MD Anderson CATALYST Summer Training Programs
Cancer Advanced Training and Learning for Young Scientists
CATALYST is an umbrella program comprised of 18 summer unique academic research programs at MD Anderson developed specifically for students interested in an advanced degree and/or a career in cancer research. We encourage you to visit the Programs page to view all of the wonderful opportunities, organized by educational stage, offered at MD Anderson each summer.
During the 10-week summer program, MD Anderson gives aspiring scientists the opportunity to train with world-renowned faculty in a state-of-the-art research facility at the nation's top cancer hospital, located in the world's largest medical center.
More than 100 faculty members across dozens of specialties engage with our CATALYST programs so that each trainee can work alongside a faculty mentor to gain hands-on lab and /or clinical experience in:
- Cancer prevention research
- Basic research
- Biomedical research
- Translational research
- Clinical research
While each program provides program specific educational and professional development activities, the CATALYST umbrella program provides activities such as lectures, seminars, workshops, a poster presentation and networking events to all summer trainees.
About the Summer Program
The 2025 CATALYST summer program runs from June 2, 2025-August 8, 2025. During this 10-week long program, students will be matched with a faculty mentor and assigned a research project to carry out during the summer program. As mentor matching occurs at a programmatic level, please reach out to your Program Director if you have any questions about the process for your respective program. All accepted trainees will receive an electronic copy of The Biology of Cancer textbook written by Robert Weinberg, Ph.D. before the start of the summer program. It is expected that accepted trainees will review the text as the first day and a half of the summer program will be devoted to a Cancer Biology Bootcamp. Trainees will have the opportunity to attend other academic and professional development programming on topics such as applying to graduate school and the different career tracks some of our faculty have pursued. The summer program will culminate with a mandatory poster symposium where all trainees will have the opportunity to showcase their research projects to the larger MD Anderson research community. Finally, all trainees will submit an abstract of their research which will be included in the 2025 CATALYST Summer Program abstract book.
Trainees participating in the full 10-week program will be provided with a $6,800 stipend (pre-tax). Should your time at Anderson be less than 10 weeks, your pay will be pro-rated accordingly to reflect $17/hour. All trainees will be paid on the 5th and the 20th of each month. Trainees may use their stipend to cover housing, transportation, meals, and/or other expenses. After all offer letters are returned, following the March 5th response deadline, a list of housing options will be provided, and we will work to connect trainees who might be interested in finding a roommate.
Alumni Testimonial
Paridhi Latawa
2024 CPRIT-CURE Trainee
The MD Anderson CATALYST Program was a unique opportunity to apply my knowledge in cancer genetics research. This program further catalyzed my passion for science.
Program Leadership & Contact Information
Khandan Keyomarsi, Ph.D. (left in photo)
CATALYST Program Director
Stephanie S. Watowich, Ph.D. (right in photo)
CATALYST Program Director
Questions? Contact us!
Please reach out to the CATALYST leadership team, with any questions that you may have regarding the summer programs and/or the application process.