# CaNCURE:  Cancer Nanomedicine Co-ops for Undergraduate Research Experiences

> **NIH NIH R25** · NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $309,009

## Abstract

CaNCURE: Cancer Nanomedicine Co-ops for Undergraduate Research Experiences was created by
Northeastern University (NEU) and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) to provide immersive
research training and education at the interface of nanotechnology, cancer biology, and medicine to attract,
retain, and encourage young scientists and engineers to pursue careers in cancer research. The central
hypothesis of CaNCURE is that a 6-month, full-time, mentored research experience, accompanied by a rich
educational environment providing intellectual immersion in cancer nanomedicine, will lead to persistence in
college and motivation for a career in cancer research. With the support of two consecutive NCI R25 awards
(2014-24), the CaNCURE program has provided 6-month mentored research experiences for 133 students
from 14 different STEM disciplines, 42.8% of whom came from underrepresented minorities or disadvantaged
backgrounds. Trainees conducted high-impact research in 43 NCI-funded laboratories, published 67 peer-
reviewed manuscripts in high-impact cancer and nanomedicine journals, and won 68 research awards. 67% of
trainees continued to volunteer in their CaNCURE lab after co-op completion and 36% went on to complete
one or more additional cancer research experiences before graduation. Of the 109 students who graduated,
38% went to medical school, 16% went to graduate school, and 40% pursued research careers in the healthcare
field. 23 more undergraduates will complete this program by June 2024. Here we seek to renew and expand
the CaNCURE program to train 90 new undergraduates during 2024-2029. Traineeships will be provided to 18
students per year spread across 2 co-op cycles (January-June and July-December). To further strengthen the
existing program, we propose the addition of 11 new faculty mentors aligned with the NCI’s 2024 strategic
goals, formal mentor training, hands-on research training workshops, small-group patient case study
discussions, and a CaNCURE advising system to support trainee research efforts after the co-op. The program
will achieve its goals through the following specific aims:
 Specific Aim 1: Provide a hands-on, full-time research experience with a focus in cancer nanomedicine
mentored by world-class cancer researchers at NEU and DF/HCC.
 Specific Aim 2: Provide year-round activities for training enrichment, including weekly seminars, patient case
studies, hands-on research training, a reflective e-portfolio, and conference travel.
 Specific Aim 3: Provide professional preparation for a career in cancer research, including professional skills
training, opportunities to network and present research, and resources to enhance career preparation both
during and after co-op.
 Specific Aim 4: Increase the diversity of the cancer research workforce by targeted recruitment and retention
of students from underrepresented and disadvantaged minorities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10848884
- **Project number:** 2R25CA174650-11
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** SRINIVAS SRIDHAR
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $309,009
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2014-07-18 → 2029-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848884

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848884, CaNCURE:  Cancer Nanomedicine Co-ops for Undergraduate Research Experiences (2R25CA174650-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848884. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*