Section outline

  • Design Your Own Cancer Research Project

     

    Your challenge

    Working in small groups, identify an unanswered biological question in cancer research and develop a research proposal to address it. The activity will include an initial submission, feedback, and a final oral presentation.

    1. First submission: October 30, 2026 – You may submit either your 3-page written proposal or a draft of your slide deck.
    2. Feedback provided by: November 15, 2026 – You will receive feedback to help refine your research proposal.
    3. Second submission: November 30, 2026 – You must submit your final 3-page written proposal.
    4. Final oral presentation: December 9, 2026, 3:30–5:30 PM – Each group will give a 15-minute presentation followed by 5 minutes of Q&A. You must also submit your final slide deck.

     

    Written Research Proposal (Max. 3 pages)

    • Abstract: What are you proposing and why?
    • Background & Significance: What do we know? What don't we know? Why does it matter?
    • Central Question & Hypothesis
    • 2 to 3 Specific Aims
    • Experimental Approach:
       - Experimental design
       - Models and key methods
       - Appropriate controls
      - Expected results & interpretation
    • Potential Problems & Alternative Approaches
    • Impact & Future Directions 

    References (not included in 3-page limit)