Center InitiativesInitiative to Eliminate Cancer DisparitiesStudent TrainingCURE Frequently Asked Questions
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What is DF/HCC?
- DF/HCC is a comprehensive cancer center designated by the National Cancer Institute and is the first collaborative effort to bring together the intellectual resources of the seven institutions to focus on one mission—the eradication of cancer.
- The CURE program is housed within the DF/HCC’s Initiative to Eliminate Cancer Disparities that uses an integrative approach to focus on disparities reduction throughout all aspects of DF/HCC structure and activities, through facilitation of clinical trials recruitment efforts, conduct of original research focused on new discovery related to understanding the causes of and solutions to cancer disparities, as well as development of increased faculty and trainee diversity. The CURE program is designed to introduce student participants to the exciting world of cancer research at our 7 partner institutions.
Will I be working on a project that I want to develop/continue or will it be one that is assigned?
- Most projects are a subset of a larger project. They are usually specially designed and developed by mentors.
At which institutions will I be able to work?
- Our partner institutions include Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Beth-Israel Deaconess Hospital, Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health.
What is this program about? Is it just for students interested in cancer or any kind of disease?
- Students applying to CURE need not have had any prior research experience. You are not required to demonstrate prior interest in cancer research either or any one particular disease; instead, this is an opportunity to be involved in new types of research conducted at DF/HCC partner institutions.
- For further information about what previous students have done, please click here (pdf) to view the Scientific Presentations Bulletin from Summer 2006
What are the potential areas of research/departments where I will be working?
- Students can be assigned to a variety of oncology related environments across the basic, clinical and population science research spectrum.
Is there an example of a typical program schedule?
- Students begin their experience with a one-week comprehensive orientation. Participants spend 4-5 full-time days per week in their research environments. On some Friday afternoons, students attend scientific and professional development seminars. Students might also tour various biomedical companies, animal research facilities and medical simulation labs.
- Networking and a variety of social activities are also scheduled throughout the research experience.
How are presenters for the weekly seminars chosen?
- Most of the presenters are Harvard faculty and have indicated an interest in engaging with students participating in the program. In addition, we seek input from our current and past student participants to determine additional areas of interest.
How are mentors paired with students? Can students request to work in particular departments?
- Every attempt is made to match students and mentors who have similar research interests. We will also consider special requests to work in particular cancer-related departments; however, all participating mentors must be DF/HCC members. It is helpful for the student to be as specific as possible when listing areas of research interest in their application.
Is my project in the research environment supposed to be completed by the end of the program?
- CURE students are required to present their research findings, whether complete or incomplete, to colleagues and researchers at the end of the summer, and periodically during the 2 year program. Students may follow up with their mentors later on to get periodic updates regarding the research they participated in.
Is there an opportunity to continue research past the summer experience with my mentor (if I am not enrolled in the 2 year program)?
- Limited spaces are available for students interested in the 2 year program. Students selected for a summer-only experience should feel free to communicate their interest of continuing their research directly with their mentor and the CURE Program Director.
Do all students have the same research project?
- Students are paired up individually with different mentors. Research may sometimes be similar but students do not work in the same research environment together since CURE focuses on developing an individual research experience.
How does the 2 year program work? Must students work 40 hours during the academic year too?
- The dual year CURE program provides students with a mentored research setting during the first summer, followed by a part-time (less than 10 hrs per week) continuum of activities throughout the academic school-year. Students return to a full-time experience the following summer and complete the 2 year program during the spring of the 2nd year.
If I apply for the summer-only experience, can I re-apply for the 2 year experience?
If I go to college out of state or out of Boston, can I be in the 2 year program?
- Students in the 2 year program must be able to attend a mandatory bimonthly session during the school year that is held in Boston.
Will there be housing accommodations for students from outside Boston? If not, is there assistance in arranging housing?
- Housing is not provided for students—it is the student’s responsibility to acquire his or her own housing. You may look up housing summer sublets at craigslist.
Are there networking opportunities?
- There are ample networking opportunities for students—as part of their research internship, they must attend weekly seminars/lectures given by prominent researchers and physicians. Students are also highly encouraged to network within their own department and seek out opportunities for themselves—former students have shadowed doctors, observed surgeries etc in the past because of the networks they built over the summer.
What have CURE alumni done after graduating from the program?
- Please see the testimonials section for further information.
Does CURE aid student participants in submitting abstracts and projects to different symposiums?
Is there a stipend, and if so how much?
- CURE funding sources often vary from year to year because of varying grants. As a result, the amount of the stipend is determined at the start of each program year. A stipend is provided on a weekly basis.
What are the start/end dates for the summer program?
- Students must be fully committed to CURE from June 22, 2009 through August 21, 2009.
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