2022 iCURE Scholars Welcomed to DCEG
, by Jennifer K. Loukissas, M.P.P.
New iCURE Scholars Jazmyn Bess and Maxwell Hogshead (second and third from left) with Dominiqua Griffin, Francine Baker, Frank Colón-Matos, and Jackie Lavigne
DCEG welcomed three postbaccalaureate scholars from the NCI Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE) Program: Muzzammil W. Ahmadzada, B.S., working with Shanhinaz Gadalla, M.D., Ph.D., senior investigator in the Clinical Genetics Branch (CGB), and Maxwell H. Hogshead, B.S., working with Ludmilla Prokunina-Olsson, Ph.D., senior investigator in the Laboratory of Translational Genomics (LTG); Jazmyn Bess, M.S., will join in early November to work with Lisa Mirabello, Ph.D., M.S., in CGB, and Mia M. Gaudet, Ph.D., and the Connect for Cancer Prevention Study team. Corey Young, Ph.D., M.S., transitioned to an iCURE postdoctoral scholar and will work with Mitchell Machiela, Sc.D., M.P.H., in the Integrated Tumor Epidemiology Branch (ITEB).
At the welcoming ceremony held on the NIH campus on October 20, Jackie Lavigne, Ph.D., M.P.H., Chief of the Office of Education, delivered an inspiring reflection on what she has learned from scholars. Francine S. Baker, M.S., iCURE scholar in LTG, introduced Dr. LeeAnn Bailey, Chief of the Integrated Networks Branch, in the Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities; Dr. Bailey talked about her experiences mentoring iCURE scholars.
In addition to the new cohort, several current scholars are continuing their training: Ms. Baker, Frank J. Colón-Matos, B.S., in ITEB, Nadine Dogbe, M.Sc., in the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, Lesley Chapman Hannah, Ph.D., in CGB, and Bryan S. Valcarcel, M.D., in the Radiation Epidemiology Branch. Mone't Thompson, B.S., in CGB, will complete her training this fall and plans to begin a graduate program in public health.
iCURE offers mentored research experiences to qualified individuals seeking postbaccalaureate, graduate, or postdoctoral fellowships. The program aims to support the career progress of its scholars toward research independence, as well as foster and sustain diversity in the biomedical research pipeline. Eligible participants receive funding to complete research opportunities in DCEG, the Center for Cancer Research, or the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences for one to three years.
The 2023 iCURE application cycle began October 17 and closes on December 15.