Launched in 2025 and funded by the American Cancer Society (ACS) Center for Innovation in Cancer Research Training (CICRT), the Stanford Cancer Institute hosts undergraduate students across the Bay Area for a summer research experience. 

Pauline Funchain, MD, Stanford Cancer Institute associate director for training and education, says, “Beyond the bench, successful researchers are skilled in leadership, presenting, writing, engaging others in their ideas, and managing professional relationships across complex organizations. We are proud to partner with the American Cancer Society and give aspiring cancer scientists a holistic experience of what a career in cancer research looks like and help them develop the varied skillsets this field requires.” 

The 2025 mentors were Gheorghe Chistol, PhD, Steven Corsello, MD, Nathanael Gray, PhD, Hanlee Ji, MD, Erqi Pollom, MD, Monte Winslow, PhD, and Steven Artandi, MD, PhD, director of the Stanford Cancer Institute. 

Artandi says of the program, “We are delighted to host undergraduates from outside institutions and to give them experience in a Stanford cancer lab. This year’s undergraduates worked in wet and dry labs that included basic science, genomics, radiation oncology, translation science, and drug development.”  

Students appreciated the experience and lessons gained from the program. In addition to faculty mentors, students were also paired with near-peer mentors, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who provided instruction on the lab’s day-to-day operations and assisted the undergraduate students with their research projects. 

Rachel Fletcher-Ferreira, whose faculty mentor was Corsello and near-peer mentor was Michelle Tang, a graduate student in the Department of Chemical and Systems Biology, said, “I gained firsthand insight into the scientific process behind cancer research. I got to work closely with Michelle daily to complete the tasks necessary to continue her current overarching research project. Every day in the lab, Michelle gave me the opportunity to observe and assist in her experiments and data analysis. I also got the chance to attend various lab meetings and learn about the other lab members' research.”

Mandy Wan, who completed a systematic review with her mentors Pollom and Katherine Jin, clinical research coordinator to Pollom, said, “Through this project, I took the initiative in preregistering our protocol, screening studies, extracting data, and performing quality assessment. This experience helps me understand how clinical research could influence patient care and how systematic review could provide evidence-based insights to guide treatment decisions.”

Learning opportunities beyond research

The program’s mentored research experience was augmented with scientific seminars, skill-building workshops, and professional development sessions. Seminars explored the breadth of cancer research to advocacy for cancer issues. Topics covered include responsible conduct of research, building relevant experiences for future cancer careers, and getting involved as cancer advocates through the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network. Skill-building workshop topics included creating an effective poster, scientific writing, poster abstract writing, and navigating professional relationships unique to the cancer research field. 

Professional development sessions delved into non-academic cancer careers, such as clinical research coordinators and life science researchers, and academic cancer careers, including panels with current Stanford graduate and postdoctoral students and residents. Panelists shared their experiences about the non-linear nature of academic journeys, emphasizing that as students proceed on their journeys, they will learn more about themselves, and their interests will shift as they discover their passions.

Sei Lee, PhD, program manager at the Stanford Cancer Institute, says, “We are elated to bring this internship opportunity to more students outside of Stanford. The program goes beyond gaining research skills. It helps build meaningful relationships and fosters a sense of belonging for students new to research. This program is about inspiring the exploration of cancer research and relevant career tracks. Although short, I hope the 10-week program was an insightful landscape of cancer care and cancer discoveries happening in the labs. I also hope their biggest takeaway is that learning is fueled by curiosity and the desire to make a bigger impact on cancer care, whether that be at the bench or on the bedside.”

Claire Pham, whose faculty mentor was Artandi and near-peer mentor was postdoctoral scholar Seung Park, says, “As a student coming from a chemistry background, I learned that I am able to thrive in a fast-paced environment that forces you to catch up despite possible disadvantages you may have, such as not knowing any biology. The program has allowed me to realize my interest in lab work and build meaningful relationships with mentors and peers that I see myself connecting with in my professional future. Additionally, it has motivated me to find labs to join in my university.”