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.
PICR membership
Become a trainee member
Undergraduate students engaged in cancer research at Purdue are invited to become trainee members of the cancer institute. Membership offers access to research-focused events such as Cancer Research Day and the PICR Journal Club, as well as eligibility for travel grants and other funding opportunities. Joining as a trainee member connects students to a broader community of researchers and provides early exposure to professional development resources.
STUDENT RESEARCH SUPPORT
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
External funding
CANCER RESEARCH EVENTS
FROM CLASSROOM TO CAREER PATH
Former student spotlight
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.”
What you do beyond the classroom is what makes you unique.
Sam king
Purdue alumnus, former trainee in the Dykhuizen lab
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