UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center recently hosted students from North Carolina Central University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to participate in a hands-on learning experience focused on careers in cancer research.
Students were enrolled in the 2024 Exploring Cancer Webinar Series, a semester-long online lecture series co-sponsored by UNC Lineberger as part of its collaboration with the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) program.
The course, created in 2020, provides undergraduate students at N.C. A&T and NCCU the opportunity to learn from cancer biologists, physicians, public health experts and other cancer specialists about a range of topics, including cancer care access, pathology and treatment modalities, and career resources within the cancer field.
Upon completion of the fall semester course, students are invited to a daylong event held at UNC Lineberger the following spring.
This year’s event included presentations from the course’s leadership, including UNC Lineberger member Antonio Baines, PhD, associate professor of biological and biomedical sciences at NCCU, and Checo J. Rorie, PhD, associate professor of genetics and chair of biology at N.C. AT&T.
The event also featured a panel of cancer-focused professionals across NCCU, UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. A&T — some of whom were cancer survivors. Panelists shared their stories and answered student questions in a Q&A session.
Following the panel discussion, students explored exhibit tables displaying the pathology of cancer and disease in human organs, organized by Stacie Keene, MD, assistant professor in the department of pathology and laboratory medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill and laboratory medical director at UNC Health Chatham.
Students also discussed strategies to raise cancer awareness and participation in self-screening during a public health-focused breakout session led by Seronda Robinson, PhD, professor of public health education at NCCU.
The day concluded with a keynote presentation from UNC Lineberger Executive Director Robert L. Ferris, MD, PhD, who emphasized the importance of cancer-focused career paths and the significance of being at the forefront of the next generation of cancer professionals.
Students can find more information about the Exploring Cancer Webinar Series and request to participate in next year’s course.
