This summer, the PathMaker Program welcomed 13 new scholars from Utah, Nevada, Idaho, and Virginia—and welcomed back its second-year cohort of 11 students from Wisconsin, Delaware, Utah, Wyoming, and Alaska. The PathMaker Scholars Summer Research Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute seeks to increase the participation of underrepresented students in biomedical cancer research and encourage students to prepare for careers in research, medicine, and education. The program sponsors students for ten-week residential summer research experiences, where they live on campus, learn laboratory training techniques, and work on a project with a principal investigator in a university laboratory setting.
This year scholars from the Camp Lab had the opportunity to shadow fellow HCI doctors while they were working with patients. Students shared that it was one of their highlights over the summer—and that the opportunity to witness hands-on patient care was especially meaningful. One student shared that her shadowing experience helped her see what her day-to-day life could be if she pursued her dream of becoming a doctor or researcher.
Between working with their mentors in their labs, scholars participated in weekly professional development workshops where they were able to grow their professional and personal skills. Some workshops included learning about financial wellness and budgeting, how to apply for medical school, learning how HCI operates in the 5-state region it serves, and volunteering with campus partners at the Bennion Center to create Happy Birthday cards for the Boys and Girls Club.
At the end of the 10-week program, students showcased their summer research at the University of Utah Undergraduate Research Symposium. At the closing ceremony, scholars shared their gratitude with The Huntsman Cancer Institute, their mentors, and the PathMaker Scholars program team for a summer filled with opportunity that got them one step closer to achieving their dreams of working in healthcare.
To learn more about the program, please visit the PathMaker Scholars program website. Program administrators strongly encourage students from any and all backgrounds who are interested in biomedical cancer research and healthcare to apply. The next round of applications will open in November.
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