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ITERT - STEP (STEM Training and Education Program)

The Department of Translational Molecular Pathology (TMP) offers a summer research training program for undergraduates through its Interdisciplinary Translational Education and Research Training (ITERT) core to outstanding students interested in exploring research careers in translational molecular pathology.

Our goal is to train motivated students towards advanced careers in biomedical research and provide a supportive learning environment for them as they participate, in real-time cutting-edge research within a cross-section of the academic pipeline continuum at ITERT. Our efforts in this context are geared to foster an interest in the scientific method and assist students in identifying career choices within STEM fields through defined skills programming, awareness workshops and individualized career support during- and post-program through our extended ITERT Mentoring Network. Accepted students will participate in paid full-time summer research training on campus at MD Anderson.

The program includes the following activities:

Research Skills Development: Hands-on research experience in translational oncology mentored by world-class faculty members in a laboratory setting which will culminate in a formal research presentation to faculty and peers during program graduation.
Career Programming:
a) Interactive Professional Development Workshop Series: exposure to critical appraisal skills, and professional career skills training including fundamental principles governing planning, experimentation and reporting in science, IDP and CV building, communication skills and networking how-to’s.
b) Auditing a graduate level University of Texas GSBS course - Clinical Perspectives for a Basic Scientist focused on themes fundamental to the clinical history of cancer development and progression, beginning with early detection and surveillance and ending with late-stage disease, metastasis and survivorship.
c) National symposium focused on career paths in biomedical sciences, and transferrable skills for academic and non-academic career track
Peer Support Groups: Engagement within a supportive learning community in a formal support group led by ITERT Program Directors and Senior Research Scientists at TMP.
Trainee Networking and Social Events

Students cannot earn credit from their home institutions for participating in the ITERT-STEP program.

Application Information

Applications Open: November 18, 2025

Applications Close: January 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CST

The following information is required on the application:

Personal and demographic information
Official transcript (s) from undergraduate university
Statement of research experience & areas of interest. In addition to detailing any research experience that you may have, please use this section to highlight any specific areas of research you would like to explore this summer and/or faculty mentor(s) you would like to train with. If you do not have any research experience to date, please describe your interest in pursuing an academic and/or professional career in cancer research.
Two letters of recommendation uploaded by your referee. At least one reference should come from a science or math professor. The other may be from an advisor, counselor, or health care advisor/mentor with whom you have worked with in a prior program. Both letters must be submitted by your referees directly in SLATE. Once you submit your application, you will be prompted to create a SLATE account where you can add the contact information for your referees. Once referees are added to your SLATE account, an emailed link will be sent through the system so that your referees may upload their letters of recommendation.

Incomplete applications will be purged after the deadline of January 15, 2025, 11:59 p.m. CST has passed. If the information found here does not provide the answers you need, please feel free to email the Program Director, Ebonie Hatfield - ERHatfield@mdanderson.org .

Eligibility & Requirements

Applicants must be a college or university student who has completed their freshman, sophomore or junior year by June 2025 and are in good academic standing.
Applicants must currently be enrolled in an undergraduate program in the United States and be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or international student on F1 or J1 visa to apply.

Dates & Work Schedule

ITERT STEP 2025 summer term will take place from June 2 through August 8, 2025.
MD Anderson's normal hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Exact work schedules are subject to the laboratories' needs and expectations.

Mentor Match Process

Faculty mentors serve as direct supervisors for ITERT-STEP scholars. They participate in all aspects of the training program, including formal instruction and supervision of research.
If you are interested in a specific area of research, please note this in your statement of research experience and areas of interest. While we attempt to match students with mentors in accordance with declared interests, this is based on faculty availability and may not be feasible in all circumstances.
If accepted, the mentor matching process can take up to four weeks. You will be notified via email of your assigned mentor prior to program start.

TMP department website

Stipend, Housing and Expenses

On site participants received a stipend of up to $6800 for the 10-week program.
This stipend amount includes allowances for housing, living, and travel expenses. No additional allowances are available.
Paychecks and stipend are based on actual days worked and will be issued on the 5th and 20th of each month, deducting the required federal tax.

Program Directors

Program Directors:

Rama Soundararajan, Ph.D.
RSoundararajan@MDAnderson.org

Khalida Wani, Ph.D.
KWani@MDAnderson.org

Vashisht Yennu Nanda, Ph.D.
vynanda@MDAnderson.org

Administrative contact

Ebonie Hatfield
ERHatfield@MDAnderson.org

ITERT - STEP (STEM Training and Education Program)

Applications open November 18, 2024