# Cancer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (CREU)

> **NIH NIH R25** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2021 · $323,959

## Abstract

Summary
The University of Colorado Anschutz (CU Anschutz) has a strong history of training undergraduate, pre-
and post-doc scientists in the biomedical sciences, and specifically in cancer research. The overarching
goal of the Cancer Research Experience for Undergraduates (CREU) program is to provide a mechanism
through which undergraduate students can explore cancer research as a future career. In this research-
intensive experience, students will spend 10 weeks in a laboratory working with a mentor from the
University of Colorado Cancer Center. Students will choose from 52 qualified mentors with expertise in
basic and clinical/ translational cancer research. CREU is primarily a research-intensive experience,
however students will also attend weekly seminars that explore fundamental questions in cancer biology
and professional development, including career mentoring. In addition, students will select from a variety
of clinical/translational workshops (CTWs) based on their interests. CTW's will typically be ½ day
experiences with faculty and biotechnology companies on the CU Anschutz campus and will be
structured so as to capitalize on unique strengths and cancer training opportunities on our campus in
personalized medicine and bioinformatics, cancer pathobiology and molecular diagnostics, and
experimental therapeutics and biotechnology. A total of 26 students will be selected to participate in
CREU from a pool of national applicants. To assure representation of diverse trainees, we have
established “links” to two minority serving institutions, Chaminade University of Honolulu and the
University of New Mexico. Applicants from these institutions will be given preferential consideration for
participation in CREU, provided they meet our admissions standards. We will also actively recruit under-
represented students at regional and national minority recruitment events. The CREU program is
designed to provide potentially transformative experiences for college students who are interested in
careers in biomedical research, but who have had limited immersive experiences in cancer research.
Our goal is to increase the number of students, particularly from underrepresented minorities, who
choose to pursue cancer research for a career. We will determine how well we meet our goals using
short and long-term evaluation tools.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9980322
- **Project number:** 5R25CA240122-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** MARY ELAINE REYLAND
- **Activity code:** R25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $323,959
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9980322

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9980322, Cancer Research Experiences for Undergraduates (CREU) (5R25CA240122-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9980322. Licensed CC0.

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