Immersive Education and Training Programs Foster Global Cancer Research Collaboration

Strategic Insights -

This summer, the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) at Columbia University hosted a series of immersive education and training programs to engage students and community members in cancer research and prevention. The programs welcomed students from around the world, including high school, undergraduate, and international students, for hands-on research, mentorship, and collaborative learning. Through these initiatives, HICCC aims to accelerate scientific discovery, enhance innovation, and grow closer to life-saving therapies for patients globally. The programs also focused on cancer prevention, screening, and health equity, with educational workshops and health fairs across New York City.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) at Columbia University hosted six immersive education and training programs this summer, engaging students and community members in cancer research and prevention.
  • The programs welcomed high school, undergraduate, and international students for hands-on research, mentorship, and collaborative learning, with a focus on cancer prevention, screening, and health equity.
  • Six Yonsei University undergraduates participated in the HICCC labs as the inaugural cohort of a new international research exchange program.
  • Fifteen high school and college students from NYC completed the YES in THE HEIGHTS internship, gaining hands-on research and mentorship at Columbia.
  • The LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC)/HICCC Internship Program offers undergraduate students from LAGCC the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in clinical cancer research, with five students participating this year.
  • The YES x Math for America program brought together HICCC researchers and STEM educators to co-develop classroom-ready curricula and resources focused on cancer education and public health.
  • HICCC's Community Outreach and Engagement team hosted summer health fairs across NYC to provide cancer prevention and screening education to the community.
  • The Yonsei University/HICCC exchange program aims to strengthen global cancer research efforts, particularly in clinical trials focused on solid tumors and gastrointestinal cancers.
  • The YES in THE HEIGHTS internship at the HICCC is designed to inspire and prepare high school and undergraduate students primarily from New York City for careers in biomedical research.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 2,000 registrants participated in the HICCC's YES in THE HEIGHTS program's virtual Scientific Enrichment Month (SEM) program in July.
  • 15 students participated in the YES in THE HEIGHTS internship program, with 6 weeks of hands-on research in HICCC labs.
  • Over 800 certificates were awarded to students after presenting their working group final projects in SEM.
  • The LAGCC/HICCC Internship Program participated 5 students.
  • The YES x Math for America program led by Jasmine McDonald, PhD, and Mary Beth Terry, PhD, guided middle and high school teachers in integrating real-world cancer data into their lesson plans.

Sources:

  • Columbia University
  • Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC)
  • Yonsei University
  • LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC)
  • Math for America
  • Jasmine McDonald, PhD
  • Mary Beth Terry, PhD
  • Parisa Tehranifar, DrPH
  • Phoenix Matthews, PhD