City of Hope has developed a virtual laboratory program that utilizes the Labster and LabXchange platforms to teach underrepresented minority students in the sciences about various laboratory techniques and experiments while providing insight into cancer research.

The main topics of focus are cancer prevention, detection, and treatment. The aim of this internship is to provide the students with an experience that will be as close to working in an actual laboratory as possible.

During the program, students worked independently to complete various assignments, including in-depth virtual laboratory/experiment simulations that mimicked real laboratory experiences. In addition, they held weekly professional development sessions for the students.

Topics included individual development plans, how to ask for a letter of recommendation, what makes a good letter of recommendation, and how to construct professional and lay versions of an elevator pitch. These sessions offered students a chance to ask questions about the next steps if they are interested in exploring careers in research or are looking into undergraduate or graduate programs in science.

At the completion of the program, the students below received a certificate and stipend for their participation.

Student Participants: Sarah Holguin (Grade 12), Avery Ward (Grade 11), Jessica Frias (Grade 11), Isabella Conde (Grade 11), Jewel Paz (Grade 11), Nathaniel Rodarte (Grade 11).

Great job to our hardworking students!