Breast Cancer Undergraduate Research Experience
The purpose of The BCURE Program at UMBC is to involve talented undergraduate students in laboratory-based breast cancer research. The program, which is funded by the Department of Defense (DOD) Breast Cancer Program, includes a $3,500 summer stipend and an end-of-the-program $500 stipend for participation in BCURE Breast Cancer Research Fest. Each participant will participate in a full-time, 10-week summer research experience in a laboratory at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) or the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UM,B) under the direction of an experienced breast cancer researcher/mentor. BCURE Program research mentors represent a broad range of research disciplines related to breast cancer research including: cell biology, biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, virology, endocrinology, and bioengineering. Students will be assigned to research mentors based on research interests. Although it is not required, BCURE Trainees are encouraged to continue work their research projects with their mentors over the academic year, if and when possible.
In addition to laboratory training, students should plan to take a one-credit Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Research course given pass/fail each spring. During the 10-week summer experience, students will meet as a group with the Program Director on a regular basis to discuss their projects and participate in a breast cancer course. In their mentor’s lab, they also will participate in research-related activities, such as laboratory meetings, journal clubs, etc. All participants will learn how to prepare a scientific poster. They must present and discuss their research results at the Summer Research Fest in August and with senior breast cancer researchers at the one-day Breast Cancer Research Day held toward the end of the academic year.
