Medical Student Research Rotations Opportunity

in Tampa, FL or Ponce, PR

The Ponce Health Sciences University and Moffitt Cancer Center U54 Partnership is accepting applications from Medical Students interested in an 8-week internship at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, FL or at Ponce Health Sciences University in Ponce, PR.

The primary goal of this program is to allow cross-institutional training of students from MCC/USF and Ponce Health Sciences University (PHSU) in multi-disciplinary areas of cancer and health disparities. There will be collaboration opportunities with faculty and students from PHSU. Students will actively participate in research, career development workshops, mentoring, and educational courses including health disparities and molecular tumor boards.

How It Works

The REC provides Medical Students the opportunity and funding to complete rotations in population science, basic and translational research laboratories.

This year, students from PHSU will undertake their research rotation at PHSU in Cancer Research. Students from the University of South Florida (USF) will undertake their research rotation at MCC in Health Disparities.

Dependent on their research rotation site, students will receive a stipend.

Objectives:

- Provide education in research methods with specific experiences to advance cancer research focused on the Puerto Rican and Hispanic/Latino populations.
- Enhance research education in health disparities at Moffitt Cancer Center and provide additional educational opportunities for Puerto Rican post- doctoral fellows.
- Support the career of medical fellows and residents to enhance clinical cancer research capacity in Puerto Rico and treatment of the Puerto Rican population.

Benefits to You

During the 8-week rotation period, participants will be provided with mentored training in cancer research, emerging technologies, research skills, health disparities education, and career development.

After completing the research rotations, students will give an oral presentation to faculty and students at their home institute and submit a written report of their work.

Mentoring

Each Medical Student will have an assigned faculty mentor. All students will have access to a REC Coordinator for assistance in the organization of the research rotation assignments.

Professional Skills and Career Development

Students are expected to participate in 2-3 workshops during the research rotation. Examples of workshops open to all students include:

- Health Disparities Training
- Responsible Conduct of Research
- Biostatistics for the Bio-sciences
- Introduction to Clinical Trials

Trainee specific career development workshops and seminars are also provided such as:

- Making a high impact poster presentation
- How to prepare and interview for post-doctoral positions
- Navigating the Internship and Fellowship Process
- Strategies to secure your first independent academic position
- Choosing your career path in oncology

How to Apply

Research rotations occur in the summer. Applicants must have successfully completed at least the first year of medical school by the beginning of the research rotation and be in good academic standing.

Interested applicants must submit a completed application as follows:

- Application form
- Current Curriculum Vitae
- Undergraduate and Medical transcripts (including transcript of last semester completed)
- Two letters or recommendation
- Good Standing Letter (not required for USF Students)
- Personal letter of interest

Would you like to apply?

Applications for the Summer 2025 cycle are due by February 15, 2025. Please click here to apply.

MCC Flyer PHSU Flyer

2024 Research Rotation Students