CUPID Summer Translational Oncology Program Overview

The CUPID Summer Translational Oncology Program is 9-week laboratory-based research experience designed to introduce rising second year medical students to oncology. Students may select an 8-week period that best conforms to their academic calendar of their home medical school (see FAQ section). Applicants who will not be available for a full 8-week period will be considered on a case by case basis. The program is jointly administered by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (JHU), Indiana University School of Medicine (IU), and The Ohio State University College of Medicine. The mission of this program is to address the impending shortage of practicing oncologists within the US, and to cultivate an interest in cancer treatment and research among a diverse body of compassionate medical students. US medical students who are interested in both research and health care disparities, and who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to community service are invited to apply. Students may choose their location of preference* in: 1) Baltimore, Maryland, 2) Indianapolis, Indiana, or 3) Columbus, Ohio, and then decide to select an alternative location as back-up. The number of fellowships at each of the sites is limited and admission will be highly competitive. One important goal of the program is to reach out to students at institutions that are not affiliated with an NCI-designated cancer center. Accordingly, such applicants will be prioritized.

*The Ohio location is limited to medical students who are currently attending The Ohio State University. Ohio residents attending other US Medical Schools may apply to Johns Hopkins or Indiana locations.

Eligibility

• All students who will have completed his/her first year of an accredited US medical school or in a US territory are eligible to apply, provided they are academically in good standing.
• All students approved by the program are expected to attend each day for the entire time that they are enrolled in the program. Any absences must be approved by the program in advance.
• It is expected that all accepted CUPID fellows will have demonstrated some prior interest in health care disparities and/or commitment caring for the underserved.
• Program begin and end dates are flexible (see FAQ section).

Mentored Laboratory-based Cancer Research

Each student is matched with a research mentor who will oversee the student’s laboratory activities for the duration of the program. Individual lab assignments are made by the program’s co-directors, following review of each accepted student’s application materials. Laboratory mentors are volunteers who have been selected based on their enthusiasm for the mission of the program, and their willingness to devise a well-defined translational research project that can be completed during the program’s timeframe.

Didactic Course

A didactic lecture series runs for seven weeks. One hour lunchtime lectures are delivered simultaneously to all sites via a live videoconference. Specific topics include the molecular basis of cancer, the pathophysiology of common types of cancer, cancer diagnosis and therapy, cancer epidemiology and biostatistics, horizons in cancer research, future opportunities in the oncology workforce and cancer health disparities. The course varies from year to year, depending on speaker availability and the integration of new speakers and topics, and also by any new developments in cancer research and care.

Clinical Experiences

The students will experience the clinical side of oncology by participating in one half-day rotations with physicians on the medical, surgical, pediatric, and radiation oncology clinical services. Students may shadow clinical faculty members on both inpatient and outpatient services. Preceptors are selected on the basis of their ability to engage students and participate on a volunteer basis to provide a range of perspectives on cancer care. Students may schedule additional time with clinical rotation mentors (e.g. in surgery) as time allows within the program time period.

Additional Program Activities

Other program activities include a journal club and a closing symposium at which students present their projects and research findings. To help build a broad professional network, students from all sites will participate in a two-day joint conference in Washington, DC that is focused on cancer-related advocacy and policy.

Important Dates

• 12-15-2023 - Registration opens to students. Students should start their application as soon as possible. The website will ask students to create a password as the applications may be edited until the application deadline. A confirmation email will be sent to students and it will include instructions for how the students should request their recommendation letters.
• 12-15-2023 - 02-08-2024 All application requirements must be received
• Students will be notified of their acceptance via email by mid March. Students with incorrect emails will not receive their status. Students will need to confirm their acceptance within three days of receiving notification.
• Program dates (see FAQ section).

Application Criteria

• Any student who will have completed his/her first year at an accredited US medical school or in a US territory is eligible to apply, provided they are academically in good standing. Students may select to direct their application to one site or all three sites on their application. In the latter case, students will be assigned to a site on the basis of availability.  We anticipate that admission will be highly competitive. Accepted students will receive a *stipend and *free housing over the course of the program period.

While students from any US medical or osteopathic school may apply, students at schools that are not affiliated with an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center will be prioritized for admission. A list of all comprehensive cancer centers and their university affiliations may be found here: https://www.cancer.gov/research/nci-role/cancer-centers.

* See specific program location.