ASCENT: Advancement of Scholars in Cancer Education aNd Training

ASCENT is a two-year program designed to prepare students for admission to cancer-focused PhD programs and success in a top tier graduate school.

In this mentored research and training program, students from historically underrepresented groups interested in pursuing a cancer-related PhD or MD-PhD degree will participate in ASCENT experiences and activities over two years.

Who is this program for?

This program aims to reach students from historically underrepresented groups which include American Indians and Alaska Natives, African Americans, Latinos/Hispanic and Pacific Islanders, individuals with disabilities, and/or individuals from a disadvantaged background that are pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD in a cancer-related field.

This program is not for students interested in applying to MD programs without a PhD component or for students who are only exploring the idea of a future career in scientific research. If you are interested in pursuing an MD degree, please apply to the B2MR program instead which is a post-baccalaureate program for future MD or MD-PhD students.

ASCENT is a two-year program beginning in June, 2024 and ending in June, 2026.

Important Dates

• November 1, 2023 - March 15, 2024: Program Application Open
• November 1, 2023 – February 16, 2024: Rolling Admissions
• March 15, 2024: Final application deadline (11:59 pm MDT)
• June 3, 2024: Program start date

Timeline

Year 1:

• Introductory program activities including a meet and greet with the staff and mentors and a tour of the CU Anschutz laboratories and facilities
• Required Lab Trainings
• Development of the Individualized Development Plan (IDP)
• Partnering with mentors and research laboratories within CU Anschutz
• Mentored research experience
• Responsible Conduct in Research Trainings
• Participate in journal club meetings, UCCC seminars, workshops, and/or retreats, skill development workshops, and other ASCENT activities
• Perform Cancer-Focused K-12 Outreach
• Take optional graduate and/or undergraduate courses needed to enhance the scholar’s graduate application
• Present research at one or more scientific conference

Year 2:

• Continued mentored research
• Prepare graduate program applications with support and guidance from the ASCENT team and mentors
• Attend the CU Anschutz graduate program recruitment weekend
• Participate in journal club meetings, UCCC seminars, workshops, and/or retreats, skill development workshops, and other ASCENT activities
• Present at one or more scientific conferences
• Take optional graduate and/or undergraduate courses needed to enhance the scholar’s graduate application
• Complete work towards meeting IDP goals
• Support ASCENT with the recruitment of the next class of scholars
• Attend the end-of-program celebration

• A salary of approximately $35,000, plus an additional $5,500 to pay for health benefits and/or childcare
• $3,000 per year housing allowance to assist with housing costs
• A one-time moving allowance of up to $1,000 to assist with travel to the program
• Financial support for MCAT or other preparatory courses and exam fees
• Tuition remission for PhD courses and/or undergraduate science courses deemed necessary to enhance the scholar’s preparedness for graduate school
• Academic tutoring and student services which include access to a case manager, conflict resolution supports, inclusion in graduate student activities, and connections to resources for mental health, accommodations, writing center supports, student parking rates, etc.
• Travel expenses to present at scientific conferences
• Exceptional cancer-focused mentored research experience at CU Anschutz
• Support in developing and preparing a competitive PhD program application to a top tier cancer-focused graduate program
• High-quality professional and career development activities designed to meet each ASCENT scholar’s needs and goals
• Networking and community building opportunities to enable the scholar to integrate into the social and research environment.

ASCENT Fellows will have access to a wide range of cutting-edge cancer-research opportunities in an environment that has basic, translational, and clinical research with investigators in four cancer-focused areas:

• Molecular and Cellular Oncology (MCO)
• Tumor Host Interactions (THI)
• Developmental Therapeutics (DT)
• Cancer Prevention and Control (CPC)

Prospective Mentors

Name, Degree, Title	Department, Institution	Research Focus
Diana Cittelly, PhD Associate Professor	Department of Pathology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine	Mechanisms that allow breast cancer cells to metastasize to the brain, with long-term goal of identifying alternative treatment options for patients with this -often terminal- diagnosis Research Lab
Linda Cook, PhD Professor	Department of Epidemiology, Colorado School of Public Health	Female reproductive cancers (ovarian, breast, and endometrial), and extensive experience directing large population-based studies with de novo data collection and biologic specimen collection Research Profile
Stacey Fischer, MD Associate Professor	Department of Internal Medicine, University of Colorado, School of Medicine	Ethnically diverse and vulnerable populations in aging and palliative care Research Profile
Antonio Jimeno, MD, PhD Professor	Department of Medical Oncology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine	Bridges lab and clinical research by developing direct patient xenograft models of head and neck and other cancers to generate better cancer models Research Lab
Craig Jordan, PhD Professor	Department of Hematology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine	Molecular biology of hematopoietic stem cells Research Lab
Michael Verneris, MD Professor	Department of Pediatric Hematology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine	Leukemia and using the immune system to treat cancer, whether that be through bone marrow or cellular therapy Research Lab

University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is the largest academic medical center in the Rocky Mountain region. As one of the only integrated health science campuses in the country, our campus brings together research facilities, hospitals, biotech/industry organizations, and clinics to transform healthcare.

There are five health professional schools at the Anschutz Medical Campus:

• The School of Medicine
• The Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• The Colorado School of Public Health
• The College of Nursing
• The School of Dental Medicine

School of Medicine

Biomedical Science Graduate Programs

The Biomedical Science PhD Programs specialize in conducting basic and translational research that can bridge the research and clinical worlds. Through this graduate program, students can study cancer biology, cell biology, stem cells, and development, computational bioscience, human medical genetics and genomics, immunology, integrated physiology, microbiology, molecular biology, neuroscience, rehabilitation science, or structural biology and biochemistry.

Medical Scientist Training Program

The Medical Scientist Training Program provides rigorous training for students interested in a career in clinical medicine and basic science research. In this program, students will gain training to excel as clinician-scientists.

Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Programs

At the Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences PhD Programs breakthrough research and groundbreaking discoveries happen every day. The PhD programs include specializations in pharmaceutical sciences, clinical translational science, pharmaceutical outcomes research, and molecular toxicology.

Colorado School of Public Health

The Colorado School of Public Health takes a trailblazing approach to the science and art of public health by applying a blend of research and practice to the real world to improve health. In this program, students can earn a PhD or a Doctor of Public Health in Community & Behavioral Health, Environmental & Occupational Health, or Epidemiology.

Nursing Graduate Program

The PhD in Nursing Program is designed to prepare nurse scholars to advance the art, science, and practice of nursing. In this program, students will focus on health care systems, caring science, or bio-behavioral science-based research.

Dental Medicine Research

Although the School of Dental Medicine does not offer a PhD in Craniofacial Biology, graduate students have the opportunity to conduct oral health research by enrolling in the graduate training programs with the biomedical science graduate program and electing to work with the School of Dental Medicine research faculty who are members of these training programs.

Eligibility

ASCENT is intended for baccalaureate graduates who have a committed desire to pursue a PhD or MD-PhD in cancer-related research. This program is not intended for students who have interests outside of a cancer focused area or have not yet committed to a future career in research. It is also not for students pursuing an MD program.

• If you are interested in conducting research in a non-cancer related biomedical science field, consider applying to the PIKE-PREP program instead.
• If you are interested in pursuing an MD degree, please apply to the B2MR program instead which is a post-baccalaureate program for future medical students who are interested in incorporating research into their medical career.

Before applying, ensure that you meet the following criteria. Applicants must:

• Have earned a baccalaureate degree in any STEM discipline or health profession within the last three years of the program start date from a U.S. accredited college or university.
• Belong to a historically underrepresented group in the biomedical field per the NIH guidelines which includes: Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, having a disability, or being from an educationally, culturally, socially, and/or economically disadvantaged background.
• For more information see the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity.
• Demonstrate a strong scientific background in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences in addition to mathematics as demonstrated through undergraduate coursework.
• Be committed to pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD program in cancer-research following participation in ASCENT.
• Commit to participate in ASCENT full-time for two years while not simultaneously enrolled or otherwise employed in a full-time graduate degree program.

Note: While there is no minimum GPA requirement for admission to this program, the applicant’s cumulative and science GPA as well as the number and type of science-related courses completed will serve as an indicator of readiness for graduate-level work and prior research experience will be viewed favorably.

We encourage all interested applicants to apply. If you have questions about your eligibility, please reach out to us to discuss this further (ASCENT@cuanschutz.edu).

Candidate Selection/Review Process

Once your application has been submitted it will be reviewed along with all supplemental materials in their entirety. We encourage early applications as we will do rolling reviews and admissions prior to the final candidate review which will occur after the March 15th application due date. An application will be considered complete once the application is turned in and both of the primary letters of recommendation have been submitted.

The selection committee will consider your eligibility criteria, coursework, grades, research experiences, answers on the application, statement of purpose/intent, and letters of recommendation. We are looking to bring in scholars that have demonstrated a clear passion for cancer-focused science and scientific research and who intend to enroll in a cancer-related PhD or MD-PhD program immediately following ASCENT. We also want to understand why you are interested in ASCENT and what you need to develop a competitive graduate program application as well as how the program will benefit you moving forward into a PhD or MD-PhD program.

Application Reviews

We will review applications that are completed on a rolling basis until February 16, 2024 (must have both primary letters of recommendation submitted to be reviewed).

You will be notified if you receive early admission into the program. All other applications will be rolled into the final review occurring after the March 15, 2024 due date.

How do I apply to ASCENT?

The application window for ASCENT is open between November 1st - March 15th. At this time, the application will be live. Click the Apply Now tab on this website and you will be taken to the application.

Apply Now

There are three post-baccalaureate programs at CU Anschutz. How do I know which one to apply to? Should I apply to all three?

No. Each of the post-baccalaureate training programs is very different from one another and you should read about each program in depth before deciding which program to apply to. Identify the program that best suits your interests and needs and apply to that one specifically. Some guidelines to help you make your decision between the three programs:

1. ASCENT: If you are specifically interested in pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD in a cancer-related research area, AND you need 2-years of additional training to be prepared for enrollment in graduate school, apply to this program.
2. PIKE-PREP: If you are interested in attending a PhD or MD-PhD program in any biomedical-related science field and only need 1-year of additional training to be prepared for enrollment in graduate school, apply to this program.
3. B2MR : If you are interested in becoming a clinician scientist (MD-PhD or MD who does research) AND you need 2-years of additional training to be prepared for enrollment to medical school or MSTP/MD-PhD programs, apply to this program.

Note: If you are a student who is interested in becoming an MD but not interested in research, you are not a fit for any of the post-baccalaureate programs we offer.

Once I start the application, can I save my progress and resume at a later time?

Yes, you will be able to start the application and return to it to complete it at a later time. You will be prompted to write down the code that is given to you at this time and enter your email to receive the link to return to your incomplete application. As you will only be allowed to create one application, it is important you save both of these or you will not be able to return to your application to complete it. Your application won’t be submitted to the ASCENT team and will not be considered “Complete” until you click finish and submit.

What is the deadline to submit my ASCENT application and supporting documentation?

The final deadline for the application and all application materials is March 15, 2023 at 11:59 pm MDT .

Will my application be considered if my references have not submitted their letter of recommendation by the due date?

Your application will be reviewed (following the March 15th deadline) as long as at least two of your letters of recommendation have been turned in even if both of those letters are not your primary two letters. Note that missing one or both of your primary letters could affect the committee’s consideration of you as a candidate.

Email ASCENT@cuanschutz.edu with questions or concerns you have regarding your letters of recommendation.

How soon after the application deadline will I be notified if I am accepted into the program?

All applicants will be notified of the results between April 15th and May 1st.

Who should I get to write my letters of recommendation for the program?

Your letters of recommendation should be written by people who are able to attest to your personal, academic, and research skills and interests. A letter of recommendation from a research mentor is ideal if you have had research experience. Faculty members who have worked with you in laboratory-based courses and who know you and your research interests would be other good sources for letters of recommendation. All letters of recommendation should address your commitment to pursuing a PhD or MD-PhD degree and your future career plans and goals.

What should I do if my recommenders did not get the recommendation request emailed to them?

First, double check that you entered their email into the application correctly. Next, ask your recommenders to search their inbox, spam, and trash for ASCENT or REDCap. Our recommendation requests can easily end up in spam or be accidentally deleted. If they still do not have the recommendation request, reach out to us at ASCENT@cuanschutz.edu and we can regenerate the email request to your recommender.

I see there is a list of mentors on the ASCENT website that I might have the opportunity to work with during my time as an ASCENT scholar. Do I need to select my desired mentor before applying to the program?

Potential mentors are listed on the website for your information. In the application you will have the opportunity to note any potential mentors you are interested in working with, however, ultimately mentor placement will be done by the ASCENT leadership team. We will strive to place you with the best mentor based on your research interests. Scholars should not contact mentors and try to arrange their own lab placement. That is the job of the ASCENT leadership team.

What if I am interested in working with a specific faculty member that is not listed as a current ASCENT mentor?

If you have a specific faculty member in mind that you would like to work with as an ASCENT scholar that is not listed as a vetted and trained mentor with the program, we are happy to reach out to them to see if they are interested in serving as an ASCENT mentor and working with you as a scholar. You will have the option to provide us with their name in the ASCENT application.

Does my baccalaureate degree have to be from a STEM field if I have taken numerous and well-rounded science courses?

Yes, your baccalaureate degree must be from a STEM field. Having a degree in a STEM field from an accredited institution allows you to demonstrate that you have the foundational knowledge and skills needed to pursue admission to a top-tier cancer research graduate program. Students applying to ASCENT should have completed rigorous coursework in the biological, chemical, and physical sciences in addition to mathematics. If you have specific questions about your eligibility based on your degree or coursework, please email ASCENT@cuanschutz.edu .

I completed my baccalaureate degree more than three years ago but have been taking courses since this time. Do I still qualify to apply?

In order to be eligible to participate in ASCENT, you must have completed your baccalaureate degree within three years or less of the program start date.

Parental, medical, or other well-justified leave for personal or family situations is not included in the 3-year eligibility limit, nor is national service (e.g., Peace Corps, or service in the National Guard or Armed Forces Reserves).

I received my first baccalaureate degree more than three years ago but I returned to school and received a second baccalaureate degree within the last three years. Am I eligible to apply to ASCENT?

Yes, as long as the last baccalaureate degree you earned was no more than 36 months from the start date of ASCENT, and it was in a STEM field you are eligible to apply.

I have already earned or am completing my Master’s degree, am I still eligible for the program?

Yes, you are still eligible to apply to ASCENT even if you have earned a Master’s degree. The eligibility requirement is that you may not be enrolled in a degree-seeking program at the same time as you are participating in ASCENT AND that you earned your baccalaureate degree within 36 months of the start of ASCENT.

While my coursework demonstrates a strong scientific background in biological, chemical, and physical science as well as mathematics, I struggled in one or two of these courses. Should I still apply for the program?

Yes, you should still apply. The goal of ASCENT is to support our scholars in addressing areas they may have deficiencies in that would impact their ability to be accepted into competitive graduate programs. You will have the opportunity to retake undergraduate courses or take graduate-level courses with support from the ASCENT mentors and team during your time in the program.

I am uncertain if I would like to do research and pursue a PhD or MD-PhD degree in the future. Is ASCENT a good program to enable me to explore research as a future career?

No, ASCENT is not an exploration program. ASCENT is for scholars who have already decided to pursue a future career in research and who need more support, development, and training in order to have a competitive application to graduate school.

I do not have prior research experience. Should I still apply?

Yes. You do not have to have prior research experience to be accepted into ASCENT. This may be the area where you have a gap that ASCENT can address in your graduate program application. You should, however, already have experiences that have led you to know that a future career in cancer research is your desired career path and be able to articulate that in your ASCENT application.

What are you looking for in a competitive application?

The selection committee will consider your eligibility criteria, coursework, grades, research experiences, answers on the application, statement of purpose/intent, and letters of recommendation. We are looking to bring in scholars that have demonstrated a clear passion for cancer-related science and scientific research and who intend to enroll in a cancer-related PhD or MD-PhD program immediately following ASCENT. We also want to understand why you are interested in ASCENT and what you need to develop a competitive graduate program application as well as how the program will benefit you moving forward into a PhD or MD-PhD program.

How will the COVID-19 pandemic impact the program?

We anticipate that we will be able to maintain all of the planned programming for our scholars in the upcoming cohort. While we recognize that the delivery method of the programming could be modified for safety, our scholars should be able to engage in research on campus provided that all state and University COVID-19 guidelines are followed such as masking and social distancing.

Can I visit the campus and labs before making a decision to either apply for or accept an invitation to join the program cohort?

At this time, we are unable to accommodate lab and site visits; however, applicants are encouraged to review the information on the ASCENT website, reach out to the ASCENT program team with any questions at ASCENT@cuanschutz.edu, visit the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus website, and visit the Biomedical Science Graduate Program website.

What if I am not eligible to apply to ASCENT? What other recommendations do you have to help me prepare for a PhD program?

There are other preparatory programs at universities across the country. You could research to find other programs that might be a better fit for you. Alternatively, interested students could consider obtaining a job in a research laboratory such as a research assistant, research coordinator, or laboratory technician. These positions may also offer tuition remission or reimbursement for employees to take graduate courses while working. These experiences could also help you prepare for graduate school and enable you to further develop the skills and experience you need to be accepted to a graduate program. To find listings for positions at CU go to the CU Careers Website.

If you are interested in receiving research mentoring, check out the National Research Mentoring Network, which connects students with potential mentors across different disciplines.

 

Do you have other questions? Reach out to the ASCENT team at ASCENT@cuanschutz.edu.

Before beginning your application, please have the following information ready and completed:

1. Copy of your Resume or CV.
2. Copies of the official or unofficial transcripts from all universities/colleges attended. The graduation date must be included.
3. Names and contact information for a minimum of two and a maximum of four faculty members who have agreed to write and submit a professional reference on your behalf by the application deadline.
   • Note: Your letters of recommendation should be professional references from your college/university faculty members who know you personally and who can attest to your future career plans and goals. Examples include science course professors and instructors, professional counselors, and major advisors.
4. You will be asked on the application to identify your top three research areas you are interested in for your ASCENT research experience. Please review the information in the “Research Areas and Program Mentors” tab on the ASCENT website and have your top three identified for both before beginning your application.
5. Write a one-page personal statement (single-spaced, with 0.5-inch margins, in 11-12 pt. font).
   Use your personal statement to help the ASCENT admissions committee to get to know you, understand your reasons for wanting to attend ASCENT at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and learn about your professional goals. Please be sure to describe:
   • Why you have chosen to apply to ASCENT,
   • What you hope to gain from participation in the program on a personal and professional level,
   • Any life experiences, including personal challenges, that have impacted you and your decision to pursue a career in biomedical research, and
   • Yourself, your sense of identity, and how this will contribute to the diversity of ASCENT, CU Anschutz, and ultimately the field of biomedical research.
6. Write a one-page research statement (single-spaced, with 0.5-inch margins, in 11-12 pt. font). Use your research statement to summarize your past research experiences and research-related classroom experiences if you have not had a formal research experience. In addition, please include a description of:
   • Your interest in and passion for biomedical research,
   • Specific research fields or topics of study you find most interesting and why,
   • How you have contributed to or solved a challenging problem or research question (if applicable),
   • What you have learned about yourself through your past research experiences or research related classroom experiences, and
   • Your professional goals, how a PhD fits with these goals, and where you envision your career to be in 5 to 10 years.

Once you begin your application you will have the option to save your work, resume at a later time, and review your application before submitting it.

Apply Now

Thank you to our generous sponsors for their support with the next generation of diverse cancer research scientists!

ASCENT is supported by an American Cancer Society (ACS) Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) grant and administered by the Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination (CRTEC) at the CU Cancer Center. The program also receives support from the CU Anschutz Medical Campus Cancer Center, Chancellor’s Office, Division of Hematology, and Division of Medical Oncology.