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As a newly designated Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute, VCU Massey Cancer Center is a national leader in supporting the development of emerging researchers from high school to early professional careers, with an emphasis on diversifying the cancer workforce and attracting individuals to long-term careers in oncology-related fields.

Massey hosts a wide variety of cancer-focused research training and education programs, many of which culminated this summer in a symposium in the lobby of Goodwin Research Laboratory on July 28. Nearly 30 high school, undergraduate and medical students presented research posters highlighting their scientific discoveries and achievements.

Devanand Sarkar, Ph.D., MBBS, the associate director for training and education at Massey, said that one of Massey’s biggest priorities is to train the next generation of cancer scientists. Sarkar walked around the symposium to engage with the students and learn more about the research they conducted through their different programs this summer.

“It’s buzzing with noise and excitement and enthusiasm. It’s magnificent to watch,” Sarkar said. “I think this is a marvelous opportunity, and we are looking forward to getting new students for the next summer.”

Purvika Gautam, a first-year medical student at the VCU School of Medicine and participant in the James D. Popp Student Research Fellowship at Massey, said she is grateful for the opportunity to be in this fellowship and hopes that she can incorporate the concepts of community engagement and cancer disparities into her medical career.

“As a medical student, it’s hard to figure out your place in research, and this fellowship has given me the opportunity to find a way to integrate it more in my career,” Gautam said. “I’m really looking forward to working more and more in projects that can be translated clinically and in the community.”

Sophia Jagels, a rising junior at Mills E. Godwin High School and participant in Massey’s Community High School Engagement & Learning (CHiSEL) Program, said the program offered her invaluable laboratory and research skills and opened her eyes to the cancer burden and accessibility issues that affect all Virginians.

“I love that CHiSEL was able to provide me with tactics and lab experience to really understand these issues and learn how you can possibly help create solutions for communities,” Jagels said.

Makenzie Joiner, a senior at William & Mary and participant in the Cancer-focused Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE) Program at Massey, is a kinesiology major focusing on public health and said she never considered a career in research prior to this summer.

“I’m very glad I took part in this program because I was very hesitant before coming in,” Joiner said. “I don’t have any experience in the lab, but…putting my foot in the water has definitely made me more comfortable in a research lab, and I realize it has a lot to do with what I want to do in my future.”

Mihir Pokhiryal, a senior at Mills E. Godwin High School and participant in the CHiSEL program, said the program was a great experience, and the opportunity has helped him to set his sights on a career in science or medicine.

“When you’re doing research to help people with these different types of cancers, you kind of understand how you want to pursue this type of field more than something else,” Pokhiryal said.

Makayla Reese, a rising junior at Virginia State University (VSU) and participant in the SUCCEED Cancer Research Education Program through Massey and VSU, said the program has helped her to gain in-depth knowledge about cancer growth and disparities, particularly in regard to prostate and breast cancer.

“I’m very glad that I did this program, and I hopefully will come back next year to do it again,” Reese said. “I recommend this program to anybody who is especially into science. Even if you’re not into science, try it out. Because even if you have a certain career field that you’ve already set, it’s okay to try different things and know what you like and dislike.”

Written by: Blake Belden