National STEM Day raises awareness of ACS work to engage underrepresented populations.
National STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Day is observed this year on Friday, Nov. 8. The day promotes and celebrates STEM disciplines and encourages youth interest and engagement in STEM subjects. Historically, certain racial and ethnic groups, persons from disadvantaged backgrounds, and those living with disabilities are not as well-represented in the STEM fields. Diversity in science invigorates problem-solving, drives innovation, and accelerates our fight for a cure.
In addition to being underrepresented in STEM fields, many of these groups are those that bear a disproportionate burden of cancer: Black people, Hispanic and Latino people, Indigenous people: Native Americans and Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. While biomedical scientist numbers in the U.S. have grown 150% since the 1990s, the percentage of Hispanic and Black scientists have seen minimal growth.
To address these gaps and encourage diverse representation in STEM fields, ACS launched the Center for Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Training in 2023. The goal of the Center is to attract, support, and develop students from groups underrepresented in science, ensuring they are competitive for successful careers in clinical, scientific, and related health professions.
Today we celebrate the three initial programs that support diversity in STEM.
DICR Summer Healthcare Experience (SHE) in Oncology is a two-week virtual program that introduces high school students who identify as female to cancer research and careers in cancer research and oncology care. Participants learn about the scientific method, conduct a small research study and learn about careers across the cancer continuum of research, care, and community engagement. Small-group clinical case studies focused on cancer disparities highlight challenges across diverse communities. Mentorship and collaboration enable students to develop a broad, diverse professional network. ACS funds and supports the program while sites manage the program, curriculum, recruitment, and evaluation. Since inception, the SHE in Oncology program has engaged 655 students. In the summer of 2025, the SHE program will expand to five new institutions, bringing the total to 15 institutions aiming to engage up to 300 students per year.
DICR Internships
Biomedical research internship for undergraduate students focused on hands-on experience and mentorship. DICR Internships begins with a 10-week program that places participating interns in cancer research labs, clinical, or community settings, at institutional partners across the US. Interns engage in hands-on experience, receiving mentorship from leadings scientists in the field, while experiencing the day-to-day world of cancer research. Interns will participate in career development and networking activities through the year. For 2025, a total of 33 institutions will aim to recruit and train up to 240 interns. Interns consist of underrepresented minorities who are rising full-time sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in STEM and have good academic standing of at least a 3.0 overall GPA.
Through the DICR Internship Program, ACS aims to provide access to unique and impactful opportunities that empower underrepresented students to pursue careers in STEM.
DICR Post-Baccalaureate Fellows Program
Training and mentorship for pre-doctoral students aimed at improving readiness for graduate or professional school and training in cancer research. The Post-Baccalaureate Fellows Program consists of a two-year, paid certificate program focused on the challenges budding researchers face following undergraduate education and pursuit of graduate school training. This program will support pre-doctoral students as they prepare to pursue either a doctoral degree, e.g. PhD, MD, MD/PhD or other doctoral degrees across the varied fields of science and health professions. Students will receive mentorship, advanced science course work based on individual background and aspirations, and advisory services to support test prep and careers. In 2025, 27 institutions will engage 108 post-baccalaureate fellows, including 36 new fellows. This program will target students from groups underrepresented) in science including first generation college students, students from rural areas or those from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, currently not in a degree program.
