NCI Welcomes Second Cohort of iCURE Scholars
“I have made life-long friendships, received excellent mentorship and have grown as a scientist. None of this would have been possible without the experience of being an iCURE scholar,” says Anaisa Quintanilla-Arteaga.
Nine more scholars now have the same opportunity to discover what is possible by participating in NCI’s intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE) program, which provides students and scientists with mentored research experiences and encourages the participation of underrepresented individuals.
NCI’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities introduced the second cohort of iCURE scholars in a welcome ceremony recently at the John Edward Porter Neuroscience Research Center.
The 7 post-baccalaureate individuals, 1 graduate student and 1 postdoctoral scholar who constitute the second cohort are now working in labs and programs across NCI’s campuses in Bethesda, Rockville and Frederick. They are conducting research in areas such as structural biophysics, cancer inflammation, health behaviors research, cell biology and protein dynamics and signaling, among others.
The 9 new scholars join the 15 continuing first-cohort iCURE scholars for a total of 24 iCURE scholars in 2019.
“Just like our inaugural class, this is an impressive group of new iCURE scholars,” said Center for Cancer Research director Dr. Tom Misteli. “They will change our science and our culture.”
Throughout the ceremony, iCURE scholars who introduced their mentors included anecdotes about the support they have received from them, demonstrating the bonds that have formed and grown in the program’s first year.
Scholars described their mentors as their “greatest role model” and as someone who is “there for you mentally and emotionally.”
“For me, it’s already making a huge difference in my career,” remarked scholar Kimberly Meza. “I feel that this experience has really been like no other.”
iCURE is accepting applications until Jan. 17 for research experiences that will begin on Sept. 1.
Visit cancer.gov/about-nci/organization/crchd/diversity-training/icure for more information. Direct any questions to iCURE@nih.gov.