Above: Charles Wood, PhD, SUCRE director, Sebastian Salm, Emory, Emily Jemison, Duke, NyEla Pete, Xavier University of Louisiana, Jake Hebert Jr., LSU, Rohit Srivastava, Baylor, Sohan Gummadi, Seton Hall, Saanvi Gambhira, Temple, Imille Woodard, Grambling, Laniyah Thurman, LSU, Handerson  Hasseth, Tulane

‍

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC) welcomed 10 Summer Undergraduate Cancer Research (SUCRE) Fellows as they began the first day of the program's intensive eight-week immersive research experience.

• Saanvi Gambhira,   Temple University
• Sohan Gummadi Seton Hall University
• Handerson Hasseth, Tulane University
• Jake Hebert, Louisiana State University
• Emily Jemison,   Duke University
• NyEla Pete, Xavier University of Louisiana
• Sebastian Salm, Emory University
• Rohit Srivastava,   Baylor University
• Laniyah Thurman, Lousiana State University
• Imille Woodard, Grambling State University

Each student was chosen based on their outstanding academic achievements and demonstrated interest in pursuing careers in biomedical research. Now in its fourth year, SUCRE has become an important pathway for aspiring scientists to explore careers in Louisiana.

The first day of the program introduced Fellows to the fundamentals of working in a cancer research laboratory. Students participated in orientation activities focused on laboratory safety and the basics of lab practice, before meeting with their individual faculty mentors.

Throughout the summer, the Fellows will work side-by-side with leading cancer researchers from LSU Health New Orleans, Tulane University, and Xavier University of Louisiana. Under the guidance of their mentors, students will gain firsthand experience conducting research projects designed to advance understanding of cancer biology, prevention and treatment.

"The LCRC Summer Undergraduate Cancer Research Experience provides Fellows with invaluable hands-on laboratory experience guided by an experienced researcher, and most of the students this year are from Louisiana," said Dr. Charles Wood, SUCRE director and  a member of the LCRC faculty and Cancer Crusader Professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Oncology, and associate director of basic science at LSU Health  New Orleans. "By working directly with experienced faculty mentors and participating in meaningful research projects, fellows gain insight into the scientific process and the opportunities available through careers in biomedical research."

Each Fellow will present their research  during a final poster session, showcasing the knowledge and skills they developed. The contributions of past SUCRE Fellows have been acknowledged in published research.

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center's summer research program continues to provide exceptional training opportunities for undergraduate students while fostering the next generation of Louisiana's cancer researchers.

‍