Pediatric Oncology Education (POE) Program

Pediatric Oncology Education program at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

The POE program, funded by the National Institutes of Health / National Cancer Institute, offers a unique opportunity for students preparing for careers in the biomedical sciences, medicine, nursing, pharmacy, psychology, or public health to gain biomedical and oncology research experience. The POE program provides a short-term training experience (internship) in either laboratory research or clinical research.

A primary goal of the program is to encourage students to pursue a career in cancer research, either as a laboratory-based scientist or a physician scientist. Thus, qualified students with an interest in cancer research are particularly encouraged to apply.

Requirements:
Trainees MUST be a United States citizen, non-citizen national, or possess a visa permitting permanent residence in the United States (required by the funding organization). Most POE students are highly qualified undergraduate or graduate students preparing for careers in medicine or biomedical sciences. A few are attending or have been accepted into a medical, pharmacy, or nursing school. POE students MUST have an undergraduate GPA of at least a 3.40/4.00 in math and science (biology, chemistry, physics) AND at least a 3.40 overall. Graduate students and medical students must also meet the undergraduate GPA requirements. POE students will have completed at least their sophomore year of college when they begin the program. There are NO EXCEPTIONS to these requirements. Because our program is so competitive, sophomores should not apply unless they have relevant research experience. While not required, most successful applicants have prior research experience.

Stipend and Housing:
Participants will receive a $4,000 stipend for their summer appointment. Group housing close to our campus will be available at no cost for POE students coming from outside the Memphis metropolitan area.

Laboratory Research Training:
Trainees engaged in laboratory research work in one of the many interesting and important areas of St. Jude oncology research. Some examples of ongoing basic science projects are studies on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), hematopoietic growth factors and receptor signaling; cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and the relationship between gene mutations and drug resistance. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacology research involves studies of both current and new drugs and their effects on childhood cancers. Trainees gain valuable experience in basic molecular laboratory research techniques, including cloning, cell culture, sample preparation and performing assays. They may do computer research data processing and analysis under their mentor's guidance.

Clinical Research Training:
Medical students will work in clinical research with physicians and staff in areas such as chart review, record screening and examination, data collection and entry. Medical students may, under faculty supervision, attend clinics and observe procedures. Trainees may perform computer research data processing and analysis under their mentor's guidance. Medical students or undergraduates with sufficient computer skills may work on radiological sciences projects such as MR image analysis or radiation therapy treatment planning. Nursing students will work on nursing research projects.

Oral and Written Reports:
At the end of appointment, all participants are required to make a PowerPoint presentation on their research project. They are also required to submit a written report on their research project in the style of a journal in which their mentor publishes.

Deadline:
Qualified students may apply now for POE 2012. The deadline for receipt of ALL POE 2012 application materials is February 1, 2012. Items (i.e. transcripts, letters of recommendation) emailed (applicant's name in the subject line, please), postmarked, or faxed to Dr. Gronemeyer (suzanne.gronemeyer@stjude.org) no later than February 1, 2012 will be accepted. Letters sent as PDF attachments to email and electronic transcripts are preferred.
All credentials must be sent by the university (or in sealed official envelopes). Early submission of credentials is encouraged, since those applying in the last few weeks before the deadline run a high risk of not having all their credentials submitted by the deadline.

Members of under-represented ethnic minority groups and women are especially encouraged to apply, since a major long-term goal of our program is to increase the diversity of persons engaged in oncology research and practice. Under-represented minority sophomores and juniors will be considered for appointment as CURE (Comprehensive Umbrella of Research Experiences) Scholars, in addition to their appointment as a POE student.

Learn more about St. Jude and our research programs:
Applicants should visit our web site to identify departments in which they would like to work. Our latest scientific report is available online under related topics. See the research button at the top for the faculty list and the list of academic departments. The Pediatric Oncology Education Program application should be filled out and submitted online.