Programs

Cancer Health Equity Summer Scholars (CHESS)

University of Illinois Cancer Center

The CHESS program is a paid, 8-week summer program that trains and mentors underrepresented minority high school students interested in careers focusing on cancer research and other health professions. The students learn about cancer health disparities from researchers by attending lecture series and journal clubs, conducting research mentored by senior researchers, participating in career development and skill-building workshops, and developing scientific writing and presentation skills.

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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: 10 weeks

Time periods: None, None, None

Program Components
  • 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)
  • Research experience (e.g. summer program)
    Students complete a research project under the guidance of their mentor, resulting in a written manuscript and a oral and poster presentation.
Program Evaluations

No evaluation data has yet been made public.

Program Information

Education Levels
Health Professions
Limit on Number of Participants

15 slots anticipated to be available for summer 2023.

Program Sustainability

Eligibility Criteria and How to Apply

Eligibility Criteria
  • Academic
  • 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
Required Application Documents

Financial Assistance

Stipend is paid upon completion of program.

Contact Information

Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination | EMAIL: crtec@uic.edu
Email: crtec@uic.edu

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