In addition to performing cutting-edge research, our faculty are training today’s students to be some of tomorrow’s top cancer researchers and medical professionals.

Our center offers numerous opportunities to help students go into research and medical fields. We do this through our student award programs, which are discussed below. Also below are links to other institutions’ opportunities for students.

Educational efforts include

• Students are brought into the laboratory early on, when it can be influential in their academic and professional decision-making.
• Exposure to cancer issues is provided through cancer-related courses at undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Awards, scholarships, fellowships, and workshops are sponsored by the center to enhance education.
• Multidisciplinary programs expose students to a variety of areas and expert
  researchers.
• Research and teaching faculty continually update cancer-related courses and learning opportunities for students.

This video of undergraduate cancer researcher and survivor Andrew Satterlee, discussing his personal and scientific fight against cancer, demonstrates what a Johnson Cancer Research Center lab experience can do for students.

Here is a story about another student who has benefited from a cancer research lab experience.

We support the cancer education and training of K-State students by offering the following award programs:

Undergraduate Cancer Research Awards

This is a highly competitive program that offers a unique opportunity for students to participate in real laboratory research while still at the undergraduate level. Cancer research faculty and interested students together submit applications for the students to participate in the lab team’s ongoing research. The students who win become part of the research teams and receive $1,000 awards. Each faculty mentor also receives a $1,000 award per student to support project expenses. Learn more and apply here.

2012-13 Undergraduate Student Cancer Researchers

Near the end of each spring semester, we have an Awards Banquet to recognize our Cancer Research Award winners. See photos of past banquets here.

Cancer Research Award winners are further encouraged by Advisory Council member and K-State alumnus Bob Kinders, PhD, National Cancer Institute, to apply for the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program in Frederick, Maryland. To learn more, e-mail Dr. Kinders at rkinders@ncifcrf.gov.

June Hull Sherrid Scholarship

This program is open to undergraduate students who plan to participate in health-related curriculum. Students who maintain high grade point averages and participate in this curriculum are eligible to receive these scholarships each year. Over 100 students receive nearly $100,000 in scholarships annually. Contact: Dr. Larry Williams, Assoc. Dir. for Instructional Activities, Division of Biology, Biology Undergraduate Studies Office, 785-532-5718, larryw@k-state.edu

Heart Research Awards

These awards are presented to one or more faculty members to support graduate student research on heart development, function, or disease. This award is given periodically based on an endowment established for this specific purpose. Learn more and apply here.

Graduate Student and Biology Graduate Student Travel Awards

This program helps graduate students attend professional meetings and seminars to present research and meet experts in their fields. Learn more and apply here.

Graduate Student Summer Stipends

These stipends fund three-month salaries for ten graduate students studying under the direction of our affiliated scientists. Learn more and apply here.

Student Research Opportunities at Other Institutions

Our undergraduate Cancer Research Award winners are encouraged by Johnson Cancer Research Center Advisory Council member and K-State alumnus Bob Kinders, PhD, National Cancer Institute, to apply for the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program in Frederick, Maryland. You may e-mail Dr. Kinders at rkinders@ncifcrf.gov.

The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston has a Summer Undergraduate Research Program that offers a hands-on laboratory experience for undergraduate students who wish to obtain a PhD degree and pursue a career in basic scientific research and/or science education at the college or university level.

The Greehey Children’s Cancer Research Institute of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio has a Summer Research Internship Program that allows talented students who are interested in a career in academic research to spend approximately twelve weeks conducting hypothesis-driven childhood cancer research.

Other information about students in cancer research