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Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences

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2024 CURE Students
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Steven Chen, a Biotechnology major, researches genome-stabilizing protein senataxin in Jacqueline Barlow’s lab. He focuses on how loss of senataxin function leads to reactive oxygen species, genome instability, and immune activation. After graduation, Steven plans to pursue a graduate degree in cancer biology or stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, advancing our understanding of these critical areas of biology.
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Elizabeth Do majors in Molecular and Medical Microbiology and minors in History. In Stefan Keller’s lab, she investigates T-cell receptor diversity as a diagnostic tool for feline intestinal lymphoma. Elizabeth plans to pursue a career in the industry before starting a Ph.D. program in microbiology, applying her research skills to real-world medical challenges.
Mehad Elshaikh headshot
Mehad Elshaikh, a Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior major, works in Jacqueline Barlow’s lab. She studies Pyridostatin, a G-Quadruplex stabilizer, effect on Leukemia and Lymphoma cell lines. She has won awards for her research at ABRCMs and URSCA. Post-graduation, Mehad plans to pursue a graduate degree and a career integrating neurobiology and cancer biology, continuing her impactful research.
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Karla Elena Gonzalez, a Genetics and Genomics and Chicana/o Studies double major, researches cancer genetics in Carvajal-Carmona’s lab, focusing on disease risk variants in indigenous Colombian populations. Active in the Educational Opportunity Program and other campus clubs, Karla aims to obtain a Ph.D. in genetics with an emphasis on cancer, contributing to revolutionary discoveries in cancer and human genetics.
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Abraham Morales, a Medical and Molecular Microbiology major, works in Stephanie Goldschmidt’s lab, focusing on oral cancers. He assists in determining the effectiveness of Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging for diagnosing these cancers and examines if desirable proteins are good targets for this imaging. Abraham plans to use the skills gained in the lab in his medical career, applying his research experience to advance cancer diagnostics and treatment.
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Ana Ximena Rodriguez Parra, a Biological Systems Engineering major, researches gene expression in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in Chang-Il Hwang’s lab. As the histology team leader, she has received the Provost’s Undergraduate Fellowship. Post-graduation, Ana aims to pursue a Ph.D. in biomedical engineering, focusing on biotechnology and continuing her impactful research in cancer progression and treatment.
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Anthony Jacobo Gonzalez, a Global Disease Biology major with a Public Health Sciences minor, researches CBFβ interactions in Osteosarcoma in Luke Wittenburg’s lab. Raised in Pittsburg, CA, he has presented at multiple conferences, including ABRCMS. Anthony aspires to guide underrepresented students and pursue a Ph.D. in Drug Development, aiming to discover novel therapeutics for Osteosarcoma.
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Celia Tan, a Genetics and Genomics major from San Francisco, CA, works in Wolf-Dietrich Heyer’s lab, studying Rad51 and BRCA2 gene functions. She plans to pursue an M.D./Ph.D. dual degree program after graduation, combining her research experience with medical training to contribute to advancements in genetics and genomics.

The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Program addresses the pressing need for a cancer research community that reflects the nation’s heterogeneity and is sensitive to the significant disparities in cancer health across populations.

The CURE Program covers two years of training in cancer research for UC Davis undergraduates in their junior and senior years, with the ultimate goal of student entry into the professional pipeline in cancer research as physicians, veterinarians, or scientists.

The CURE Program is funded by the National Cancer Institute.

Curriculum

CURE is a one- to two-year program for upper division students.

Junior Year
  • The summer will include (a) full-time research in a UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center member laboratory; (b) professional development activities offered in weekly meetings; and (c) poster presentations at the Summer Poster Symposium.
  • The academic year will include (a) part-time research; (b) participation in the junior professional development seminar (BIS 198); (c) attendance of weekly Cancer Biology Research Seminars, hosted by the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center; (d) presentation of work at the Annual Cancer Symposium & the UC Davis Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference
Senior Year
  • The summer will include (a) participation in a second summer research internship for an advanced full-time research experience; (b) professional development activities offered in weekly meetings; and (c) poster presentations at the Summer Poster Symposium
  • The academic year will include (a) part-time research; (b) participation in the senior professional development seminar (BIS 198); (c) attendance of weekly Cancer Biology Research Seminars, hosted by the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center; (d) presentation of work at the Annual Cancer Symposium and the UC Davis Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activities Conference

Support

CURE:
  • provides a stipend of $4,000 per summer
  • provides a stipend of $1,000 per academic quarter
  • provides professional development opportunities and advising

CURE Participant Obligations

  • commit 12-24 months to the program
  • engage in research 10 hours per week during the academic year
  • engage in research 40 hours per week during the summer
  • attend all regularly scheduled meetings, program workshops and functions
  • meet regularly with the CURE adviser
  • register for and attend the BIS 198 seminar quarterly
  • maintain competitive GPA
  • actively engage in their research lab, attend lab meetings etc.