1. Training & Education

Post-Baccalaureate Students

The University of Arizona Cancer Center prepares post-baccalaureate students to pursue doctoral degrees in cancer-related fields through The Diversity in Cancer Research Post-Baccalaureate Program. 

ACTIVITIES LED BY THE OFFICE OF CANCER RESEARCH TRAINING AND EDUCATION COORDINATION (CRTEC)

Diversity in Cancer Research Post-Baccalaureate Program - The University of Arizona Cancer Center was one of only 8 institutions to be sponsored by the American Cancer Society to launch the new Diversity in Cancer Research Post-Baccalaureate Program. This program will expand diversity in the cancer research workforce by increasing the number of under-represented minorities in the biomedical field. The goal of this program is to expose the participants to cancer research and provide career development activities that will help them prepare for a career in cancer research.

About the Program

The Diversity in Cancer Research Post-Baccaureate Program at UACC will offer a paid, two-year, full-time cancer research experience to individuals with a bachelor’s degree who intend to pursue a doctoral degree in biomedical science, a health profession, or in population health/public health (e.g., Ph.D., MD, DO, PharmD, DrPH). A high priority will be given to individuals from groups that are underrepresented in the cancer workforce.

Over the 24-month program, the four (4) participants who are selected will engage in:

  1. Mentored research experiences that teach them to identify and address important questions in the cancer field.
  2. Professional development workshops to enhance their competitiveness for doctoral degree programs.
  3. Seminars and graduate-level coursework through which they learn about cutting-edge cancer research.
  4. Networking activities building their connections to peers and role models in the cancer field.

Participants will have the opportunity to work with Cancer Center mentors including:

  1. Dr. Alicia Allen (Family and Community Medicine)
  2. Dr. Kirsten Limesand (Nutritional Sciences)
  3. Dr. Michael Marty (Chemistry and Biochemistry) 
  4. Dr. Travis Sawyer (Optical Sciences)
  5. Dr. Koenraad Van Doorslaer (Animal and Biomedical Sciences)

These faculty will support the participants in identifying a project that aligns with their general area of career interest and provides direct experience with the scientific process. The participants will develop a formal oral presentation of their research project to present at the UACC annual research retreat in their second year and at an end-of-program celebration.

Eligibility

  • Member of a group underrepresented in the cancer workforce
  • Bachelor's degree in any STEM discipline - 2.75 minimum GPA
  • Motivation to pursue a doctoral degree and a career in the cancer field
  • Commitment to participate in the program full-time

The program will start on July 31, 2023.

Applications are no longer being accepted for 2023.

For a copy of the flyer, click here. For more information, contact the Program Manager, Clinton Owner, at clintonowner@arizona.edu.