Introduction to Cancer Research Careers ICRC

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Introduction to Cancer Research Careers - ICRC

• Dr. Teresa Estrada Leon Espinoza
• NIH-Hispanic Employee Organization
• April 11, 2005

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The ICRC Program

• ICRC was designed to identify, train, and mentor
  talented students from populations
  underrepresented in science and individuals from
  disadvantaged backgrounds
• The ICRC Program sponsors highly-qualified
  students with research experience for a two-day
  visit to the NCI and arranges interviews for
  placement in intramural labs

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ICRC Eligibility Requirements

• Undergraduate, Post-Baccalaureate, or Graduate
  Student of an accredited U.S. college or
  university
• Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher
• Demonstrated research experience
• United States citizen or permanent resident
• Member of an underrepresented population or
  financially disadvantaged background

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ICRC Participants Receive

• Travel and accommodations for two-day visit
• NIH campus and NCI laboratory tours
• Student workshops and information sessions
• Individual interviews with NCI Principal
  Investigators seeking to fill summer and/or
  post-baccalaureate internships
• Summer housing and travel provided for
  participants who accept internship offers

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ICRC Program Details

• Participants are selected by a panel of NCI
  scientists
• Selection is highly competitive
• ICRC participants visit the NIH campus each
  February
• Participants interview with one or more (up to
  five) NCI Principal Investigators

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Cancer Research Training Award (CRTA)

• Summer Internships
• All academic levels
• 8 to 12 weeks in the summer
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident
• One/Two Year Internships
• Post Bachelor to Pre-doctoral
• US Citizen or Permanent Resident

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CRTAs Benefits

• Paid through a stipend system
• Have flexible start/end dates
• Located in Bethesda, Rockville Frederick,
  Maryland
• Have the opportunity to work with and attend
  lectures by ground-breaking scientists

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Comparison Matrix
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2004 ICRC Placement Results

• 19 were selected for the visit
• 14 participants accepted internship offers
• 10 summer placements
• 4 post-baccalaureate placements

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2005 ICRC Placement Results

• 21 participants were selected for the visit
• 12 participants accepted internship offers
  (placements are still in progress)
• 9 summer placements
• 3 post-baccalaureate placements

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2005 ICRC Participants
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ICRC Feedback

• My ICRC experience helped me realize how much I
  enjoy epi research. I definitely want to stay
  involved with NCI for other aspects of my
  training and career. ICRC Intern
• In my particular situation it made me realize
  that I want to do cancer research for the rest of
  my life. ICRC Intern
• I am so glad that I found out about ICRC at the
  SACNAS conference. This program has opened a
  door that I thought would be so hard to open.
  ICRC Intern
• I liked being able to meet others my age with the
  same interests so we could relate to each other.
  ICRC Intern

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• I now understand what it is like to work at the
  NIH as a scientist. Before this internship, I
  only knew the role of a scientist in academia.
  ICRC Intern
• The internship gave me first-hand experience in
  basic and clinical research which helped clarify
  my decision in choosing grad school or health
  professional school. It also gave me confidence
  in my choice. ICRC Intern
• The process for meeting/selecting ICRC interns
  was EXCELLENT. I interviewed three candidates and
  would have been happy to have all three. It was
  also very nice to interview people from across
  the country in a setting where they are assisted
  with housing, which can often times be a
  stumbling block. Jeff Struewing M.D.,
  Population Genetics

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Contact ICRC

• ICRC Website
• http//icrc.nci.nih.gov
• For More Information Please Contact
• Dr. Teresa Estrada or Leon Espinoza
• ICRC-Contact_at_mail.nih.gov
• 301-435-8524

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Future of ICRC

• Expand ICRC to all NCI Divisions (including
  extramural)
• Include opportunities in alternative research
  settings (away from the bench)
• Formalize follow-up component so that former
  interns will continue to consider NCI as a
  resource and/or future destination in their
  career