MORE MENTORS NEEDED to support record number of WHK SIP applicants!

The WHK SIP is celebrating its 25th year and has provided a unique scientific opportunity for over 900 high school students since its inception. From 6 students in 1989 to 66 students in 2014, the growth of this program is slowed only by the number of available mentors.

With over 169 applicants this year, mentors play a pivotal role in the growth and success of the WHK SIP. For the mentor this is a great opportunity to guide a student and stimulate their interest in science and research. Mentors are generally seasoned laboratory researchers or principal investigators (PIs) from NCI at Frederick laboratories. They sign up to encourage young people to pursue scientific careers and to train the next generation of researchers. In addition, because the PIs have a dedicated and highly motivated student for a year to help with their research activities, many mentors find this experience to be a mutually beneficial and satisfying one. The laboratory will also receive a small training budget of $3000 for each student they mentor.

The WHK SIP is designed for high school seniors, extending from the summer following their junior year until the end of their senior year. The students are paid for eight weeks of work during the summer and receive four weighted credits towards the completion of their academic curriculum during the school year.

To find out more about this program, visit https://ncifrederick.cancer.gov/careers/student_programs/internships/SIP/, or contact Marsha Nelson-Duncan at 301-846-6829, or marsha.nelson-duncan@nih.gov.