We invite you to watch this video about the Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) summer program at the University of Illinois Cancer Center.
Through funding from the American Cancer Society, DICR is a 10-week summer program that trains and mentors underrepresented minority undergraduate students interested in careers focusing on cancer research and other health professions. More information is available on the Cancer Center website.
Student summer research programs put on through the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) team at the Cancer Center are critical to the mission to educate, support and retain trainees from underrepresented minority groups to address the needs of the diverse patient population at UI Health. The Cancer Center is part of UI Health at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC).
Other summer research programs hosted at the Cancer Center are:
ResearcHStart: The program introduces high school students to cancer research by introducing them to biophysics, biochemistry, immunology and pharmacology. The multi-institution program includes the Cancer Center, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Northwestern University and Rush University.
Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS): An eight-week summer program that trains and mentors underrepresented minority high school students interested in careers focused on cancer research and other health professions. CHESS is a collaboration between the Cancer Center and the UIC Urban Health Program. Watch this video with the 2023 cohort to learn more.
Robert A. Winn Diversity in Clinical Trials: Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP): The Cancer Center hosted four medical students in the 2024 cohort for a six-week summer service-learning externship in community-based clinical research. Students in the program benefit from exposures to clinical research, community engagement experiences and leadership development.
The Chicago Cancer Health Equity Collaborative (ChicagoCHEC) Fellows Program: A comprehensive summer learning experience for undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students that focuses on developing skills for careers in healthcare and social, behavioral or biomedical research. ChicagoCHEC serves students from UIC, Northeastern Illinois University, Northwestern University, the City Colleges of Chicago, and other area community colleges who are planning to apply to graduate or medical school.