Cancer Society Seeks Summer Research Fellows

The American Cancer Society’s New England Division is now accepting applications to two summer fellowship programs that will place ten undergraduate college students and nine first-year medical students in leading New England research laboratories to assist with cancer research projects for a ten-week period in the summer of 2007.

Applications are due on February 9, and may be found on the society’s website at http://www.cancer.org/newenglandfellowships.

The Fellows will be mentored by established principal investigators in the field of basic cancer research at selected New England research institutions. Candidates will be chosen by a volunteer panel of physicians and biomedical scientists active in cancer research, who evaluate each student’s application, academic records, and faculty recommendations, and interest in science and research.

The Alvan T., Viola D. Fuller – American Cancer Society Junior Research Fellowships are offered to New England residents enrolled in an undergraduate program anywhere in the country. It provides a $4,000 stipend.

The Betty Lea Stone – American Cancer Society Research Fellowship provides first-year medical students with a similar, but slightly more advanced, opportunity to gain valuable experience in basic cancer research with a direct application to cancer prevention or treatment.

Recipients will receive a stipend of $4,500. Stone Fellowship applicants must be attending medical school in New England, but are not required to be New England residents.

David T. MacLaughlin, PhD, associate director of the Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories at Massachusetts General Hospital and the chairperson of the American Cancer Society’s fellowship program, said, “We hope this experience will recruit new, enthusiastic, and bright young minds to a career in cancer research. Through their efforts, advances in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment will be assured as the next generation of cancer researchers establishes their own laboratories.”

The Fuller Fellowship program was established in 1967, when the family of Alvan T. and Viola D. Fuller made a major gift to the American Cancer Society to advance cancer research. A pioneer in the automobile industry, Mr Fuller served two terms in the Massachusetts House of Representatives, and was later elected Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

The Stone Fellowship program was established in 1979 by the family of Betty Lea Stone in honor of their mother’s 80th birthday. Mrs Stone was a longtime volunteer leader of the American Cancer Society’s former Massachusetts Division, and generously supported the society’s research program.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913, the society has 13 regional divisions, and local offices in 3,400 communities nationwide, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.