Testimonials

“Research in Focus challenged me to think beyond memorizing biology and instead approach science through curiosity, collaboration, and problem-solving. While researching KRAS resistance in pancreatic cancer and presenting our findings to UCLA faculty, I began connecting the science to the ways cancer has affected my own family, which made the work deeply personal and meaningful. Through teamwork and navigating complex research together, I gained confidence as both a researcher and communicator. The program pushed me outside my comfort zone, opened doors to new opportunities in research and leadership, and ultimately solidified my interest in pursuing cancer biology and medicine in the future.”

• Hannah Moses, UCLA Class of 2030

"After several women in my family of Asian descent were diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer despite never smoking, I explored numerous research journal databases through Research in Focus, searching for keywords such as 'secondhand lung cancer,' 'non-smoking Asian American women,' 'EGFR mutations,' and 'environmental tobacco smoke exposure.' This research helped me draw conclusions related to my own family’s health history, enabled our group to present our findings to the UCLA Liquid Biopsy Lab faculty, and ultimately solidified my goal of supporting preventative healthcare as a future physician-scientist." 

• Chloe Na, Johns Hopkins Class of 2029

“Presenting our team’s findings on Acute Lymphoid Cancer to a panel of university researchers gave me my first real taste of professional presentations and preparation. From spending time researching and discussing ideas, this program made research feel exciting and social, not isolating or intimidating.” 

• Caleb Baek, University of Chicago Class of 2029

"The Research in Focus summer program helped me step outside my comfort zone and become a better  public speaker. It taught me how to become a better researcher and opened many doors for career exploration by sparking an interest in cancer research." 

• Nyiema Collier, UCLA Class of 2029 

"Research in Focus has allowed me to build confidence in researching medical literature and public speaking. My experience in the program has given me opportunities to work with other individuals who share the same passions of advancing and educating themselves upon the medical industry. The program not only pushed me to think analytically, but also creatively as we journeyed through gaps within cancer research. This community has opened several doors for my future and only escalated my desires to pursue research in college." 

• Krystel Luna, UC Irvine Class of 2028

"Participating in the program allowed me to synthesize research, explore its real-world implications, and develop valuable professional skills through presenting our findings. It fostered my curiosity for research and motivated me to continue pursuing it in college." 

• Lindsey Coralie Nguegang, Duke Class of 2028

“The opportunity to mentor participants and see them grow in the confidence to tackle lab problems first-hand was incredibly rewarding. The supportive community and transformative experiences made a lasting impact on both mentors and mentees.” 

• Colton Kim, MIT Class of 2028