NCI Welcomes Seventh Cohort of iCURE Scholars
NCI, CCHE, and iCURE program leaders join the new iCURE scholars outside of the iCURE Welcome Ceremony, October 4, 2024, Bethesda, MD.
On October 4, the Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE) program hosted its annual welcome ceremony to announce the program’s seventh cohort. The cohort comprises ten iCURE scholars—four postbaccalaureate fellows, one graduate student, and five postdoctoral fellows—who are conducting research at the NIH campus in Bethesda (six scholars), the NCI Frederick campus (one scholar), and NCI Shady Grove in Rockville (three scholars).
iCURE program lead Jessica Calzola, Ph.D., opened the ceremony and spoke directly to the new and continuing scholars who sat in the crowd.
“Look around at the number of people who are here to support you,” said Dr. Calzola, who is Branch Director of the Innovative Programs Branch at the Center for Cancer Health Equity (CCHE). “This is showing and reiterating NCI’s commitment and our commitment to you and welcoming you to NCI.”
NCI Director W. Kimryn Rathmell, M.D., Ph.D., speaks at the iCURE Welcome Ceremony.
Among those in attendance to support the iCURE scholars was NCI Director W. Kimryn Rathmell, M.D., Ph.D., who delivered welcoming remarks and imparted words of advice.
“I hope you enjoy being at NCI and taking advantage of all the incredible opportunities and make discoveries that advance what we do in the cancer arena,” Dr. Rathmell said.
Chosen through a competitive application process, iCURE scholars conduct research with principal investigators within NCI’s Center for Cancer Research (CCR), Center for Global Health, Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG), and/or Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS).
Following welcoming remarks, Cohort 7 scholars and their principal investigators introduced themselves and spoke about why they chose to be a part of the iCURE program. Below are just a few of their comments.
What I’m most excited [for] about working at NCI is the collaborative mixture of all the scientists and people who are working here to achieve a common goal of ending cancer.
I applied to iCURE because I thought it was a great opportunity, not just for me, but for everyone else who is Indigenous to be a part of a program that offers cancer research opportunities, and I thought it would not only open doors for me but for everyone else behind me.
We need someone who has a presence like Lauren, who will ask those difficult questions that haven’t been asked yet. Who also has the skill set and determination to add something new to the pediatric oncology space.”
“She also represents another step of diversity, as she is a biomedical engineer working in the pediatric oncology space, where there typically aren’t any engineers.
When I saw Dr. Crittendon’s application, I said, ‘This is someone who didn’t have a traditional career path—neither did I—and has important interests and real-life experiences that can add insight into the work that we do.’
Before the ceremony ended and attendees had the opportunity to connect and network, the group heard closing remarks from Sanya A. Springfield, Ph.D., longstanding CCHE Director and now NCI Acting Deputy Director, Cancer Health Equity and Inclusion.
“We see how you have contributed to changing the world. You are the next generation,” Dr. Springfield said.
Congratulations and welcome to NCI, new iCURE scholars!
Following the 2024 iCURE Welcome Ceremony, current iCURE scholars from Cohorts 5–7 and one Cohort 1 scholar engaged in activities to learn about one another, NCI, and the NIH Bethesda campus.