Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate students build a foundation in cancer research through hands-on experiences and mentorship from leading scientists. The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research offers opportunities to develop technical skills, explore cutting-edge discoveries, and prepare for future graduate or professional training.
EMERGING SCIENTISTS
The next generation of cancer researchers
Get the opportunity to contribute to advancing cancer research at Purdue through immersive lab experiences, summer programs, and connections to national internships. These opportunities provide early exposure to cutting-edge science while fostering critical thinking and analytical skills. The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) supports a collaborative environment where undergraduate researchers gain experience presenting their work and engaging with faculty mentors and peers. This early involvement lays the groundwork for future careers in research, medicine, biotechnology and more.
Become a trainee member
Undergraduate students engaged in cancer research at Purdue can become trainee members of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. Membership offers access to research-focused events such as Cancer Research Day and the Cancer Journal Club, as well as eligibility for travel grants and other internal funding opportunities. Joining as a trainee member connects students to a broader community of researchers and provides early exposure to professional development resources.
Funding opportunities for undergraduates
Students involved in cancer research at PICR can apply for funding designed to strengthen research experience and professional development. Opportunities include summer research stipends for laboratory training, a research achievement award, and travel grants to present cancer-related findings at conferences. These programs support promising students as they build scientific skills, share insights and explore careers in cancer research.
Internal funding
The Summer Research Undergraduate Experience (RUE) provides support for Purdue undergraduate students to conduct cancer-focused research in the laboratory of a PICR faculty member. This competitive program offers funding for an eight-week summer project and is designed to give undergraduates early, hands-on experience in cancer research while building skills for future academic and professional opportunities.
The PICR Outstanding Undergraduate Student Research Award honors an exceptional undergraduate trainee for excellence in cancer research. This annual $1,000 award recognizes a student who demonstrates strong commitment, creativity, and potential to make meaningful contributions to the field. The award is presented each spring at the PICR awards ceremony.
Travel grants support undergraduate students who are presenting cancer-related research at regional or national conferences. Open to PICR trainee members working under the guidance of institute faculty, this grant helps cover travel costs for students selected to share their work through papers or posters. The program is designed to strengthen communication skills, expand professional networks, and deepen engagement in cancer research by enabling students to participate in scholarly activities beyond campus.
External funding
The American Association for Cancer Research offers a variety of programs for students interested in exploring careers in cancer research. Opportunities include workshops, fellowships, and educational experiences designed to build scientific skills and professional networks.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) offers a listing of summer programs for undergraduates interested in pursuing careers in medical research.
With a mission of transforming health care in medical education, health care, medical research and community collaborations, the AAMC is a not-for-profit association serving the academic medicine community.
The following sites may also be resources for finding internships:
Graduating seniors may want to consider baccalaureate programs such as:
Current medical students may be interested in:
CANCER RESEARCH EVENTS
FORMER STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
‘What you do beyond the classroom is what makes you unique’’
A former student in the lab of PICR member and program co-leader Emily Dykhuizen, Sam King graduated in 2024 with a degree in pharmaceutical sciences. King’s undergraduate research in Dykhuizen’s lab helped propel a passion for cancer science that is shaping his future as a physician-scientist.
While studying epigenetics and cancer progression, King tested potential drugs on patient-derived cancer cells and explored how proteins influence tumor growth at the molecular level. His experience at Purdue, combined with internships at the Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health, broadened his perspective on how different institutions approach cancer research. Now pursuing a combined MD/PhD in Oregon Health Science University’s Medical Scientist Training Program, is combining clinical insight with basic science research to advance cancer therapies.
“I would encourage future students to take advantage and get involved with opportunities that excite them. You never know what you will learn, or who you will meet. What you do beyond the classroom is what makes you unique.”
Contact Us
Get in touch
Phone: 765-494-9129
Fax: 765-494-9193
Email: cancerresearch@purdue.edu
Meet our team
Find us
201 S. University St.
Hansen Life Sciences Bldg, Rm. 141
West Lafayette, IN 47907