2023 Summer Intern Program
, by Dominiqua Griffin, Ph.D.
In the summer of 2023, 30 interns hailing from 12 states and the District of Columbia, came to do research in every branch and the Trans-Divisional Research Program. In addition, the program returned to being fully in-person, and programming was offered in a hybrid model. While the main focus of the internship program was for interns to conduct research with their mentors and submit final projects, the interns had various opportunities to network and develop the tools necessary to advance their careers. These included:
- Cancer Health Disparities Journal Club, run by Camryn Cohen, B.S., and Summer Harvey, M.P.H., and additional content from Jack Murphy, Ph.D., M.P.H., and Akemi Wijayabahu, Ph.D., M.P.H.
- ‘Epidemiology 101’ taught by Sararat (Joy) Tosakoon, B.S., Jack Murphy, Ph.D., M.P.H., Akemi Wijayabahu, Ph.D., M.P.H., Batel Blechter, Ph.D., M.A., Sairah Khan, M.P.H., Joshua R. Freeman, Ph.D., M.P.H., and Thi-Van-Trinh Tran, Ph.D., M.P.H.
- LTG Summer Journal Club, an eight-week course organized by Abigail Dennis, M.S., and Kaitlin Forsythe, B.S.A.
- DCEG End of Summer Celebration and Poster Session and the NIH Summer Intern Poster Event, in which many of our interns presented at both events.
In addition, they enjoyed career development opportunities and social activities including:
- Young Investigator Panel including Batel Blechter, Ph.D., M.A., Yingxi Cimo Chen, M.D., Ph.D., Keith Griffin, Ph.D., Maria Kamenetsky, Ph.D., and Jessica Madrigal, Ph.D.
- Medical School Panel delivered by Michael R. Sargen, M.D., assistant clinical investigator in the Clinical Genetics Branch
- Poster design workshop delivered by Maura Kate Costello, M.A., science writer-editor on the Communications Team
- "Flamingle" scavenger hunt and flamingo-themed social, organized by Diane Wigfield.
- Fellows and Interns Meet Up organized by Cato Milder, Ph.D., M.S.P.H., and Dr. Wijayabahu, the current DCEG Fellows Engagement Co-Chairs.
Coordination of the summer internship program and support were provided by Dr. Dominiqua Griffin and Diane Wigfield, staff in the Office of Education, the NCI Training Directors, and 35 DCEG staff, including branch directors, investigators, staff scientists, trainees, and a contractor, who served as mentors.
How to Become a Summer Intern
Applications for the NIH summer internship program are typically accepted starting in mid-November each year. Our Summer Internships page lists application due dates and eligibility.
NCI values diversity and particularly encourages applications from individuals from diverse backgrounds, including those from groups underrepresented in the cancer research workforce, for example those from the groups listed in the Notice of NIH’s Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031). We want your unique voice to contribute to the depth and breadth of scientific research in DCEG.
Read more about how to become a summer intern.
Explore the DCEG website to learn more about our research.
