Be sure to offer a friendly Case CCC greeting when you see any of the 40 exceptional undergraduates from across the country as they arrive on May 27 as part of the prestigious Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR) Program.
This year’s cohort was selected from an impressive 664 applicants—a 50% increase from the record-breaking pool in 2024, highlighting the growing national interest in careers in cancer research.
Administered by Gena Richman, MEd, and Damian Junk, PhD, in Case CCC's Office of Cancer Training, Education, and Research under the new leadership of Jason Mears, PhD, Case CCC's Associate Director of Training and Education, the CanSUR Program offers a rigorous 10-week summer research experience through immersive lab work, cutting-edge scientific education, and career-building enrichment activities. The program equips participants with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration to make a lasting impact in the field. Ruth Keri, PhD, Case CCC's Associate Director for Basic Research, oversees eight students who work on an additional community-driven component of the program supported by the American Cancer Society.
Kicking off with a dynamic Week One Cancer Immersion, students engage in interactive lectures covering the fundamentals of cancer biology, emerging therapies, and research methodologies. Facility tours and social events foster early camaraderie and team-building, creating a strong foundation for the summer ahead.
The heart of the program lies in the Mentored Research Experience, where each scholar joins a Case CCC laboratory to contribute to active cancer research projects. Working directly with leading scientists, participants gain firsthand experience in hypothesis development, experimental design, data analysis, and presentation of findings. Weekly scientific and career enrichment lunches provide additional value, offering insight into emerging cancer research, communication skills, leadership, and the graduate/medical school application process. Special focus is placed on responsible conduct in research and career readiness.
A highlight for students is connecting with graduate and medical trainees, postdocs, and clinical fellows to learn about pathways in academia, healthcare, industry, and community engagement.
The program culminates with scholars presenting their research findings to faculty, peers, and the broader Case CCC community—an inspiring finale to a transformative summer.