Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Program
For Undergraduate Students who are from ethnic or racial groups that are under-represented in health-related sciences
DICR is a paid summer research training program for college undergraduates who
are interested in cancer research.
The DICR is funded primarily by the American Cancer Society.
Help the Fight Against Cancer
Take part in ongoing research at The University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center. Here are some examples of ongoing projects:
- Understanding how arsenic and uranium in water sources may cause cancer (Mentors: Lewis and MacKenzie)
- Tumor immunology and ovarian cancer (Mentors: Adams/Steinkamp/Hudson/Wandinger-Ness)
- Understanding the role of the gut microenvironment in cancer development (Mentor: Castillo)
- Hematopoietic and leukemic stem cell regulation (Mentor: Gillette)
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) infections and treatments for HPV-induced precancers (Mentor: Ozbun)
- Growth-factor and immune-receptor signaling & cancer (Mentor: D. Lidke)
- Identifying causes and treatments for breast cancer (Mentors: Prossnitz/Hathaway)
- Genomic and data analyses for personalized cancer therapies (Mentors: Ness/Lee/Guo)
- Genetic mutations that influence intestinal crypt cells to initiate intestinal cancers (Mentor: In)
- DNA Damage and Repair in Cancer (Mentor: Thomkinson)
- Developing & Testing of Cancer Early Detection and Prevention Interventions (Mentor: Mishra)
Cancer affects people everywhere of every age and every race. You can join the fight against it. You can help scientists and doctors learn more about cancer. And you can share what you learn with other students, cancer scientists and doctors, and the people in your community.
Pursuing a Health Degree?
Discover the many health degree programs offered at UNM Health and Health Sciences and learn how to navigate your pre-health journey.
Work in a Lab with Our Research Experts
Learn important skills that will help you in college and beyond!- Complete a one-week introductory course on cancer.
- Conduct scientific research in community, public or environmental health — learn from the scientists themselves!
- Work with cancer research teams
- Learn from mentors, peers, and diverse groups of people
- Explain cancer research to family, community, teachers, peers
- Learn how to prepare applications for graduate and/or medical school
- Discover career opportunities where you can apply your science knowledge
DICR Program Details
DICR provides paid internships for students participating in 40 hours per week during the summer.
Students are required to:
- Make a commitment to completing the program
- Attend UNM seminars, lectures, training sessions and activities
- Select UNM Cancer Research Faculty and “near-peer” mentors
- Choose a research project in laboratory cancer research
- Consult with UNM Faculty and near-peer mentors
- Final Project Presentation - Share what was learned in a scientific poster presentation and short oral video presentation
- Meet with cancer research mentors monthly (via Zoom or in person) for discussions following UNMCCC Research Program meetings (Aug 2022 to May of 2022). Mentors will also be committed to follow-up encouragement and support of their DICR scholars to assist in applying to summer 2023 research activities, applying to graduate/ professional schools, and/or pursuing cancer research related professions.
- Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident (green card holder).
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S. at the time of the program; have a graduation date no earlier than the December after the summer program ends.
- Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Are from an under-represented group(s) in the biomedical sciences. As defined by NIH, underrepresented groups include women, underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities (Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders), persons with disabilities, those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Additional categories considered include sexual and gender minorities.
Apply via the UNM Undergraduate Pipeline Network (UPN) Program
2023 deadlines:
- The application went live October 1, 2022
- The application deadline is February 1, 2023
- and the Program will run from May 30 - August 4, 2023
2022 deadlines:
- UPN 2022 Program Dates: June 1 - August 5
- October 1, 2021 our UPN application went live
- February 1, 2022 was our UPN application deadline
The Program ran from May 31 - August 5, 2022