ResearcHStart
ResearcHStart is a multi-institutional program welcoming high school students from the Chicago and Urbana-Champaign areas to explore exciting careers in cancer research. Participants work full-time in the laboratories of established cancer researchers, gaining hands-on experience in areas at the forefront of the field: cancer immunology, bioengineering, experimental cancer therapeutics, cancer disparities, and more.
The program complements rigorous research training with career development and skill-building workshops, a cancer-based faculty lecture series, and a network of faculty and peer mentors dedicated to students’ success. The program culminates in a research symposium for family, friends, and scientific community members. Participants receive a taxable stipend of $3,000. To learn more about the program, visit the University of Chicago’s main researcHStart website via the link below.
Goals
- Introduce students to cutting-edge cancer research and promote career opportunities in the field
- Help students gain knowledge in biophysics, biochemistry, immunology, and pharmacology
- Help students gain an understanding of cancer and its impact on Illinois residents
Dates
ResearcHStart generally runs from the second full week of June through the first week of August. Specific dates are announced with the release of application materials each fall.
Student Benefits
- Taxable stipend of $3,000
- Exposure to top universities in Illinois
- Targeted career development and skill-building workshops
- Hands-on experience in a cutting-edge laboratory or research group
- Ongoing mentorship from faculty, research professionals, program personnel, and peers
Admission Process
Admission to researcHStart is highly competitive. No more than 30 participants will be selected, based on their stated interest in the program, academic record, and letters of recommendation.
Conflict of Interest Policy: The selection of applicants is managed by the site leadership teams. Immediate family members of the site leadership teams or of the researcHStart Advisory Committee are ineligible for the program. Immediate family members of faculty from a given site are ineligible for that site. All applications will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Policy.
How to Apply
- Review the applicant information packet.
- Submit the online application form.
- Identify two individuals (at least one teacher) to complete the online applicant recommendation form. An instruction sheet for recommenders is available here.
- Applicants who advance to the second round: Complete an in-person interview with the program leadership team at the respective site.
Eligibility
- High school junior or senior at time of application
- At least 16 years of age at start of program
- Strong interest in a career in scientific research or medicine
- Strong academic record, particularly in math and science
- Ability to commit to 8 full weeks of programming, 40 hours/week
Past Cohorts
2023 Cohort
(left to right): Savindi Devmal, Kara Mathias, Kenzie Hales, Hailey Downs, Charlotte Chesser, Aya Surheyao
2022 Cohort
Back row (left to right): Amy Li, Sarah Guo, and Lily Weaver
Front row (left to right): Noam Kramer, Mariam Vaid, and Samara Rezwan
2021 Cohort
Back row (left to right): Malcolm Forsyth, Grace Juhn, Ibrahim Sali, and Jasmine O’Connor
Front row (left to right): Keshav Gandhi, Olivia Rosenstein, Raneem Saadah, and Sarah Park
2020 Cohort
The 2020 cohort was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2019 Cohort
Left to right: Sid Panda, Zona Hrnjak, Kristine Wang, Emma Hambley, Anushka Agrawal, Neha Hebbar, and Erica Guelfi
2018 Cohort
Left to right: Josh Sanford, Anneliese Paton, Uma Basole, Ira and Debra Cohen (Program Supporters), Eman Zwawi, Ritu Dave, Esther Chung, and Edith Yao
2017 Cohort
Left to right: Robert Forsyth, Sarah Matatov, Jarron Roy, Yichen Yao, Joy Chen, Malaak Saadah, Elizabeth Breen, Malaak Saadah, and Aditi Mehta
2016 Cohort
Back row (left to right): Kaviamuthan Kanakaraju, Samuel Hotchkiss, Bhargav Yadavalli, and Jonathan Wang
Front row (left to right): Caitlin O’Callaghan and Hailan Shanbhag
2015 Cohort
Left to right: Angela Lee, Katie Finn, Debra Cohen (Program Supporter), Isabella Lee, and Callie Miller
Have a Question?
The main researcHStart website has an FAQ section addressing many commonly asked questions about the program.
Contacts
Primary Program Contact
Megan McKinda
researchstart@bsd.uchicago.edu
773-702-4678
Illinois Program Contacts
Marcia “Marci” Pool
mpool@illinois.edu