Research at Fox Chase »Pre-Graduate Research Programs »High School Student Scientist Program

Important Information

• Please have students apply by March 7, 2008
• Funding is available for five CURE Student Scientists from 2008-2009 through the 2010-2011 school year.

Program Description

The Student Scientist program places high school students in Fox Chase Cancer Center labs to work on real world, cutting edge research projects. Students will get training and experience in doing research and presenting their results. Examples of previous projects include:

• Studying the effect of measles virus infection on the central nervous system of transgenic mice.
• Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine if patients' tumors are responding to treatment.
• Designing a computer program to analyze changes in gene expression in cancer cells.
• Determining if doctors are taking family histories adequately to identify patients at risk for inherited cancers.

Students begin working in their labs officially in September 2008. Students are strongly encouraged to spend at least two weeks working in their lab during Summer 2008 to gain familiarity with their project and lab procedures prior to the start of the school year. During the school year, students are required to work at least four hours per week (2 hours x 2 afternoons per week). Students then work full time (40 hours per week) for eight weeks in Summer 2009. The schedule is somewhat flexible to accommodate students who do sports or similar activities.

CURE Student Scientists

CURE Student Scientists are funded by a National Cancer Institute program designed to increase the number of minorities in science. To qualify for this program, a student must be:

• Ethnic or racial minorities, including but not limited to African American, Hispanic, or Native American.
• Young women.
• Individuals with disabilities.
• Low income (eligible for free or reduced-cost meals at school, or below the federal poverty level).
• First generation going to college.
• Students attending a school with PSSA or Terra Nova math or science scores below the state average.
• US citizens or permanent residents (have a green card).

CURE Student Scientists must participate in the program for two full years, therefore only Freshmen and Sophomores can apply. CURE students must also update an Alumni page annually. If the number of qualified CURE students is greater than the five funded positions, the extra CURE applicants will be shifted to the FCCC pool if the CURE applicant has checked this option on their application.

FCCC Student Scientists

FCCC Student Scientists are not paid; they work as volunteers. They must participate in the program for one full year. Any 9-11 grader can apply.

Please read the "Requirements for Participation" carefully to see if your student(s) qualify.

• CURE Student Scientist Requirements
• FCCC Student Scientist Requirements

Program Requirements and Benefits

	FCCC	CURE
Minorities	Encouraged	Required
Time Commitment	1 School year plus summer	2 School years plus 2 summers
Alumni Update	Required	Required
Stipend	Volunteer status - $4 per day toward food	$3374 for 2008-09 $3475 for 2009-10

Application Information for FCCC and CURE Student Scientists

1. We are looking for outstanding students who are passionate about science, medicine, or research. Please select students who are:
• mature, dependable, respectful, able to work independently
• enthusiastic about the opportunity, have a strong interest in research
• considering a career in science or medicine (NOT filling up their resume)
• good grades, learn new things quickly, able to handle the extra work and time commitment
• Please encourage applications from qualified minority students.
2. There is no per-school limit on the number of applicants, but please be selective!
3. We will try to have at least 12 spots for new students.
4. All student applications must go to the Program Leader at your school (see list below; click on their names to send an email message). If your school does not have a Program Leader, contact Susanne Johnston by email at Susanne.Johnston@fccc.edu, or by phone at 215-728-5682.
• Abington Friends School: Emily Paar
• Abington High School: Brad Palmer
• Bensalem High School: Kate Gallagher
• Central High School: Mike Fowler
• Cheltenham High School: Kathy Feinstein or Becky Sheridan
• Chestnut Hill Academy: Jeanne Hillinck
• Council Rock High School North: Melissa Hecht
• George Washington High School: Debra Liberman
• G.W. Carver High School: Dr. Basu
• Germantown Academy: Dr. Susanne C. Johnston
• Mount Saint Joseph Academy: Maria Bechis
• Norristown High School: Sherrill Baumgartner
• Northeast High School: Dr. Charles Gorbsky
• William Penn Charter School: Alice Davis
5. The Program Leader collects the school's applications, checks them for completeness, and sends the applications and the list of students and their ranks to arrive by March 7, 2008 to:

Holly Gillin
Fox Chase Cancer Center
333 Cottman Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19111

Fax 215-728-3574 (this is a group fax; please include Holly Gillin's name on the cover page)

We cannot accept applications from anyone other than the Program Leader.

6. More information for Program Leaders can be found at item #6 on the list below.

Application Forms and Information Sheets

All forms and information can be found on the Forms and Information page.

Selection Process

1. April 2008: Advisory Committee selects the top 24 students. Those who don't make this first cut will be notified by the end of April 2000. Twelve of these students will be placed with mentor scientists; twelve will be Alternates.
2. April-May 2008: Program Director reviews students and selects the top twelve.
3. May-June 2008: The selected students then interview with scientists for placement. Scientists can decline a student based on the interview. If that happens, we will try to place the student with another scientist.
4. June 2008: Students are notified of their final status: Student Scientist or Alternate.

Program Dates

1. Students are strongly encouraged to spend at least two weeks working in their lab during Summer 2008 to gain familiarity with their project and lab procedures prior to the start of the school year.
2. August 2008: Student Scientists attend orientation and safety meeting.
3. September 2008: Student Scientists begin working in their research groups.
4. August 2009: Student Scientists give poster presentation and complete forms summarizing their experiences.

Questions

Contact Susanne Johnston by email at Susanne.Johnston@fccc.edu, or by phone at 215-728-5682.