Postbaccalaureate Fellows Program in Cancer Research

Program overview

Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio has partnered with the American Cancer Society Center for Diversity in Cancer Research Training Program (ACS-DICR) to offer a Postbaccalaureate Fellows Program for underrepresented minority (URM) individuals who are passionate about cancer research and have recently completed an undergraduate degree in a STEM field or health profession but are not fully prepared to enter a doctoral graduate program.

Quick facts

• Two-year, full-time program (07/01/2025-06/30/2027)
• $35,000 per year stipend
• Travel funds for national meetings
• Paid tuition and fees (library fee, student services fee, medical services fee, fitness center fee and health insurance)
• GRE test preparation reimbursement
• Small cohort size
• Housing is not provided

Program details 

• Hands-on laboratory training and research experience
• Cancer-focused graduate-level coursework
• Mentoring and education opportunities with other underrepresented minority trainees
• Exposure to state-of-the-art cancer research with funded cancer center members
• Development of communication skills through research presentations inside and outside the institution
• Development of interview skills to support admission into doctoral programs

Eligibility requirements

• Meet the National Institutes of Health's defined underrepresented minority status
• Bachelor’s degree in any STEM discipline or health profession
• Agree to participate in the program full-time for two years
• Minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of major coursework
• Express a commitment to a cancer research/cancer care-focused career

Application requirements

• A copy of your undergraduate diploma must be submitted before enrolling in the program.
• Statement of purpose
• Resume
• Transcript from an accredited college/university
• Three letters of recommendation (faculty member preferred)
• Acceptance notifications will be made by May 15, 2025

Curriculum

Program Administration

Directors

Robin Leach, PhD
Professor, Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy
Associate Director for Education, Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio

Teresa Johnson-Pais, PhD
Professor, Division of Research, UT Health San Antonio

Coordinator

Evie Garcia-Rodriguez, BS
Senior Research Coordinator

Questions and more information 

Email: Eva Garcia-Rodriguez at MCCEducation@uthscsa.edu.