2024 Undergraduate Oncology Research Opportunities

Loyola University Chicago’s Department of Cancer Biology and the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center are sponsoring ten-week full-time research internships this summer at the Cancer Center (Health Sciences Campus in Maywood) for LUC students. All LUC Freshman, Sophomore, and Juniors with an interest in cancer research are eligible to apply; students who will graduate in 2024 are not eligible.

Opportunities are available across various areas; applicants must select a research program of interest:

• Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Program - Research groups who participate in this program study mechanisms associated with tumor cell initiation and progression, mechanisms that contribute to therapeutic response, and mechanisms of therapeutic resistance. A wide variety of approaches and model systems are used to advance understanding in multiple different cancer types. The ultimate goal is to utilize gained knowledge to improve therapeutic efficacy and cancer patient outcomes. Students who participate in this program would participate in “wet” lab research.
• Radiation Oncology, Imaging, and Technology Program - This comprehensive program brings together radiation oncologists, radiologists, physicists, imaging scientists, engineers, computer scientists and radiation biologists to foster research that integrates clinical, basic science and engineering approaches. The goal: translate these concepts from bench to bedside to improve tumor control with radiation, while minimizing side effects, and develop novel imaging approaches for localized and disseminated disease. Students who participate in this program will perform research that will involve basic computer programming that may include image processing, machine learning or analysis of radiation dose distributions.

Applications will undergo a competitive review process. Student interns accepted into the program will receive supervised experiences in cancer research projects currently in progress in laboratories in the Cancer Center or on the Health Sciences campus. Interns are expected to commit to full time work for the entire 10-week program. A stipend will be awarded to student interns who are accepted for this competitive summer program.

2022 Mini-symposium

The Summer Research Internship program is only for undergraduate students enrolled at Loyola University Chicago. If you are an undergraduate at another college / university or a graduate of Loyola, there may be opportunities for volunteer summer research with our faculty. Email Ash Bindra (abindra1@luc.edu) with a statement of interest and your resume (curriculum vitae). Request that your materials to be forwarded to faculty who may be interested in hosting an outside student.