City of Hope’s Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy gives curious and hardworking students the opportunity to learn about science by actually doing it. Unlike traditional high school or college classes where the course of study is entirely determined by the instructor, City of Hope’s summer program students select their own research project according to their individual areas of interest. Selected participants then spend 10 weeks working full-time as a member of a biomedical research team.

Our world-renowned physicians and scientists serve as mentors who guide students in their research, while helping them develop their critical thinking skills. Weekly seminars allow students to present research findings to their peers, a good primer for what graduate and postdoctoral students do. There are workshops covering topics such as creating posters for research talks, biomedical ethics and other important subjects. Students interact with their peers and their research mentors on a continual basis, fostering valuable relationships for the future. Summer program participants also receive a stipend of $4,000 for their work.

Students who join our exciting summer program are often surprised at what they discover through the experience.  Many of our students have their names included on published research papers, and some have even patented and sold inventions developed with their mentors.

The program was established in 1975 by City of Hope’s director emeritus of neurobiology, Eugene Roberts, Ph.D.  Our chief medical officer, Alexandra Levine, M.D., is a Summer Student Program alumna, as are many prominent scientists in academia and industry.