Our Goal
Our goal is to enrich the education of 6-12 grade students from diverse backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical fields. By providing year-round science education, a diverse array of cancer focused activities to bolster skills, and community experiences, we can improve student potential to thrive in advanced degree science programs and engage in cancer health related careers.
ARISE Details
Hands-on cancer lab experience
20 hrs./week
Interns will be placed in a mentor lab and participate in cutting edge cancer research. This includes:
• Laboratory Skills training
• Getting to know the bench
• Weekly lab meetings
• One-on-one check-ins with the Principal Investigator
• Supporting other research in the lab
• Working on a project of their own
The application window for the 2025 Summer Cancer Research Internship program will open on
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Program dates:
June 16 – August 8 2024
Remember…you must have completed your sophomore year and be 16 at the start of the program.
This is not a residential program. You will need to secure your own housing if selected for the program.
Enrichment activities
3-5 hrs./week
Outside of the 20 hours in the labs, interns will participate in several career development/enrichment activities. Examples include:
• Career exploration – School of Nursing and School of Pharmacy
• Pathology experience
• Medical ethics discussion
• Career panels
• Soft skills for professionals
• Workshops on how-to give a science presentation
• Cohort social events
ARISE Summer Research Internship Information
What is the ARISE High School Cancer Research Program?
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Program Details
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Q & A
Documents
You will need to have the following ready to upload to the application when you submit the document.
1. Your personal statement.
2. Copy or screenshot of: a progress report, midterm grades, OR report card. These do not need to be official. We need this for proof of enrollment. They must include the schools name.
3. Letter of Recommendation
Please provide a letter from a teacher, boss, coach, school staff, etc. who knows you the best. The letter should state their support for you as a participant in the ARISE program (no family members). This can be uploaded with your application or your reference can send it to Mary Headington headington@wisc.edu
If you have any questions about the program and/or application process, please reach out to:
Sofia Refetoff Mary Headington
refetoff@wisc.edu headington@wisc.edu
(608)770‐4150 (608)265-2784
Cancer Education Opportunities
Classroom Visits
Let us come to you:
- Student talks
- Share program information
- Cancer survivors
- Small lab activities
- Support and enrichment
So many ways to learn
and be involved!!
Community Outreach
Get your students involved in the cancer causes with volunteering.
- Roll-N-Stroll
- Be the Cure
- Bowlin’ for Colons
- Badger Challenge
Alumni Corner
Zaki
Studied T-Cell migration
analysis in Dr. David
Kosoff’s Lab during his
ARISE Internship
in 2022. Siraj continues to
work in the Kosoff Lab
part-time.
Lily
Junior
2022 Alumni
Learn more about Lily’s Experience
Caroline & Aurora
Seniors
2023 Intern
2024 Intern
Joshua Lang, MD, MS
Shannon Reese – Direct Supervisor
Caroline (2023) continued her work in the
Lang Lab after her internship and was an
ARISE mentors for Aurora (2024).
Parent Testimonials
“The presentations yesterday were truly impressive for their delivery, attention to time constraints, and especially for the level of understanding that the students achieved in such a short time. Those presentations just reinforced the sense that the internships are a truly unique experience. ” ~Erik
“Skyler is enjoying every aspect of the internship and we know this whole experience will only point him in the right direction. He speaks highly of everyone, and enjoys sharing what he’s learning with us. He is excited & enthusiastic about the internship & everyone involved. It’s been great. ” ~ Loreen
“Ashley loves the program and we are continually blown away by what a great opportunity it is! She is learning so much and it’s opening her mind to studies and careers she didn’t know existed.” ~ Julie
Intern Excitement
“Applying for the UWCCC internship is likely the best decision I’ve made. Not only did the internship introduce me to an R1 science lab, but it also provided me with excellent guidance, helpful connections, and a fun summer experience. Working alongside brilliant grad students, I helped conduct experiments to further understand the relationship between GATA2 protein deficiency and its effects on cell signaling.”
– Bjorn, 2022 Summer Intern
“For me it was about being in an environment that was a real-world experience. It really gives you insights as to whether or not this is something you want to do.”
–Ananya 2022 Summer Intern
“The ARISE program is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity. It allows teenagers to find their passions, discover their callings, and learn an insane amount in just 7 weeks. I would recommend this program to everyone I know, and if I could, I’d go back and do it a million more times.”
Ellie – 2023 Summer Intern
“The program proceeded as I thought it would both in the lab and in the enrichment activities but the program overall still exceeded my expectations in how smooth the program went and how much I actually learned. I knew I would be working in a lab and going to enrichment activities, but I did not think I would learn as much as I did about the gut microbiome, colorectal cancer, and lab procedures from working in the lab and more about college and career plans from the enrichment activities”
–Xavier 2024 Summer Intern
Contacts
Sofia Retetoff Mary Headington
refetoff@wisc.edu headington@wisc.edu
(608)770‐4150 (608)265-2784