EDUCATION 16
STUDENT LEARNING
MENTORING STUDENTS
The UH Cancer Center is home to some of the nation ’ s leading cancer researchers , who serve as mentors to students at various stages of their education and professional careers . The Cancer Center has undertaken various educational initiatives to provide students with an understanding of cancer research and opportunities for hands-on research experience .
SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
The Cancer Center ’ s summer internship program for high school and undergraduate students began in the 1980s with the support of private funds . In 2004-2018 , the National Cancer Institute ( NCI ) -funded the Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences ( CURE ) Program , which funded the summer internship program , followed by two additional years of support from the Friends of the UH Cancer Center and private funds in 2018 and 2019 .
In 2020 an innovative research education and training initiative , supported by funds from the UH Mānoa Provost Strategic Investment Competition , resulted in eight undergraduate internships that began in the summer and continued though the fall and spring semesters . The goal of this initiative was to reinforce the students ’ intent to graduate with a science degree and consider a career to address the burden of cancer in Hawai ‘ i and the Pacific .
Building on the successes of our previous internship program , the inaugural Cancer Research Education , Advancement , Training and Empowerment ( CREATE ) Program , is funded by a $ 1.36M five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health . It began in summer 2021 for undergraduate
UHCC HISTORIC TIMELINE
2019
NCI approved addition of Family Health Plan ( FHP ) Health Center in Guam to its NCI Community Oncology Research Program ( NCORP ), allowing patients on Guam to participate in NCI-sponsored cancer clinical trials .
2019
2019
Hawaii Medical Service Association ( HMSA ), the state ’ s largest private health insurance company joined Hawai ‘ i Cancer Consortium .
With sponsorship of late Sen . Breene Harimoto , state legislature allocated $ 6.5 million for construction of Early Phase Clinical Research Center ( EPCRC ) & Organoid Generation Facility in UH Cancer Center ’ s annex shell space .
2019
NIH awarded matching $ 6.5 million as building grant for the EPCRC & organoid facility .