UPWARDS Summer Program
The MD Anderson Cancer Center UPWARDS research training initiative was instituted to offer hands-on, laboratory-based research experience so as to encourage underserved students to enter into STEM based academic and professional careers.
We provide summer programs designed for underserved high school and undergraduate students, with the objective of fostering greater enthusiasm for biomedical graduate programs and the cancer research workforce. In addition to the summer program, we offer an academic year-long program for local undergraduate students.
Accepted students will take part in a paid/ full-time (40 hours a week) on-campus summer research experience at MD Anderson. Through this experience, you will be paired with a faculty member working in his/her lab gaining hands-on research experience, participate in didactic coursework and training, and receive mentoring to guide you in your future academic and professional pursuits. Students will attend scientific lectures, seminars and career development events, and will have the opportunity to present their work at a poster session at the conclusion of the program.
Students cannot earn credit from their home institutions for participating in the R25 UPWARDS program.
Application Deadlines
Applications Open: November 18
Applications Close: January 15th; 11:59pm CST
The following information is required on the application:
- Personal information
- Resume
- Official transcript(s) from undergraduate university
- Statement of research experience and area(s) 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 of faculty mentor that you would like to train with. If you do not have any research experience to date, please indicate describe your interest in pursuing an academic and/or professional career in cancer research.
- Two letters of recommendation. One letter must come from a STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) professor. Both letters must be submitted by your referees directly to SLATE. Please review the letter requirements on our How to Apply and Application FAQ page
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 this is done, they will receive an email asking them to upload their respective letters to the portal. Applications must be completed and submitted before the deadline.
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 the Program Director, Kara Lewis, Dr.P.H. (keleonard@mdanderson.org) or Program Manager, Valoree Solis, M.B.A. (vdsolis@mdanderson.org).
Eligibility
High School Track
The MD Anderson UPWARDS High School Summer Research Training Program will support up 10 high school trainees per year.
- All applicants must be a local high school student (incoming senior for the fall of 2025 and 18 years or older by June 2, 2025) who identifies as economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, with disabilities, or a first-generation student.
Undergraduate Track
The MD Anderson UPWARDS Undergraduate Summer Research Training Program will support 20 undergraduate trainees per year.
- 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.
- Fifth year seniors returning to their undergraduate program for the Fall 2025 semester may also apply.
- All applicants must identify as economically disadvantaged, educationally disadvantaged, with disabilities, or a first-generation student.
- International students may apply if they hold a current visa through the duration of the program.
- Undergraduates of all majors are invited to apply!
All trainees accepted into the UPWARDS summer undergraduate experience will be required to participate in one outreach activity during the ten-week long training program. The outreach activity will be selected by the leadership team and convey to the trainees at the earliest opportunity. Please expect for this activity to occur outside of work hours (at the end of the workday or on a weekend). We will work with your mentor to account for hours worked as part of this outreach event.
Stipend, Housing, Expenses
- On-site participants receive a stipend of up to $6,800 for the 10-week program.
- This stipend may be used 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 the 20th of each month, deducting the required federal tax.
Mentor Match Process
- You will be paired with a faculty member working in his/her lab gaining hands-on research experience, participate in didactic coursework and training, and receive mentoring to guide you in your future academic and professional pursuits.
- If you are interested in a specific area of cancer research, please note this in your statement of research experience and areas of interest.
- If accepted, the mentor match process can take up to four weeks. You will be notified via email of your assigned mentor.
Program Contacts
Khandan Keyomarsi, Ph.D. (left in photo)
UPWARDS Program Director
Stephanie S. Watowich, Ph.D. (right in photo)
UPWARDS Program Director
Questions? Contact us!
Kara Lewis, Dr.P.H. (keleonard@mdanderson.org), Administrative Program Director
Valoree Solis, M.B.A. (vdsolis@mdanderson.org), Administrative Program Manager