C-STEPS Program
The Cancer Research – Scholarship and Training in Population Sciences (C-STEPS) program provides a cancer-focused research experience, career mentorship, interactive seminars, and team building that culminate in a Capstone project at the end of 10 weeks.
Rich Research Experience
Students gain a hands-on, skills-based, mentored research experience that is focused on cancer control and population science.
Defined by the National Cancer Institute, Cancer Control and Population Science is a study of a group of individuals taken from the general population who share a common characteristic, such as age, sex, or health condition.
This group may be studied for different reasons, such as their response to a drug or risk of getting a disease. In addition, students participate in career planning and team-based activities. Students who participate in C-STEPS will also have the opportunity to submit an abstract of their Capstone poster project at the annual American Association for Cancer Education (AACE) conference to further enhance their presentation skills. The C-STEPS program will cover travel to the annual conference if the abstract is accepted. C-STEPS will provide ongoing support to students to present their research at their home university by assisting in poster printing.
Program Focus
The C-STEPS program is part of the Undergraduate Pipeline Network (UPN).
The goal of the C-STEPS program is to facilitate and support undergraduate students in their completion of a degree in the STEM-H (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and health sciences) field. This program also facilitates the student’s selection of and application to graduate or professional schools while encouraging their interests in research careers. The long-term goal of C-STEPS is to increase the biomedical and behavioral research workforce by providing specialized and experiential curricula that highlights team-oriented population sciences.
To provide a mentored research experience, students are paired with a faculty member who is focused on cancer control and population science at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. The program also offers peer and near-peer mentors to serve as role models, offer research seminars, facilitate team building, and provide research and career planning mentoring.
C-STEPS Details
Students must apply to the UPN program in the fall to be considered for the following summer. Each summer, C-STEPS will have a cohort of 10 undergraduate students and two peer mentors from the prior cohort.
Interested students may apply for C-STEPS through the
that opens every fall.
The 10-week program runs from late-May to early August on The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center campus.
C-STEPS covers
- transportation to and from the University of New Mexico
- housing while on UNM campus
- stipend for the 10-weeks
C-STEPS has similar eligibility to UPN that include:
- Minimum of 3.0 GPA
- Be an enrolled undergraduate at the time of the program and a graduation date no earlier than the December following the program
- Currently attend a college or university in the United States
- Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident (green card holder)
Additionally, highly qualified students should apply to C-STEPS if there is interest in translational research, including the following areas:
- Cancer risk and risk prediction
- Risk reduction
- Screening determinants and interventions
- Cancer care delivery and survivorship
For questions specific to C-STEPS, please email C-STEPS@salud.unm.edu or contact Dr. Shiraz Mishra: smishra@salud.unm.edu, (505) 925-6085
For questions related to the UPN application, please contact School of Medicine Research Education Office: SOMREO@salud.unm.edu, (505) 272-1887
Frequently Asked Questions
- C-STEPS provides transportation for those who are coming to the UNM campus from outside the Albuquerque area, in keeping with UNM travel policies.
- C-STEPS provides parking permits for those who will be commuting daily to campus. Housing is provided and paid for by the program.
- C-STEPS is a full-time, 40 hours per week commitment. While the average days vary depending on your mentor’s research, all C-STEPS students must participate in several activities on a set C-STEPS schedule, including weekly Seminars and Journal Clubs.
- Most students choose to stay in the dorms on the UNM campus.
- C-STEPS provides the dorm room at no cost to the student, but we have a limited number of rooms available.
- Students will need to bring their own bedding and towels.
- Students will have access to a kitchen in the dorms, but no kitchenware is provided (pots, pans, utensils, etc.).
- The application deadline is February 1.
- The Undergraduate Pipeline Network (UPN) will notify applicants of the outcome by early March.
- After your acceptance, you may need to wait several weeks for us to identify your mentor.
- In our matching process, we review your application and note your expressed research interests, research statement, coursework, and prior research experience.
- We then compare your interests, coursework and experiences with UNM faculty members who are available to mentor you, have expertise in your area(s) of interest and can offer you a research opportunity.
- Our matching process is the foundation of a productive and enjoyable experience for everyone. We are deliberate in this matching process and take it extremely seriously.
- You will work with your mentor to develop a project that is achievable within the duration of the 10-week program based on their ongoing research and your specific interests and skills.
- Reach out to C-STEPS team to let them know. Please also inform your mentor and your mentor’s research team.
- Please reach out to the C-STEPS team and we will work with you to provide a letter.
- Participation is exclusively in-person on the UNM HSC campus in Albuquerque.
The C-STEPS program offered an amazing experience that allowed me to collaborate with many peers that other programs wouldn’t allow. This included the journal clubs, assignments involving teamwork, and the work that we did with our mentors and our research team.
Mackenzie Billings
University of Virginia, Psychology
Mentor: Dolores Guest & Andrew Sussman
C-STEPS Capstone
I am more knowledgeable about other cancer careers after C-STEPS. It has shown that I want to be a physician and I feel better prepared to apply to medical school.
Elizabeth Marshall
University of Missouri, Biological Science
Mentor: Erika Maestas
C-STEPS Capstone
C-STEPS has given me unparalleled clinical exposure and oncology mentors who further confirmed my decision to enter the medical field.
Taryn Penny
Howard University, Biology
Mentor: Acadia Buro
C-STEPS Capstone
After spending a summer with C-STEPS, I was able to learn how diverse cancer research can be. This sparked my interest in the field of equity for cancer treatments and diversification of the field of oncology.
Alejandra Pawlak
California State University, Bernardino; Biological Psychology
Mentor: Jessica Richardson, Honey Hubbard & Tyler Smith
C-STEPS Capstone
Being in C-STEPS has been a very rewarding experience and I am very grateful for the valuable knowledge I have gained.
I am no longer undocumented, but I’m still a dreamer. And I’m still dreaming of a better future and C-STEPS has helped me shine a little bit brighter.
Alivia Abernathy
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; Biology
Mentor: Linda Felton
C-STEPS Capstone
It has really pushed me to look at the unfriendly parts of science… and what came about to improve it. I’m glad to have had such a positive experience.
Andrea Ibarra
University of New Mexico; Pharmaceutical Sciences
Mentor: Pavan Muttil
C-STEPS Capstone
C-STEPS has been a transformative experience, equipping me with skills and insights that will benefit me through my research journey.
Amari Hutchins
Howard University; Biology
Mentor: Aaron Neumann
C-STEPS Capstone
C-STEPS has changed my perspective on cancer research by showing me that there is no one way to contribute knowledge to the science community about cancer.
Audrey Raupp
Providence College, Psychology & Studio Art
Mentor: Debra MacKenzie & Mallery Quetawki
C-STEPS Capstone
I’ve become a more thoughtful interdisciplinary thinker because of C-STEPS, which I hope to take forward with me in future studies.
Tiffany Pei
Texas A&M College; Public Health
Mentor: Shuguang Leng & Huining Kang
C-STEPS Capstone
One of the intimidating and exciting parts of cancer research is that there are so many ways you can approach it — it’s one of the strongest impressions I’ve gotten from the C-STEPS program.
Abigail Ringer
University of New Mexico, Population Health; Biology; Statistics
Mentor: Cindy Blair
C-STEPS Capstone
My experience with C-STEPS has allowed me to engage with epidemiological research and has exposed me to many important professions and research skills needed to pursue a career in population science.
Tanisha Medha
University of New Mexico, Biochemistry; Anthropology
Mentor: Peng Mao
C-STEPS Capstone
C-STEPS and UPN have given me the opportunity to learn about the different aspects of medical research, such as conducting experiments, analyzing data, and writing scientific papers.
Onamma Edeh
University of New Mexico, Chemistry
Mentor: Katie Zychowski
C-STEPS Capstone
This [C-STEPS] has helped me gain confidence and trust in my future.
Pauline Nelson
University of New Mexico, Nursing
Mentor: Jamie Krashin
C-STEPS Capstone
The [C-STEPS] program was real, inclusive, and what I needed. I have had encouragement and support throughout this whole process.
Ernesto Morales Carrasco
University of New Mexico, Biochemistry; Psychology
Mentor: Shuguang Leng
C-STEPS Capstone
I am confident that the skills and knowledge that I gained from the C-STEPS program will help me to achieve my goals.
Grace Acle
Loyola University, Biochemistry
Mentor: Debra MacKenzie and Elaine El Hayek
C-STEPS Capstone
My experience learning about community-based research with underserved populations has confirmed my decision to become a medical health sciences researcher.
Cade Chilcoat
University of New Mexico, Biochemistry; Psychology
Mentor: Miria Kano; Dolores Guest
C-STEPS Capstone
I am very happy to have had this experience with C-STEPS, as it has helped me to delve into the many facets of healthcare that I may not have otherwise been able to see.
Jari Tavira
Heritage University, Biology
Mentor: Kate Cartwright
C-STEPS Capstone
Thanks to C-STEPS I was able to figure out that I wanted to obtain a master’s in public health.
Andre Villegas
Texas Lutheran University, Biology; Environmental Science
Mentor: Bryce Chackerian
C-STEPS Capstone
[During C-STEPS] I did do some self-guided work, so I learned how to hold myself accountable for my own work.
Lyza Lash
Wayne State University, Statistics; Public Health; Computer Science
Mentor: V. Shane Pankratz
C-STEPS Capstone
His advice [my mentor] and support during this program [C-STEPS] are the primary reasons why I wanted to do more research and why I wanted to earn an advanced degree in biostatistics.
Stephanie Dominquez
University of New Mexico, Population Health
Mentor: Andrew Sussman, Dolores Guest
C-STEPS Capstone
C-STEPS was a great first introduction to research. Through this program, I got the opportunity to build connections with several professionals and ask questions about different careers I would consider.
Amy Martins
University of Arizona, Biomedical Sciences
Mentor: Ursa Brown-Glaberman
C-STEPS Capstone
[C-STEPS] has been an integral part of an internship, providing opportunities that I otherwise never could have received and introducing me to people that have made a profound difference in my undergraduate career.
Rayna Vue
University of New Mexico, Biochemistry Major
Mentor: Debra MacKenzie, PhD, Research Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Poster Title: Longitudinal Study of Carcinogenic Metals in Navajo Children from the Navajo Birth Cohort Study (NBCS)
Jolie Walker
Vassar College, Biochemistry Major
Mentor: Catie Willging, PhD, Center Director (PIRE-Southwest) and Senior Research Scientist II
and
Miria Kano, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Poster Title:
Creating Equity for Sexual and Gender Minority Cancer Patients: The Importance of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Data Collection
Rachel Templeton
University of Pittsburgh, Environmental Engineering Major
Mentor: Matt Campen, PhD, MSPH, Director, New Mexico Center for Metals in Biology and Medicine; Regents’ Professor, College of Pharmacy
Poster Title:
Identification of Laboratory Animal Microplastic Consumption
Abigail Ikechi-Konkwo
University of New Mexico, Biochemistry Major
Mentor: Cindy Blair, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Poster Title:
Longitudinal Associations between Physical Activity and Quality of Life among Older Cancer Survivors During th COVID-19 Pandemic
Samuel Barans
Michigan State University, Psychology and Mathematics Major
Mentor: Annette Crisanti, PhD, Vice Chair of Research and Tenured Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
Poster Title: Trauma in Hispanics at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
Prabhuti Vansadia
University of Florida, Dietetics Major
Mentor: Dolores Guest, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Poster Title:
Evaluating Nutrition Services in Outpatient Cancer Centers in New Mexico
Dana Baca
Duke University, Biology and Global Health Major
Mentor: Kate Cartwright, PhD, MPH, Associate Professor, School of Public Administration
Poster Title:
Improving Colorectal Cancer Screening Accessibility, Compliance, and Equity for American Indian and Alsaka Native Adults: First Results from a Cancer Screening Scoping Review
Megan McCarthy
University of New Mexico, Biology Major
Mentor: Kim Page, PhD, MPH, MS, Professor, Department of Internal Medicine
Poster Title:
Investigating the Impact of Methamphetamine Use on New Mexican Communities During the Opioid Epidemic; Identifying opportunities for Intervention
Edgar Carrete
University of New Mexico, Biology Major
Mentor: Prajakta Adsul, MBBS, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Poster Title:
Cancer Prevention and Control Among LGBTQIA+ Populations in New Mexico
Sreeya Kairamkonda
Colorado State University, Biomedical Sciences Major
Mentor: Prajakta Adsul, MBBS, PhD, MPH, Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Poster Title:
HPV Vaccination Rates in New Mexico and Future Directions for Promoting the HPV Vaccine Among Young Adults
Jordan Charlie
University Of New Mexico, Biology Major
Mentor: Debra Mackenzie, PhD Research Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: Association of Cytokine Levels from Extant Serum Samples with COVID-19
Kailyn Goodwin
University of San Francisco, Biology Major
Mentor: Jean McDougall, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
UPN Poster Title: Promoting Cervical Cancer Screening Using Message Framing to Eliminate Racial Disparities
Jessica Hoffman
Austin College, Biology Major
Mentor: Prajakta Adsul, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: Why do Sexual and Gender Diverse Individuals Forego Cervical Cancer Screenings?
Sophia Jaramillo
New Mexico State University, Kinesiology Major
Mentor: Cynthia Blair, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and
Preventive Medicine
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: Using Sociodemographic-Health Factors to Evaluate the Success of a Physical Activity Intervention in Older Cancer Survivors
Sophia Mourad
University of California, Los Angeles, Biology Major
Mentor: Miria Kano, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: Differing Experiences of Cancer Care in LGBT Individuals vs. Heterosexual, Cisgendered Individuals
Samantha Ogata
New Mexico Highlands University, Biology/Mathematics Major
Mentor: Andrew Sussman, PhD
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: Supporting Women in Survivorship Healthcare: Patient Perspectives Regarding Obstacles to Improving Cancer Survivorship Care
Karenna Sandoval
Arizona State University, Medical Studies Major
Mentor: Marianne Berwick, PhD
Distinguished Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: The Most Effective Method to Achieve Healthy Vitamin D Levels - A Review
Destinee Sandy
New Mexico Highlands University, Biology Major
Mentor: Laurie Hudson, PhD
Regents’ Professor, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
UPN Poster Title: Understanding the Cytotoxic Effects of Vanadium and Cadmium on Renal Proximal Tubule Cells
Cristian Soto
Utah State University, Biology Major
Presented at the 2022 International Cancer Education Conference
Mentor: Dolores Guest, PhD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: Assessment of Nutrition Services Available in New Mexico Outpatient Cancer Facilities
Alexander Vanderwiel
Macalester College, Biology Major
Mentor: Bernard Tawfik, MD
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology
UPN C-STEPS Poster Title: Evaluating Cancer Awareness Months and Cancer Screening Tests Through Internet Search Big Data
Peer and Near Peer Mentors
The C-STEPS program invites students from the prior cohort to serve as peer mentors to a new student cohort to gain experience as an educator.
Ernest Morales Carrasco
Summer: 2024
Institution: University of New Mexico
Degree/Major: BS, Biochemistry and Applied Mathematics
Year of Graduation: 2026
Pauline Nelson
Summer: 2024
Institution: University of New Mexico
Degree/Major: BS in Nursing
Year of Graduation: 2025
May McCarthy
Summer: 2023
Institution: University of New Mexico
Degree/Major: BS, Biology
Year of Graduation: Enrolled
Sam Barans
Summer: 2023
Institution: Michigan State University
Degree/Major: BS, Psychology and Mathematics
Year of Graduation: 2024
Currently pursuing a JD in Criminal Law & PhD in Clinical Psychology at Drexel University
Kailyn Goodwin
Summer: 2022
Institution: University of San Francisco
Degree/Major: BS, Biology
Year of Graduation: 2022
Paige Lynch
Summer: 2023, 2024
Institution: University of New Mexico
Degree/Major: PhD, Anthropology
Year of Graduation: Enrolled
Monica Asencio Pimentel
Summer: 2021, 2022
Institution: University of New Mexico
Degree/Major: PhD, Special Education
Year of Graduation: 2023
Team & Advisory Committee
Senior Director for Research and Professor, Pathology
Director, Undergraduate Pipeline Network (UPN) Program
Associate Director for Education, Training and Mentoring, UNM Cancer Center
Professor, UNM Department of Pathology
Prajakta Adsul, MBBS, MPH, PhD
Assistant Professor, Internal Medicine
Cancer Control and Population Science Research Member
Associate Professor School of Public Administration
Assistant Director
Judith Sheche, MS
Senior Research Scientist
Behavioral Measurement and Population Science Shared Resource (BMPS)
The Executive Advisory Committees responsibilities include:
- Meeting 3 times per year
- Reviewing: recruitment, selection process, annual cohort selection, evaluation of seminars and mentor-mentees, and the long-term sustainability and program enhancement plans
- Regular email updates; provide advice, comments, and recommendations as needed
Jani Ingram, PhD
I am a Regents’ Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Northern Arizona University, the PI of the Partnership of Native American Cancer Prevention, and the Director of Bridging Native American Students to Bachelor’s Degree Program. My expertise is developing training programs for undergraduate students and hands-on mentorship programs. I am also a member of the Navajo Nation.
Robin Harris, PhD, MPH
I am a Professor of Epidemiology at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health at the University of Arizona, Co-Director of the Skin Cancer Institute at the Arizona Cancer Center, and PI of a National Cancer Institute funded T32, “Cancer Prevention and Control Health Disparities Training Program”. My expertise is in population science research focused on community-based research that addresses chronic disease prevention and control.
Shine Chang, PhD
I am the Director of the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (www.CancerPreventionTraining.org) at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, University of Texas System Distinguished Teaching Professor, and Ashbel Smith Full Professor (tenured) in the Department of Epidemiology. At my institution, I also serve as co-program leader for our NCI P30 Cancer Center Support Grant’s Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination resource. With a unifying theme to reduce disparities and increase access and opportunity in health and the biomedical workforce, my expertise is cancer epidemiology and cancer prevention and in training and education for leadership in the field of cancer prevention and control from college through faculty ranks.
Meet the C-STEPS Mentors
Research Assistant Professor, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research Area: Pharmaceutical sciences
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Research Area: Individual-, provider-, and organizational-level determinants influence the implementation (uptake and delivery) of cancer screening services in underserved communities.
Associate Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Research Area: cancer survivorship; lifestyle behavior interventions to improve health and well-being among cancer survivors.
Professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine
Research Area: Shared decision making among health disparity populations, health service delivery, and qualitative methodologies.
Assistant Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Research Area: Nutritional interventions to improve cancer outcomes during and after treatment in outpatient cancer care facilities, nutrition cancer care policy, cancer survivorship.
Distinguished Professor, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Preventive Medicine
Research Area: Etiology and survival of melanoma patients. Evaluating understanding and interest in genetic testing among New Mexicans and in establishing biomarkers to stratify melanoma patients into aggressive and non-aggressive disease in order to improve treatment
Regents’ Professor, College of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Research Area: Metals toxicology and cancer biology including biochemical, cellular, organismal and population studies
Environmental health, effects of complex inhaled pollutant mixtures on health outcomes.
Epidemiology to shape policy decisions and evidence-based interventions by reducing uncertainty in population level exposures to environmental pollutants, key risk factors and targets for intervention.
Cultural and environmental contributors to health; environmental exposures and birth outcomes, cancer risk, and risk reduction.
Breast cancer epidemiology, breast cancer survival disparities in Hispanic women, breast premalignant conditions, and over-diagnosis of breast cancer.
Statistical methodologies, observational epidemiologic studies, clinical trials.
Molecular epidemiology, molecular diagnostic development, translational spectrum of cancer etiology, diagnosis, and prevention.
Structural factors and social determinants influence racial and ethnic health inequities.
“Systems epidemiology” approach in the understanding of etiology and mechanisms for human diseases.
Biological mechanisms following inhaled toxic exposures
NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCOPR); Tomosynthesis Mammography Imaging Screening Trial (TMIST)
Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics methods to study where DNA sustains damage in the genome and how DNA repair proteins function in the context of chromatin.
Vaccines targeting diverse pathogens (including malaria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Sin Nombre virus, and SARS-CoV-2) and vaccines for chronic disease (including dyslipidemia, Alzheimer's, and migraines)
Toxicology and biochemistry
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