By Candace Gwaltney
Aug. 20, 2026
Cancer center’s summer research programs offer hands-on learning experiences for next generation of scientists
The Indiana University Melvin and Bren Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center hosted more than 70 summer program participants for hands-on cancer research experiences that cultivate the next generation of scientists.
The eight- to 10-week experiences included programs for high school students, high school teachers, undergraduate students and medical school students. The 70 participants were matched with cancer center researchers who mentored them and guided their research experience.
Summer research programs at the cancer center are supported by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) through education grants (R25), including a grant for Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR) and an R25 award for Summer Program for Academic Research in Cancer (SPARC).
The summer programs culminated in a closing session on July 30 that offered participants an opportunity to showcase their research projects and contributions. Students presented their projects through 53 posters, sharing their work with family, friends, staff, fellow students and mentors.
“We had the pleasure of celebrating students from many different backgrounds and stages of their academic journeys, including those returning to previous labs, those exploring new lab placements, first-time undergraduate researchers, and high school students participating for the first time,” said Rachel Bauer, cancer center program management specialist and summer programs lead.
This year, eight students participated in the Future Scientist Program, which was generously supported by a Lilly Foundation grant. The program is specifically for high school juniors attending Indianapolis and Marion County public schools.
Among the participants was Pike High School senior Florence Bosslet who said she applied for the program after discovering a love for biology and wondered if she would like a career in research.
“I loved my research experience, and I do think that I would like it to be a part of my future career in some way," Bosslet said. "Getting to experience a setting where everyone around me is interested in what they do showed me that I can find something that I am just as passionate about — whether it is research, medicine or something else entirely.”
Future Deaf Scientist program returns for second year
Five students from the Indiana School for the Deaf participated in the Future Deaf Scientist program, which debuted in 2025. During the four-week program, interns shadowed physicians and scientists in clinical and laboratory settings. They also had the opportunity to participate in discussions with Deaf physicians.
The Future Deaf Scientist program is supported by a National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant awarded to the University of Rochester and sub-contracted to IU to expand the initiative.
Inaugural class of Vera Bradley Foundation Next Generation Scholars
In recognition of the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer and its $50 million commitment to breast cancer research, the cancer center created the Vera Bradley Foundation Next Generation Scholars Program. The northeast Indiana foundation is the namesake of the cancer center’s Vera Bradley Foundation Center for Breast Cancer Research. The Next Generation Scholar program is open to students from Allen County or one of the contiguous counties: Adams, Wells, Huntington, Whitley, Noble or DeKalb counties or students enrolled in Fort Wayne-area universities.
Four students were named Vera Bradley Foundation Next Generation Scholars: Donald Boyle, Alejandra Perez, Liliana Rivera and Kaitlyn Rochester, all part of the Educational Pathways for Cancer Research (EPCR) program.
Republic Airways Summer Scholars honors students’ impact
Thanks to generous support from Republic Airways, five students were honored as Republic Airways Summer Scholars.
The Republic Airways Summer Scholars were: Miu Ichikawa of the Future Scientist Program, Rebeka Nieten of the EPCR program, and Hargoon Kaur, Brianna Lane and Noah Xique of the Cancer Research Internship Summer Program.
These students, including several returning program participants, were selected as scholars because of their impact on the program. Additionally, each student actively engaged in programming, asked questions, and helped other students.
Meet our 2026 participants
Summer programs happen thanks to cancer center researchers, staff
The cancer center’s summer research programs are only possible because of the dedicated cancer center researchers who serve as mentors, hosting students in their labs and research spaces, and the staff who organize the multi-week experiences.
"Team efforts are on display at the cancer center," said Hari Nakshatri, BVSc, PhD, associate director of education for the cancer center and Marian J. Morrison Professor of Breast Cancer Research. “Without the efforts of cancer center staff, mentors and the local area high school teachers, it is impossible to implement the summer research programs. Several mentors have been hosting these trainees year after year, which clearly show their commitment to train the next generation of scholars. Our sincere thanks to the National Cancer Institute, Lilly Foundation, Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer, Republic Airways, American Cancer Society and individual donors to cancer center for their financial support.”
Liz Yeh, PhD, and Shannon Hawkins, MD, PhD, serve as co-directors of the summer research programs.
Without the efforts of cancer center staff, mentors and the local area high school teachers, it is impossible to implement the summer research programs.
— Hari Nakshatri, BVSc, PhD, associate director of education
Additionally, the following cancer center staff were integral to the planning and execution of the summer research program: Bauer, Tina Hedges, Rachael Hyndman, Liz Parsons, Kristin Scott, Steven Verhagen and Tracy Winkle.
“Students expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the mentors who invested in their time, guidance and encouragement,” Bauer said. “It was inspiring to hear them reflect on the meaningful relationships they built and the lasting impact this opportunity has had on their personal and professional growth.”
Cancer center researchers who served as summer research program mentors were: Steve Angus, Rita Assi, Candice Brown, Chris Collier, Michele Coté, Charlie Dong, Asmaa Elkenawi, Jill Fehrenbacher, Melissa Fishel, Jonathan Flak, Ed Greenfield, Peter Gunderman, Shannon Hawkins, Josh Huot, Stephanie Hurwitz, Travis Jerde, Casey Katerndahl, Rachel Katzenellenbogen, Pravin Kaumaya, Yuliya Klymenko, Ana Leal, Yuan Liu, Pat Loehrer, Jessica Maiers, Rohan Maniar, Ashiq Masood, Ana Mendes, Hari Nakshatri, Allison Norlander, Mat Opyrchal, Padmanabhan Pattabiraman, Gang Peng, Fabrizio Pin, George Sandusky, Uma Sankar, Rajesh Sardar, Reza Shahbazi, Rakesh Shiradkar, Tyler Shugg, Pratibha Singh, Brenda Smith, Attaya Suvannasankha, Jeffery Tharp, Andrew Tilston-Lunel, Ngoc Tung, John Turchi, Fletcher White, Liz Yeh, Ji Zhang, Wen Zhang, and Xiaoling Zhong.
