Summer research experiences for medical students supervised by faculty mentors

Since 1977, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK) Summer Research Fellowship Program has empowered approximately 1,500 first- and second-year U.S. medical students to contribute to cutting-edge cancer research. This unique cancer education initiative immerses 30 participants in laboratory and clinical investigations under the direct mentorship of MSK's clinical faculty. Students gain invaluable experience by collaborating with mentors in both basic and clinical research, attending a wealth of didactic programs, mastering the integration of scientific principles with clinical applications, and sharing their research with audiences within a premier academic medical center. The MSK Summer Research Fellowship Program helps a significant challenge in the field of oncology. The need for more oncologists, especially physician-scientists: A significant shortfall in the oncology workforce, particularly among physician-scientists, threatens to impede the progress of cancer research and patient care. This escalating issue, highlighted in 2014 reports by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) | (.gov), stems from an aging population and a diminishing pool of experienced professionals. To overcome this critical challenge, our program seeks to foster student interest in oncology research careers.