This spring, students from South Bend area high schools who took part in the Harper Cancer Research Institute's Research Cures Cancer Corps (RC3) program shared their research at both regional and state science fairs—and came home with a long list of awards.
Seven out of the ten participants in RC3's inaugural student cohort presented at the 2023 Northern Indiana Regional Science and Engineering Fair. Three of the students then advanced to the 35th Annual Hoosier Science and Engineering Fair, held on Saturday March 25, 2023 at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).
Lucinda Flanagan, a senior at St. Joseph High School in South Bend, Indiana, received the Leslie A. Willig Founders Scholarship, the Data Visualization Award, and the Regeneron Biomedical Science Award. As the second place winner overall for 12th grade participants, Flanagan will advance to the Regeneron International Science & Engineering Fair held in Dallas, Texas, in May, 2023.
Elijah Gorski, a junior at Washington High School in South Bend, Indiana, who also works part time conducting research for Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Katharine White received the Best Abstract Award. Gorski also received the Society for In Vitro Biology Award, the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps Office of Naval Research Award, and the IUPUI School of Science 3rd Place Scholarship, which includes a $1,000 award renewable for four years.
Sharon Stack, the Ann F. Dunne and Elizabeth Riley Director of the Harper Institute, said, “We are delighted to see the RC3 students’ work recognized in this way. It speaks to their potential to advance scientific knowledge—and it is also a testament to the value of programs like RC3 that aim to equip and inspire budding scientists and build a broader pipeline to careers in cancer research."
About the Research Cures Cancer Corps
The Research Cures Cancer Corps at the Harper Cancer Research Institute aims to inspire high school students to consider undergraduate degrees and careers in biomedical and cancer-related research. In this program, current high school first year students, sophomores, and juniors in good standing can receive hands-on lab experience, individualized mentoring, strengthen problem-solving and leadership skills, build confidence, and gain marketable work experience. To learn more, please visit https://harpercancer.nd.edu/opportunities/research-cures-cancer-corp-rc3-for-high-school-students/
About the Harper Cancer Research Institute
Investigators in the Harper Cancer Research Institute (HCRI) are dedicated to conducting innovative and integrative research that confronts the complex challenges of cancer. Our programmatic structure fosters multidisciplinary cancer research by promoting interactions among research groups with distinct expertise and by training early career scientists to work across scientific fields. Clinical partnerships provide key translational insight and strengthen the mission of discovery.
Originally published by at harpercancer.nd.edu on April 03, 2023.