The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute-NIH Center of Excellence in Genomic Science (CEGS), which is funded by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), provides interdisciplinary research and training opportunities for students from underrepresented minority groups as part of our Minority Action Plan.

The DFCI CEGS Program offers a scientifically diversified training opportunity to recent college graduates and post-baccalaureate students who are preparing to apply to graduate programs in genomics or a related field. We also offer summer-only internships for undergraduate students. Our CEGS encompasses a collaboration of eight basic and clinical research groups from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Northeastern University.

The CEGS will examine the effects of genetic and environmental perturbations on human cellular networks using protein-protein interactions mapping, proteomic analysis, and transcriptional profiling. Our central hypothesis is that both human genetic variations and pathogens such as viruses induce “disease states” by influencing local and global properties of cellular networks.  Our overall goal in this proposal is to develop strategies to test this network hypothesis to probe the structure and dynamics of disease-related networks in response to exogenous perturbations.  The knowledge gained will be used to develop better models to interpret genome-wide genetic variations in the context of human disease.

It is now widely accepted that the traditional approach of “one gene at-a-time” in biology should be combined with genomic approaches and more integrative, systems biology approaches.  Our CEGS Post-Baccalaureate Program will provide a rich, unique and rewarding training environment to introduce students and fellows to this new and rapidly evolving field of biological research.  Each of the participants will be rigorously exposed to an interdisciplinary set of skills and scientific disciplines.  While any one trainee may choose an experimentalist approach to studying genomes and genome biology or a computational and integrative systems approach, all trainees will participate in and be exposed to the full range of technologies, concepts and disciplines employed in this CEGS.

Under the guidance of CEGS scientists, Post-Bac trainees will participate in a 2-year research program where they will conduct cutting edge research in the field of functional genomics. The goal of our Program is to teach and mentor young scientists how to apply emerging technology in genomics and proteomics to the study of interactome networks and how perturbations of these networks contribute to disease.  Program participants will access multiple research environments and gain experience in the following research areas: proteomics, gene expression analysis, protein interaction mapping, bioinformatics, computational biology and laboratory automation. Graduates of the Post-Bac Programs will be expected to enroll in competitive graduate schools with the goal of developing a career in the genomic sciences.

Program Benefits for Post-Bac trainees: Competitive salary including benefits; Tuition Reimbursement; Scientific and Professional Development Seminars; GRE preparation

Eligibility: Applicants must (A) be a US citizen or permanent resident; (B) be a member of an underrepresented minority group in genomic science (African-American, Hispanic, Native American, or Alaskan Native, Pacific Islander); (C) obtained a BS/BA with in the past year or be an undergraduate interested in the summer-only experience; (D) have a competitive academic record; (E) Significant research experience (honors thesis or summer research); (F) Able to make a two year commitment to the program or be an undergraduate interested in the summer-only experience.

Application: Click here for the application. Application packets must include (A) official copies of academic transcripts for all college and post-baccalaureate work completed; (B) two letters of recommendation; (C) 800 to 900 word essay; (D) a résumé.

Questions? For further information or questions, please contact Karen Burns White by email: karen_burnswhite@dfci.harvard.edu