STRONGER Scholar Summer Research Experience

Applications Open: November 18, 2024
Applications Close: January 15th, 2025; 11:59pm CST
 

The following information is required on the application:

• Personal information, including but not limited to contact information and address
• Official transcripts from undergraduate universities and medical school, as applicable
• Statement of research experience & areas of interest that details the applicant’s background, research interests, professional goals, and fit with the STRONGER Scholar Program (no more than 3 pages)
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Two professional letters of reference 

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 has passed. If the information found here did not provide the answers you need, please feel free to email STRONGERScholars@MDAnderson.org.

Medical students

We are accepting applications from scholars who:

• Have been accepted to medical school, with intentions to attend in the upcoming fall semester or are enrolled in and attending medical school with good academic standing
• Can participate in the on-site program, which is full-time -- other employment/program participation is not allowed
• Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents

We are looking for trainees who:

• Have a strong interest in health equity and tobacco dependence
• Are ready to work in fast-paced research labs
• Work well with diverse teams
• Are open to learning and willing to ask questions
• Strive for excellence and their work
• Welcome constructive criticism and critics of their work in the spirit of professional development
• Are enthusiastic, curious, and self-motivated
• Are timely and responsive to requests and emails

Trainees from low-income households or from low-resourced communities, those who are first-generation college graduates or who plan to pursue a career providing care to patients from groups that experience tobacco-related health inequities are highly encouraged to apply. Prior research experience is not required.

• Accepted scholars will receive a $6,800 stipend for their participation in the program. This compensation is intended to help subsidize cost-of-living expenses and is considered taxable income.
• Additional funds may be provided upon request as a housing subsidy for scholars who do not live near Houston, supporting their temporary residence in the city during the program.
• Support is available for scholars to:
  • Present their research at a professional conference, as time and interest allow.
  • Obtain membership in professional organizations relevant to tobacco and ethical research.  

• Each student will be paired with a faculty member from MD Anderson who is actively engaged in tobacco-related research and will participate in various program activities, with a focus on health equity.
• If you are interested in a specific area of cancer research, please indicate this in your statement of research experience and areas of interest.  

Lorraine Reitzel, Ph.D., FAAHB, FSRNT
Program Director

Hinal Patel, MPH
Program Coordinator

Please email STRONGERScholars@MDAnderson.org with any questions about this program.