Discover Cancer Research Careers At the UF Health Cancer Institute’s Career Explorations Program
This competitive program allows promising undergraduates to apply for a free visit to the NCI-Designated University of Florida Health Cancer Institute.
The program will provide cancer research highlights, information about Ph.D. pathways and a career panel. Attendees will be invited as special guests to the annual UF Health Cancer Institute Research Showcase.
Program Details
Research Showcase
This program will provide cancer research highlights by our UF faculty and trainees, information about Ph.D. options and the application process and a career panel discussion. Attendees will be invited as special guests to the annual UF Health Cancer Institute Research Showcase on Jan. 29, featuring more than 150 faculty and trainee research posters, predoctoral awardee presentations and a keynote speaker.
Eligibility and selection
This program will be of most benefit to undergraduates who are completing their baccalaureate degrees and want to apply to a Ph.D. research program. Up to 30 students will be selected to participate.
What’s included
Selected participants will receive:
· Round-trip flights/travel to Gainesville (up to $650 per person)
· Two-night stay at Hotel Eleo at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida
· Shuttle service around the UF campus
Key dates
· Application deadline: Dec. 1
· Applicants notified: mid-December
· Program dates: Jan. 28-30, 2026
Questions? Our education team can be reached at education@cancer.ufl.edu
A Powerful Student experience
EXPANDING STUDENT HORIZONS
An immersive visit
The Career Explorations program allows students to learn about leading-edge cancer research and become familiar with options for cancer-focused doctoral programs. Students in the 2025 program shared their experiences.
Why Graduate School at UF
Cancer Researchers on the Rise
Rachel Newsome
Rachel Newsome earned her Ph.D. in the cancer biology concentration at the University of Florida. Her research focuses on host-microbe interactions regarding inflammation, cancer and cancer therapeutics. Learn more about her experience as a trainee with the UF Health Cancer Institute.
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UF Health Cancer Institute Research Programs
Cancer Control and Population Sciences
· Cancer risk factors and prevention interventions
· Health disparities
· Aging and cancer survivorship
Cancer Targeting and Therapeutics
· Targeted therapeutic genomics
· Drug screening and discovery
· Predictive biomarkers and novel assays
Immuno-Oncology and Microbiome
· Immunobiology and immunotherapy
· Microbiome and immunity
· Early-phase clinical trials
Mechanisms of Oncogenesis
· Genetics and epigenetics
· Noncoding RNAs and cancer
· Gene therapy
Cancer Research Opportunities in UF Ph.D. Programs
Ph.D. Pathways in Cancer Research at UF
The University of Florida offers a broad range of Ph.D. programs across multiple colleges in which graduate faculty are conducting cancer research.
University of Florida Resources
UF graduate school virtual information session
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UF graduate degree programs
Funding
UF Office of Graduate Professional Development
UF Office of Graduate Student Support and Engagement
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