The Office of Scientific Education & Training at @MSKCancerCenter serves as an academic resource for current and prospective scientific and clinical trainees.
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ALT MSK Engage Program for NYC College Students Define your path to a PhD with MSK Engage, a two year program designed for NYC college students. MSK Engage is sponsored by the Gray Foundation.
ALT Research experience – immersion in biomedical research in cutting edge laboratories at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) for up to 26 months. • Community – Scholars will receive guided mentoring by faculty, graduate students and postdocs with social activities to foster community. • Educational training – participation in professional development workshops and skills building classes, as well as research seminars. During their gap year students will participate in a Cancer Core class. • Professional guidance – individualized career guidance and assistance with the graduate school application process. • Benefits – competitive stipend at all phases of the program; plus, health benefits (during gap year). February 2, 2026: Deadline to apply. June 1, 2026 – August 7, 2026: Scholars begin a 10-week summer internship in MSK labs. During the first week they will participate in a bootcamp in lab basics and will be immersed in professional development activities with other summer interns.
ALT National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT #BestPartOfScience: Learning to live with questions and walk beside uncertainty. Keep climbing toward understanding with others who are committed to the same journey, knowing that each peak is simply a place to begin again. #BecomingASceintist: Seeing loved ones face illness made me curious about how the body defends itself. I was drawn to the immune system for its complexity, and for what it reveals about resilience, timing, and care. #FunFuct: I spend time with my plants, watching small shifts, from a new leaf to how light shapes growth over time. They have taught me to notice patterns and respect the kind of timing that can't be forced. I also play video games, where the pace is faster, and failure is part of the process. You fall, rethink, and try again. Along the way, you meet teammates who challenge and support you. In science, I carry both rhythms with me. Xiao Huang, PhD Rudensky Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT #KnowAboutMyScience: Tumors are complex ecosystems - not just cancer cells, but networks of interacting cell types. I study these relationships to uncover how cancer hijacks biology and help develop better therapies. #CareerAdvice: Challenge yourself by changing environments- new institutions, cities, or countries. It's one of the best ways to grow as a scientist. #BecomingAScientist: I once dreamed of being an investigative journalist. Now I chase mysteries at the cellular level, just as fascinating, only under a microscope. #FunFuct: From sports to theater, my childhood was packed with activities. Each taught me something different, but together they shaped my creativity, discipline, and persistence- qualities I catty into science. Agnieszka Chryplewicz, PhD Sawyers Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT #KnowAboutMyScience: Blood stem cells can “remember” past infections and inflammation, leaving behind molecular marks that shape future immune responses and even contribute to disease. My current research is focused on tissue side. #BecomingAScientist: I have always been fascinated by how inflammatory diseases are triggered so differently in people by things like diet, stress, sleep, exercise, or aging. This variability in the immune system and how it shapes disease drew me to science. I started with immunology, then added epigenetics, and now study epithelial tissues like the skin and gut where inflammation often shows itself most clearly. #FunFact: I love capturing smiles through photography. I enjoy how different colors and light create unique feelings, and that creative perspective helps me think about how to present science. Jin Gyu Cheong, PhD Niec Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT #BecomingAScientist: It began with a simple question to my primary school teacher: “How does one part of our body communicate with another without speaking?” I have always been fascinated by how cells communicated. It's astonishing how these tiny molecular conversations ultimately shape who we are. To pursue these questions systematically, I have chosen a career in scientific research, where I can investigate the mechanisms underlying these complex biological processes. #CareerAdvice: Most of the time, research is about how you handle your failure, which occurs far more often than success. Stay persistent and take breaks when needed. #FunFact: Crocheting reminds me of science: even when things seem disjointed, they can come together beautifully in the end. Anju Sharma, PhD Petrini Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT #BestPartOfScience: Knowing my work could help transform how we treat cancer patients. #BecomingAScientist: I have always loved analyzing things - from watching plants grow to exploring how our bodies work. Inspired by scientists in movies, I knew I wanted to be one. #CareerAdvice: Focus on what you love but stay open to new opportunities and big picture. #FunFact: Baking is my creative outlet, and it is all about strictly following the protocol! Whether it is chocolate fudge cake or Bavarian Prinzregententorte, sticking to the recipe is key to a perfect bake! Kacper Walentynowicz, PhD Parada Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT #BecomingAScientist: Being a scientist is one of the most exciting and engaging careers that exists. It demands the work of a community of researchers to make meaningful progress and thrives on a diversity of backgrounds and experiences to solve some of the world's most complex and interesting problems. The opportunity to join this global community and contribute to our shared mission of understanding our world and benefiting humanity is a gift. #CareerAdvice: Own your missteps and keep moving forward. Set reasonable expectations for yourself and give yourself grace when you need it. And we work better together, so accept help when you can. Megan E. Kelley, PhD Sfeir Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT NPAW 2025 photo contest winners Penni for our thoughts - Megan E. Kelley (Sfeir Lab) May your generating station for science never stop, and may it kiss the skyline with a touch of beauty - Zhendong Cao (Sawyers Lab) Who needs WiFi when the universe is streaming live above your tent? - Manendra Lankadasari (Jones Lab)
ALT #BestPartOfScience: The thrill of discovery and the hope that each finding brings us closer to easing the burden of cancer for patients everywhere. #BecomingAScientist: My journey began in India, continued through my PhD in Israel, and now advances in the U.S. Along the way, I’ve seen how deadly head & neck cancer is worldwide - and I became a scientist to help defeat it. #CareerAdvice: Think globally, collaborate widely, and stay resilient. Collaboration fuels creativity - every small step contributes to a much larger fight. #FunFact: Photography and long walks help me notice small details, gain perspective, and approach challenges with fresh eyes. Manu Prasad, PhD Morris Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025
ALT #BecomingAScientist: As a dentist, I realized that oral health is often treated in isolation, even though it is deeply connected to systemic health. The lack of multidisciplinary communication between oral medicine and other fields inspired me to become a scientist focused on bridging these gaps. #CareerAdvice: Build a strong network of mentors and peers, and don’t be afraid to share your ideas. Even conversations with experts outside your field can spark new perspectives and inspire creative directions in research. #FunFact: I’m currently training for my second NYC Marathon, and this process has taught me resilience, discipline, and how to keep moving forward despite setbacks, the same mindset I bring to science. Sofia Tortora Morel, DDS, PhD Diehl Lab National Postdoc Appreciation Week September 2025