Fred Hutch REACH: Research Equity Advancement for Cancer with HBCUs Internship Program is a 6-week, mentored, paid summer research program aimed at increasing awareness, interest and equity in careers advancing cancer research.
Partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Fred Hutch Cancer Center provides students with opportunities to complete research projects with mentorship from computational biology scientists. Students also engage in co-curricular experiences to enhance connections to the healthcare industry, the community and the greater Seattle area.
The program is designed for undergraduate students and recent post-baccalaureate students. Coding experience, while helpful, is not a prerequisite.
REACH is a collaboration between Fred Hutch and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs):
Fred Hutch
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Core
- Science Education Partnership
- Herbold Computational Biology Program
HBCUs
- Spelman College
- Morehouse School of Medicine Undergraduate Program
- Clark Atlanta University
Co-curricular Program Highlights
Connect Every Friday
Interns spend every Friday with the DEI Core to learn more about Fred Hutch, the Seattle area and local communities.
Engage with Local History and Culture
They also engage with local history and culture at places such as the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Northwest African American Museum, Jimi Hendrix Park, Wa Na Wari community center and the Burke Museum.
Enjoy Recreational Activities
Additionally, they can enjoy recreational activities such as kayaking on Union Bay or attending Mariners and Seattle Storm games.
Visit Iconic Seattle Sites
They visit iconic Seattle sites like the Space Needle, Chihuly Garden & Glass, Museum of Pop Culture, Pike Place Market and Bainbridge Island.
Participants
2024 Participants
Mentor: Jamie Yelland, Subramaniam Lab
Participants:
- Kaleaha Davis – Spelman College
- Kentavious Veal – Clark Atlanta University
Mentor: Hugh Haddox, Matsen Lab
Participants:
- Theodore (Theo) Robinson III – Clark Atlanta University
- Sanaai Wynn – Spelman College
Mentor: Phil Bradley, Bradley Lab
Participants:
- Javen Kent – Morehouse College
- Nosharai Harris – Spelman College
2023 Participants
Mentor: Katherine Chen, Subramaniam Lab
Participants:
- Grace Quarterman – Spelman College
- Christine Bynum – Spelman College
Mentor: Hugh Haddox, Matsen Lab
Participants:
- Cameron Cooper – Morehouse College
- Javen Kent – Morehouse College
Student Quotes
"I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity and had an amazing experience. I learned so much, and I am deeply thankful to Fred Hutch and the DEI Core. This program was designed with genuine care and intention, and it was led by staff members who are truly passionate about their work and who believe in me and the other interns. I cannot thank Fred Hutch enough for this experience."
"Throughout my internship at Fred Hutch, I had the privilege of learning from esteemed researchers, gaining invaluable insights into computational biology and actively contributing to impactful findings that will benefit the lab’s research. Moreover, I gained essential skills that have paved the way for my future career in the industry."
A Virus's Formidable Ability to Evade our Immune Responses
Pictured are Javen and Cameron with another intern presenting their results at the Matsen Lab meeting in 2023. Their project focused on how SARS-CoV-2 evolved to escape human immunity. Other groups had characterized hundreds of different antibodies isolated from people who had been vaccinated or infected with the virus.
Javen and Cameron analyzed the dozens of mutations that arose in SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and showed how these mutations allowed the virus to escape one group of antibodies, then another and another, until it had escaped them all. Overall, the findings helped give us a detailed understanding of the virus's formidable ability to evade our immune responses.
