CUPID Summer Translational Oncology Program

The mission of CUPID (Curriculum for Understanding Population-based Inequities & Disparities) to address the impending shortage of practicing oncologists within the US, and to cultivate an interest in cancer research among medical students who have not yet fully defined their career plans. The program receives more than 150 applications per year from medical schools that have no NCI-designated Cancer Center and regularly attracts students from HBCUs and University of Puerto Rico. The CUPID program, which has been extended to Indiana and Ohio State Universities, includes lab research experiences, didactic, and career development components. Over an 8-year period approximately one-third have entered oncology fields: radiation, surgical or medical specialties (Holmes et al. Int J Rad Oncol Biol Phys 2019). 

‘Genes to Society’ Curriculum for Medical Students

The Johns Hopkins ‘Genes to Society’ curriculum is organized and taught by SKCCC Members; it covers a neoplasia thread that traces basic cancer biology to societal implications including disparities in cancer and palliative care. In addition, ~30 JH medical students (25% of each class) engage in research rotations with SKCCC Members, and 25% of the basic science projects are performed in SKCCC Member laboratories.