One of the goals of PACR is to extend the reach of Fred Hutch’s recruitment, education and training initiatives to deepen the pool of future scientists. New Mexico State University is a majority-minority institution, with more than 14,000 students enrolled in programs at the main campus. Nearly 3,000 students are in graduate and professional degree programs.
We offer internship opportunities for NMSU students to conduct independent research projects at Fred Hutch. We also provide training opportunities for Fred Hutch post-docs at NMSU, and professional development and scientific workshops in both New Mexico and Washington.
Internships for NMSU Students
Cancer Research Internship for Undergraduate Students (CRI-U)
This intensive, nine-week program is designed to provide research experience and mentorship for undergrad students interested in biomedical research. Under the guidance of a faculty mentor, interns will complete an independent research project and present their findings at a competitive poster session.
The program runs from Monday, June 22 through Friday, August 21, 2026. Students must be able to commit to this entire period in order to participate.
The application for the 2026 CRI-U is now live! Apply here.
Applications are due by midnight (PST) Friday, January 9, 2026 and letters of recommendation are due by midnight (PST) Friday, January 16, 2026.
Please feel free to reach out to program staff at surp@fredhutch.org with any questions.
If you are looking for an alternate summer programs, please check out our Catalog of Biomedical Research Internships.
Areas of Research
Interns are paired with a faculty mentor after selecting one of the following areas of interest:
- Basic Science
Structural, genetic, molecular, cellular, developmental and evolutionary biology.
- Human Biology
Interdisciplinary research; lab-based and computational research in basic, clinical and population sciences.
- Public Health Sciences
Large populations serve as a "laboratory" to look for links between cancer and its possible triggers, from diet and lifestyle, to environmental and genetic factors. Conducts statistical, epidemiological and prevention studies around the world.
- Clinical Research
Development and analysis of new treatments for cancers and other diseases.
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease
Computational, laboratory and clinical research methods advance the understanding of microbial pathogenesis and infectious disease processes.
Learn more about the specific research interests of Fred Hutch faculty.
Program Components
In addition to completing a mentored research project, interns participate in professional development workshops designed to facilitate preparation of competitive applications to graduate/medical school.
Workshops include:
- Preparing a personal statement, resume and abstract
- How to successfully apply to graduate or medical school
- Preparing and presenting a scientific poster
Interns will also attend weekly research seminars regarding a broad array of scientific topics. The program culminates with a competitive poster session.
The program also sponsors a number of activities designed to foster interaction among interns and their mentors. Past activities include:
- Attending a Mariners game or Sounders match
- Riding the Seattle Great Wheel
- Taking a ferry to scenic Bainbridge Island
- Hiking the trails on Mount Rainier
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Enrolled at NMSU at the time of application submission
- Entering the summer BEFORE the final year (or semester) of undergraduate studies
- Strong background in the sciences or a related area of interest
Compensation, Travel, Housing and Local Transportation
Interns will receive $7,304 (minus taxes) for participating in the program.
The PACR provides roundtrip travel (up to $450) to and from Seattle. Travel arrangements will be coordinated by program staff unless otherwise requested. If the cost of airfare is less than $450, interns may also request reimbursement for the cost of luggage fees and/or ground transportation to and from the airport. Interns who drive to Seattle are eligible for mileage reimbursement, up to $450.
Interns are responsible for their housing, meals, and local transportation costs. Housing is available at either the University of Washington or Seattle University for approximately $3,300* for the duration of the program. Housing applications will be available to students who are selected to participate in the program in early March. Interns are also welcome to make their own housing arrangements.
* Estimate based on 2025 housing price
How to Apply
The Cancer Research Internship for NMSU Undergraduate Students is fully integrated with Fred Hutch’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP).
An online application for the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Program is available here!
We encourage students to submit their application before the deadline. An abundance of last-minute submissions can overwhelm the application portal, which may result in upload failure. The same suggestion applies to uploading letters of recommendation. We are unable to accept any late submissions. Notification of acceptance will occur in mid- to late-February.
The application consists of:
- A one-page Statement of Research Interests and Career Goals outlining the applicant’s scientific background, current research interests and how participation in the SURP will advance academic and career aspirations
- Transcripts
- Up to two letters of recommendation
- Identifying up to three faculty members the applicant would like to work with, and a short description of why their research is of interest
We recommend applicants start by reviewing the Recent Interns page to help identify faculty whose research is of interest. However, all Fred Hutch faculty are potential mentors. If applicants have a general sense for the type of research that interests them, the Faculty/Labs page can help determine the faculty within that scientific area of interest.
We encourage applicants to review our Tips for Submitting a Quality Application.
Contact Us
NMSU students can email Dr. Graciela Unguez.
Non-NMSU students can email Dr. Julian Simon.
The Cancer Research Internship for Undergraduate Students is supported in part by NCI grants: 5 U54 CA132381 (Fred Hutch) and 5 U54 CA132383 (NMSU).
Cancer Research Internship for NMSU Graduate Students (CRI-G)
This program provides experience and mentorship for NMSU graduate students who are interested in varied aspects of cancer research in human populations. Accepted students, in coordination with their mentors, will design a project tailored to the student’s interests.
In addition to completing a mentored research project, students will also participate in weekly research seminars, professional development workshops and a competitive poster session.
The program will run from Monday, June 22 through Friday, August 21, 2026. In addition, accepted students must participate in a one-week NMSU Mixed Methods Workshop to be held late May 2026. Students must be able to commit to the entire internship period, as well as the workshop, in order to participate.
The application for the 2026 CRI-G is available here. Applications and letters of recommendation are due by midnight (PST) Friday, January 16, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Currently enrolled in an NMSU graduate program, such as, but not limited to: Public Health, Social Work, Physical Anthropology, Psychology, Physiology, Statistics or Computer Science
- Have a strong academic background
Internship Logistics
Interns will receive $7,304 (minus taxes) for participating in the program.
The PACR provides roundtrip travel (up to $450) to and from Seattle. Travel arrangements will be coordinated by program staff unless otherwise requested.
Interns are responsible for their housing, meals and local transportation costs. Housing is available at either the University of Washington or Seattle University for approximately $3,300* for the duration of the program. Housing applications be available to students who are selected to participate in the program in early March. Interns are also welcome to make their own housing arrangements.
* Estimate based on 2025 housing price
Participants are eligible to purchase a subsidized transportation pass for $45. There is a free shuttle between Fred Hutch and the University of Washington campus, departing every 15 minutes.
How to Apply
The application for the 2026 CRI-G is available here!
Contact Us
Graduate student can email Drs. Julian Simon at Fred Hutch or Graciela Unguez at NMSU.
The Cancer Research Internship for Graduate Students is supported in part by NCI grants: U54 CA132381 (Fred Hutch) and U54 CA132383 (NMSU).
Additional Training Opportunities
This two-week summer immersion experience is designed to give UW and NMSU graduate students the opportunity to observe and participate in various health settings serving populations in New Mexico. Students will receive formative experiences and the opportunity to develop research skills to critically assess health disparities and health education interventions. Activities include shadowing health personnel at their worksites and field data collection.
CHFE participants will work with:
- Public Health faculty
- Local Health educators
- Community and clinical medical staff
These collaborations will help participants better understand the regional issues related to the existence of health disparities in the US/Mexico border region.
Eligibility Requirements
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Health Sciences/Public Health graduate student enrolled at the University of Washington (UW) or New Mexico State University
- Successfully completed HSERV 555: Cancer Health Disparities (UW)
- Strong academic background
Travel and Housing
The PACR will cover the cost of airfare, ground transportation to and from the experience sites, and overnight accommodations. Participants will be responsible for any incidental expenses or any traveling costs not associated the Community Health Field Experience.
Travel arrangements will be made by the Fred Hutch staff unless otherwise requested.
How to Apply
The application period for the 2025 CHFE is closed.
Contact Us
Interested UW and NMSU graduate students can email Drs. Julian Simon or Merranda Marin with questions.
The Community Health Field Experience (CHFE) is supported in part by NCI grants: U54 CA132381 (Fred Hutch) and U54 CA132383 (NMSU).