Program Directory
Your go-to people — reach out anytime
Meet Your Cohort
Get to know the people you'll be spending the summer with
2026 Program Calendar
June through August · Internship begins June 1 · Click "+ Add" to save any event to your calendar
Deliverables Tracker
Everything you need to submit this summer, in order. This is your checklist.
Journal Club
Three sessions this summer, each hosted by a partner institution
New to journal club? Start here.
A journal club is a regular gathering where everyone reads the same scientific paper ahead of time, then meets to discuss it — asking questions, examining the methods, and weighing the conclusions together. It's one of the best ways to build the skill of reading primary literature. These two short guides from trusted sources will help you prepare and get the most out of each session:
What's expected of you at every session
- Read the assigned article and supplemental materials in advance.
- Join with your video on — these are interactive discussions, not lectures.
- Come prepared to contribute.
Journal Club Format
- Presentation (~30 min) — selected interns present the assigned journal article as a group.
- Small-Group Discussion (10 min) — each presenter facilitates one small group in a breakout room using the pre-determined discussion questions. Each group selects 1–2 representatives to share their key points during the full-group debrief.
- Large-Group Discussion (10 min) — everyone reconvenes for a final discussion, led by Dr. Nelson (UCI session) and Dr. Myles Cockburn (USC session).
UC Irvine
Read the article →
USC
Read the article →
USC Session — presenter volunteers
- We need 3 volunteers to present the article. If I don't have volunteers by Thursday, July 30, presenters will be randomly selected. Slides are required for the presentation.
- The discussion questions are linked in the USC card above. Volunteer presenters decide which questions to cover in the breakout rooms; if an agreement isn't reached, Domenica will assign the questions.
Poster & Presentation Toolkit
Everything you need to build, submit, and present your research poster
Poster Specifications
Steps & Deadlines
- Attend the Poster & Abstract Workshop — Wed, July 1, 2 pm (Zoom). This walks you through the whole process.
- Draft your poster using the specs at left. Ask your mentor to review early.
- Submit your poster file for printing by Monday, July 27 — email the PDF to acs-dicr@usc.edu.
- Present at Final Day Presentations — Wed, Aug 5, 3 pm, NRT LG 503.
Where to Present Your Research
Upcoming conferences accepting abstracts from undergrads in cancer & biomedical research
ABRCMS 2026 — Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minoritized Scientists
Built for undergrad and post-bacc researchers. Accepts oral, poster, and ePoster submissions across many disciplines including cancer biology. Eligibility: sophomores, juniors, seniors, and community college students — freshmen are not eligible. Travel awards and registration waivers available; acceptance notifications by Oct 5.
Visit submission page →SACNAS National Diversity in STEM (NDiSTEM) 2026
Equips researchers from historically excluded backgrounds with presentation skills and mentoring. Welcomes undergrads from any STEM discipline including cancer biology. Requires a current SACNAS student-level membership to apply. Long Beach is a short drive from USC.
Visit submission page →NCUR 2027 — National Conference on Undergraduate Research
An interdisciplinary conference welcoming undergrads from all fields. NCUR generally expects completed undergrad-led research — projects still in progress at the December deadline may not be a good fit. Hosts up to 4,000 students annually. Full event info publishes August 2026.
Visit conference page →AACR Annual Meeting 2027 — Undergraduate Student Caucus & Poster Competition (USCPC)
The flagship undergrad opportunity in cancer research. Eligible registrants receive complimentary AACR Annual Meeting registration and compete for Margaret Foti Foundation Undergraduate Prizes. Open to full-time undergrads and post-baccalaureate students interested in cancer and biomedical science.
Visit USCPC page →USC Undergraduate Symposium for Scholarly & Creative Work
USC's annual undergrad showcase. USC-enrolled undergrads only — non-USC interns aren't eligible. Poster, oral, art, and electronic-media formats. Awards ceremony follows. The most accessible local option for USC interns.
Visit AHF Symposium page →Resources for Your Summer
Hand-picked guides from trusted sources — bookmark the ones you need
Starting in the Lab
Reading & Understanding Papers
Working With Your Mentor
Data & Analysis Basics
Science Communication
Wellbeing & Confidence
It's completely normal to feel out of your depth when you're new to research — nearly everyone does. Reach out to your mentor or the program team anytime.
Getting Here
Finding the meeting locations on the USC Health Sciences Campus (HSC)
Getting to campus
- By shuttle (recommended): Take the USC Shuttle to HSC from UPC / Union Station. Check the schedule on the USC Transportation site.
- By car: The address you should put in your GPS is 1450 Biggy Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90033. There is metered parking on Biggy Street and close to it.
NRT LG 503 / 504
- The USC Shuttle drops you on Eastlake, just south of Biggy — right next to the NRT building.
- Exit the shuttle and walk down Eastlake to Biggy Street.
- Turn left at the STOP sign and walk straight down Biggy Street.
- The entrance to the Norris Research Tower is on your left-hand side (see photo below).
- NCCC administrative staff will let you in and direct you to conference room LG 503/4.
- Driving? You can park at the metered parking on Biggy Street, or find more parking info here: HSC parking map.
Soto Patio
- Outdoor patio at the Soto Street Building I on the HSC Campus.
- The address of the building is Soto Street Building I (SSB), 1845 N Soto St, Los Angeles, CA 90032.
- By shuttle: some shuttles that go to HSC also stop at Soto (ask the driver just in case); there are also shuttles that go to Soto from HSC.
- Driving? There is metered parking at the Soto Building.