Undergraduate Internship Program (SUIP) and PennPREP (Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program). Contact IDEAL Research for more information.
• Summer Undergraduate Program for Educating Radiation Scientists (SUPERS)
  A 10-week summer research program for undergraduate students hosted by the Department of Radiation Oncology with emphasis on recruiting a diverse community. Applications due annually in early February. Contact SUPERS for more information.
• Swarthmore Student Scholars Program (S3P)
  The Abramson Cancer Center has partnered with the S3P to offer Swarthmore undergraduates of first-generation and/or underrepresented background and/or disadvantaged status an 8-week summer research experience in a cancer-focused laboratory. Please contact Cauleen Noël if you are an ACC member interested in hosting and mentoring a S3P student.

Opportunities for Medical and Graduate Students

• Hematology-Oncology Summer Research Program for Students Underrepresented in Medicine at Penn
  Contact: Dr. Erin Aakhus. View the 2021 Program Announcement. Application Deadline: early March.

Opportunities for Postdoctoral Fellows and Graduate Medical Education

• ACC-Hematology-Oncology Fellowship Track
  Program leaders actively seek to recruit, mentor, and retain candidates of diverse racial, ethnic, and gender identities. Please contact the department to learn more.

Opportunities for Faculty

• Edward Cooper Leadership Development Program
  An intensive three-day leadership development program funded by the PSOM Office of Inclusion and Diversity and the University of Pennsylvania’s Office of the Vice Provost for Faculty. It is organized by Dr. Carmen Guerra, held biennially at the Wharton School, and available to diverse faculty at PSOM.