Undergraduate Research Experience

Summer Volunteer Intern Research Program

The Moores Cancer Center summer research program is open to undergraduates from all colleges and universities. Students must apply, pass a background check, and interview with a faculty mentor to be matched into a research lab. The program runs for 8 weeks in the summer and interns volunteer for 20 hours per week getting hands-on research experience in a cancer research laboratory. At the end of the program, students present their research findings and experience at our Summer Intern Symposium.

Applications are accepted year-round on a rolling basis, however the application deadline for the Summer Intern Program is May 1. The program starts in mid-June (roughly one week after the UCSD quarter ends) and continues for 8 weeks until mid-August. Chosen applicants will be contacted for an interview with one of our MCC faculty members. Once matched with a research lab, interns will receive specific details about the program dates and requirements.

2026 Program Dates:

➢ Application deadline: May 1

➢ Interviews May 15 – 30

➢ Program Start Date: June 22

➢ Program End Date: August 14

For more information, please contact cmckeown@health.ucsd.edu or apply to the program here:

Apply Now

UCSD Undergraduate Research Program

UCSD Students can participate in laboratory research at Moores Cancer Center through a variety of mechanisms on campus. Students can volunteer in laboratories through our Student Internship Application, do research for credit by finding a faculty mentor and enrolling in MED-199 (How to Request Enrollment  in Special Studies Classes (Undergraduates)), or apply for a paid or work-study lab helper position posted on Sign In | Handshake or Jobs | UC San Diego.

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