Integrative Medicine Program

Research internship

The Integrative Medicine Program offers two areas of research in which an intern can choose: natural products and clinical trials.

• Natural Products Research: Interns will receive supervision, mentoring, and feedback from Peiying Yang, M.S., Ph.D., assistant professor of the Integrative Medicine Program. Interns will assist the research team with current or forthcoming pre-clinical research or clinical trials on natural products as cancer therapy or preventive approach. The goal of the project is to provide the opportunity for the intern to learn how to conduct evidence-based research in the context of natural products, cancer therapy or cancer prevention. Interns will utilize specific methodologies in order to assess and summarize the information on the current status of anti-inflammatory or anti-angiogenic research using natural products or nutritional supplements.

• Clinical Trials Research: Lorenzo Cohen, Ph.D., professor and director of the Integrative Medicine Program, encourages and provides training and guidance to our interns by serving as the primary program mentor. Amy Spelman, Ph.D., research program director, provides the interns with supervision, mentoring and feedback. Interns are given the opportunity to experience the development and/or implementation of mind-body and acupuncture clinical trials conducted within the Integrative Medicine Program and the Department of Palliative, Rehabilitation and Integrative Medicine. They will be exposed to and learn all aspects of running a clinical trial, including study participant recruitment and follow-up, data collection and entry, and basic data analysis.

Appointment Criteria and Limitations

Appointments are solely for the purpose of research, and no patient care activities are permitted.  

Research Interns may attend conferences and lectures, observe clinics, the OR, and rounds, in accordance with appropriate medical staff policy.  

Research trainees may not perform a primary medical evaluation or a history and physical examination; participate in decisions concerning management of a patient; render treatment or other patient services; order tests or service; or write in the medical record.

Sessions and Application Deadlines

Integrative Medicine Program offers three intern sessions per calendar year. Up to 12 interns are approved for each session. Interns work varied schedules, Monday through Friday and, usually work between 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Generally, interns are not compensated; however, some financial opportunities are available (see R25E Grant Funding Information).

How to Apply:

• Step 1: Submit Initial Application to the Integrative Medicine Education Committee
  • Interested applicants must complete the Research Intern General Information Form (doc) for review by the Integrative Medicine Education Committee. The completed form along with a copy of your curriculum vitae or resume must be submitted to Tameika Buggage, Training Program Coordinator, via email at tsbuggage@mdanderson.org. All documentation must be received by the deadline for the desired session.
• Step 2: Integrative Medicine Education Committee Review
  • All requests will be processed within a 30-day period following the application deadline by the Integrative Medicine Education Committee. A personal and/or telephone interview with a member of the Integrative Medicine Education Committee may be required. An email confirming or denying your intern request will be sent as soon as a determination is made.
• Step 3: MD Anderson Cancer Center's Academic and VISA Administration (AVA) Review if Accepted by the Integrative Medicine Education Committee
  • If a candidate is selected, the applicant will receive notification along with an electronic link to AVA’s formal online application process called DISCOVER. Be prepared to provide numerous documents to AVA as part of the vetting process. The AVA can take up to 45 days to process the required paperwork or 120 days if an education credit is required.

For more information about the internship program please contact Tameika Buggage at 713-745-4556, via email at tsbuggage@mdanderson.org or via mail at:

Integrative Medicine Program
MD Anderson Cancer Center
Attn: Tameika Buggage
1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 1416
Houston, Texas 77030, USA