2026 EPCR Spotlight

By IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center
July 30, 2026

The IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center offers summer programs for high school and undergraduate students to explore career paths in cancer research. Students work directly with a mentor physician or researcher, while participating in a wide range of basic science, translational, and clinical research activities.
 
We asked Donald Boyle a few questions about his summer experience.

Name: Donald (Donny) Boyle
School: University of Saint Francis, rising junior
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Summer program: Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR) and Vera Bradley Foundation Next Gen Scholar
Summer mentor: Stephanie Hurwitz, MD, PhD
Career aspirations: Physician

Do you have a personal “why” that drives your interest in cancer research?

My personal 'why' of pursuing my interest in cancer, especially breast cancer, begins with my mother. When she was going through treatment for Stage III breast cancer, she did everything but sit down. My mother kept moving, kept showing up for her family, and kept persevering through it all. Watching my mother refuse to be defined by her diagnosis taught me what real strength looks like. Breast cancer has also touched my family more than once. My aunt was diagnosed, and I lost my grandmother to breast cancer when I was young. Each of these experiences has stayed with me, and together they are a large part of why I'm drawn to cancer research: I want to be part of changing what these stories could look like for other families affected by cancer.

What can you tell us about the research you are doing this summer?

I am currently researching the integrated stress response (ISR); it's a super interesting pathway! With just the right amount of activation, whether from internal or external stress, it can actually make our cells stronger and more fit. I'm investigating why this happens by specifically looking into the epigenetic factors, in the hopes of translating these findings toward improving bone marrow transplant outcomes or identifying potential therapeutic targets for acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

What advice would you give to a future summer program participant?

The advice I would give to future summer program participants is definitely to enjoy being a beginner and have a willingness to learn! I came into this program with no research background, and I could barely handle a pipette. However, thanks to the amazing mentors in my lab, I am now up to speed. Enjoy being a beginner and learning, because you can only be a beginner once!

Is there a memorable moment from this summer that stands out to you?

A memorable event for sure in the lab was when I made a mistake in performing the western blot while I was running my gel. The whole lab, and I mean the whole lab came together and sat down to figure out where I went wrong. Upon figuring out the issue, they gave me such great feedback and guidance on what to do next time. Everybody has been so helpful and supportive!

What has been the biggest challenge you faced, and what did you learn from it?

The biggest challenge I faced was starting from ground zero and facing my fears. I was initially scared of pursuing research due to all the intricate details and the fear of constantly embarrassing myself. However, I learned that the best way to learn is to simply do it. Everybody in my lab is there to help each other out, and with that in mind I gained the knowledge and experience necessary to have a good time and conduct meaningful research.

What has been the most rewarding part of contributing to cancer research?

This experience has been essential in shaping my path toward medicine. Understanding the science behind treatments and therapeutic strategies has definitely given me a stronger foundation and education for my future as a physician. Knowing what goes into research and development of a therapy or treatment will allow me to better educate my patients on the background of the treatments they may receive.