Two student interns looking and pointing at a poster presentation.
Two student interns looking and pointing at a poster presentation.

Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Internship

This DICR program, sponsored by the American Cancer Society and Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio, is open to rising college sophomores, juniors and seniors who are obtaining a STEM college degree. The Internship program is designed to provide a cancer research experience for under-represented minority (URM) undergraduate students with the goal of increasing their awareness of cancer research career opportunities.

Quick Facts

  • Summer Program Dates: June 3, 2024-August 9, 2024
  • Stipend: $5,000
  • Program Focus: Cancer Research
  • Eligible Universities: The University of Texas at San Antonio, St․ Mary’s University, and the University of the Incarnate Word
  • Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

Program Overview

The goal of the Diversity in Cancer Research Internship Program is to motivate and educate the next generation of oncology research physicians and scientists for the development of novel strategies in the prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer. 

A group photo of Mays Cancer Center American Cancer Center Society trainees
2023 Mays Cancer Center American Cancer Society Trainees

Program Details 

  • 10-week full-time research program for undergraduate students in partnership with the University of Texas at San Antonio, St․Mary’s University and the University of the Incarnate Word․
  • This program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students engaged in basic, translational and population-based biomedical cancer research by providing a rich training environment for promising. undergraduates who are currently enrolled at Hispanic Serving Institutions in the San Antonio, Texas area․
  • This program matches students with funded Mays Cancer Center researchers․ 
  • Participants will engage in research with an ongoing cancer research project, learn new laboratory techniques, and attend enrichment seminars․ 
  • At the conclusion of the summer program, students will present their summer work at a poster session followed by an award reception.

Benefits

  • They will be encouraged to attend and present at the annual Mays Cancer Center Annual Research Symposium to be held in February 2024.
  • They will be provided an opportunity to attend additional symposiums that the Mays Cancer Center and Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences supports.
  • Students will be eligible to take advantage of online training opportunities and have access to the Graduate School for Biomedical Sciences Office of Student Success, which helps with the preparation of student curriculum vitae’s as well as other documents.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Rising College sophomores, juniors or seniors at time of application.

  • Applicants in the summer program must be attending one of the collaborating institutions, be in good standing at the designated institutions, commit to attending to all ten weeks (vacations should not be planned during this period and sick leave is not paid).

  • Ideal candidates should have an interest in developing a career in biomedical science or medicine, with an emphasis on cancer․

  • For those whose hometown is outside of San Antonio, partial support for living arrangements will be provided. 

  • We are only accepting applicants from underrepresented minorities who are seeking a STEM degree. Applications are encouraged from any individual with demonstrated commitment to increase the full participation of underrepresented groups in biomedicine. Learn more.

*The National Science Foundation reports that certain racial and ethnic groups are under-represented at many career stages in health-related sciences, particularly people from these populations: African American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Indian and Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander groups. Collectively, these groups are considered under-represented minorities (URM) in science. Learn more about why diversity in cancer research is needed.

How to Apply

Application requirements              

  • Online application (opens late fall)
  • Unofficial transcript
  • 2 letters of recommendation (1 must be from a university Science Professor)
  • Personal statement (1-page limit)
  • Resume or curriculum vitae

Questions and more information 

Email: Eva Garcia-Rodriguez at garciaee@uthscsa.edu․

American Cancer Society logo in red and blue with the tagline, "Every cancer. Every person"