In 2015, UMB launched an innovative program called the CURE Scholars Program. CURE, an acronym for the Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences, is supported by NCI’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities.

The UMB CURE program, led by Dr. Robin Saunders and Curriculum Coordinator Lauren Kareem, recruits interested middle school students in partnership with local Baltimore schools. Through hands-on experiences and intensive mentorship, CURE scholars are enabled to develop their interest in science and biomedical careers. “CURE is thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with IGS,” Dr. Saunders commented, “It’s imperative that we offer students meaningful STEM opportunities that will enrich and further their understanding of the field.”

Dr. Michelle Giglio teaches the IGS Summer Science Week as part of the UMB CURE summer program for rising 7th graders. Dr. Giglio, Associate Professor, Dept. of Medicine, is the coordinator for Academic and Outreach activities at IGS. The week at IGS includes many activities aimed at providing the scholars with an understanding of some biology basics. The activities include building models of DNA, building models of cells, acting out the jobs of organelles, understanding ecosystems, learning about taxonomic classification, and learning about translation and sequence variation. CURE scholars also engage in a week-long project to research a species of interest and produce a scientific poster which is shared with the CURE community in a poster session at the end of the week.