Program Components

Cohort 4 receives a warm welcome from Cedars-Sinai Cancer interim director Robert Figlin, MD  at the 2025 Summer Institute.

A week-long introduction to cancer disparities research, diverse researcher role models, and a network of supportive and motivated peers and mentors.

Cohort 2 scholar Horacio Palma presents his summer research at the 2023 Poster Session

A paid summer internship with a Cedars-Sinai researcher is the cornerstone of a U-GROW scholar's year. Working closely with a researcher will expose scholars to cancer disparities research and introduce them to research methods & ethics. For more about the summer internships we offer, see the "Research" tab. 

Program Director Darrah Kuratani, Ph.D., Jordy Ocampo (Cohort 3), and Amiyah Jones (Cohort 3) discuss the social determinants of health. 

Throughout the internship period, U-GROW scholars meet for 1.5 hrs biweekly live and remotely to learn about each other's research and participate in instruction on designing, writing, and presenting scientific posters. 

Cohort 2 scholar Benito Cermeno presents a poster based on his work with Stephen Shiao, MD, PhD's research group

U-GROW scholars present posters based on their work at the end of the summer, fielding questions from Cedars-Sinai Cancer faculty as well as their families and supporters.

Cohort 2 scholars Liana Gutierrez (left), Diana Martinez (middle), and  Iluoghene Akene (right) complete a visioning activity at the 2023 Summer Institute

Scholars meet monthly over Zoom from September to April. They participate in workshops that help them write a dossier of graduate school application documents while practicing the speaking, presenting, and reading skills they will need in graduate school.

Alumni from Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 introduce themselves to Cohort 4 at a 2025 U-GROW Summer Institute networking event. 

After their year in the program is complete, U-GROW alumni are invited to network with and serve as near-peer mentors to the current cohort at live program events. In 2025, we held our first Annual Alumni Retreat. Alumni from Cohorts 1-3 returned to Cedars for mentorship and educational programming.

Cohort 3 participates in a career planning activity during the 2024 Summer Institute. 

We know the financial burden of applying to graduate school may prevent some students from taking a chance on a possibly life-changing next step. Eligible U-GROW alumni can apply for the GAASA - a small grant to defray some admission, application, and exam preparation costs.