Celebrating Three Years of the IICD Summer Research Program for Undergraduates
As the Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics (IICD) marks the third anniversary of its Summer Research Program (SRP) for undergraduate students, we celebrate not only the success of this year's cohort but also the impactful journeys of our alumni. The program has proven to be a transformative experience, shaping the careers and aspirations of budding scientists.
Since its inception in the Summer of 2022 with an inaugural cohort of 5 students, the IICD SRP has welcomed 23 interns, with the 2024 cohort adding to this vibrant community. The program offers a unique blend of computational research and wet lab, catering to diverse interests and fostering an interdisciplinary research environment. With 30% of our alumni having graduated and 54% pursuing or planning to pursue advanced degrees, the program's influence is evident.
The experiences of our alumni underscore the program's influence on their academic and professional journeys. Mackenzie Sky (SRP’22), currently a post-baccalaureate researcher at Yale University, shared, “The IICD SRP allowed me to envision myself as a scientist in the biomedical sciences! It solidified my direction into pursuing a research career.”
Andrew Chan (SRP’23), currently in a gap year, highlighted the program's role in refining his research interests: “I had a really amazing time learning new skills and contributing to my mentor's project. This experience really helped me narrow my research interests in cancer, in addition to allowing me to seek out more opportunities in this field.”
The SRP's growth over the past three years is complemented by its expanding collaborations with other programs. These partnerships include the Columbia Summer Undergraduate Research Experiences in Mathematical Modeling (CSUREMM), the Columbia University Pathways Programs (CUPP), and the Undergraduate Summer Research Program at the Center for Integrated Cellular Analysis (CEGS ICA USRP at the New York Genome Center). Additionally, the SRP has initiated a collaboration with the S Jay Levy Fellowship at The City College of New York, hosting students over the past two years who have continued their research beyond the summer program.
Throughout the summer, interns engage in a variety of activities designed to enhance their research skills and professional development. These include weekly seminars, lab tours, written assignments, and opportunities to present their work through posters and oral presentations. The program not only provides hands-on research experience but also emphasizes the importance of scientific communication and professional networking. In particular, the SRP co-organizes lectures and social events with CSUREMM and CEGS ICA USRP and takes part in the CUPP Columbia-wide poster symposium.
“The IICD summer research program was an invaluable experience that helped me grow both academically and professionally. The program's professional development seminars, poster session, and final presentations provided excellent opportunities to practice and hone my scientific communication skills. The program's emphasis on written, oral, and visual scientific communication is truly unparalleled. I highly recommend this program to undergraduate students who are eager to gain experience in cancer research,” explains Noreen Hosny (SRP’23).
“The IICD SRP made a huge effort to get us involved in campus-wide events beyond our cohort. The program director has also kept contact with us, creating a community we can reach out to,” adds Mackenzie Sky (SRP’22).
The program's success is also evident in its ability to inspire students from diverse academic backgrounds. Allison Pascual (SRP’22), an aspiring MD, reflected on her journey: “My IICD SRP experience stands out as unparalleled compared to other academic or professional experiences I've had. Coming in with no computer science background, the program was willing to train me on-site. In just one summer, I completed an entire project centered around coding and mathematical modeling, both of which were completely new and foreign to me.”
Abdullah Naqvi (SRP’24) also described the SRP as “an excellent gateway for those that aspire to pursue a career in research. There are a variety of different fields to choose from, ranging from wet lab work to computational research to even coding projects, so there is something for everyone. The lab mentors are incredibly supportive and provide great guidance in designing and carrying out the summer research project, while also challenging interns to think outside the box at times, promoting excellent growth as an undergraduate researcher.”
As we look forward to the future of the IICD SRP, we remain committed to providing a nurturing and intellectually stimulating environment for our interns. The bonds formed, skills acquired, and the knowledge gained through this program continue to empower our interns to move forward in STEM fields.
For more information about the IICD Summer Research Program and how to apply, please visit the program page.