Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS)
University of Illinois Cancer Center
The Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS) program is an eight-week summer program that trains and mentors underrepresented high school students interested in careers focusing on cancer research and other health professions. CHESS is a collaboration between the University of Illinois Cancer Center and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Urban Health Program. Students will receive a $3,000 stipend for completing the program. Students gain hands-on research experience working in a UIC faculty lab on an independent project. At the end of the summer, students present their work during the Cancer Center’s student research symposium. Students will also attend workshops, lectures, and other activities focused on building research, professional, and academic skills. CHESS students are matched to labs based on research interests. This means that students can work on any field of cancer research – from molecular biology to computation and biostatistics. Watch this video about CHESS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wrrt35aFaNg
Program Components
Primary Areas of Focus
- Academic preparation (e.g., increasing STEM knowledge
Desired Outcomes
Gain experience in research, explore possible careers in biomedicine, develop professional and academic skills including research, writing, presenting, and networking
Program Location
Settings: In-person
County: Cook County / Chicago, IL
In-person location: University of Illinois Chicago Campus
Timing
Duration: 8 weeks
Time periods: Summer
Program Components
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Health career exploration (e.g. job shadowing, career fairs)
Students are introduced to professionals from a breadth of careers as they discuss what they do and how they got to their current position. -
Mentoring (e.g. pairing with current health profession student)
Students are paired with a faculty mentor and often a trainee junior mentor to guide them with the research component. -
Networking (with others who have similar health career interests)
Students are in a cohort of likeminded peers in which communication and collaboration are often encouraged. -
Professional skills development (e.g. teamwork, ethical conduct)
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Research experience (e.g. summer program)
Students complete a research project under the guidance of their mentor, resulting in a written manuscript and an oral and poster presentation. CHESS students are matched to labs based on research interests. This means that students can work on any field of cancer research – from molecular biology to computation and biostatistics.
Program Evaluations
No evaluation data has yet been made public.
Program Information
Education Levels
Health Professions
Program Sustainability
Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply
Application Timeline
Apply by: 2026 TBD Program dates: 2026 TBD
Eligibility Criteria
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Academic
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Other
The CHESS program seeks applicants from groups underrepresented in the scientific workforce. This includes underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, socio-economic groups, and disability groups.For the full NIH definition of populations underrepresented within the scientific workforce, see https://diversity.nih.gov/about-us/population-underrepresented
Please signup for the CHESS mailing list or contact the program directly for more information at CRTEC@uic.edu.
Required Application Documents
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Application Form
Financial Assistance
Stipend is paid upon completion of program.
Contact Information
Ifeanyi Beverly Chukwudozie
Director, Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination
Email: iabado2@uic.edu