Research Intern - GI Medical Oncology - Research
- Requisition #: 600656-202603121657
- Department: GI Med Oncology - Research
- Location: Houston, TX
- Posted Date: 3/9/2026
This research internship position is designed for candidates seeking advanced research experience in colorectal cancer, cancer biology, and systems biology within the Department of GI Medical Oncology at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. The program provides hands-on laboratory training and mentorship to prepare trainees for graduate, medical, or biomedical research careers. Under the mentorship of senior laboratory members and faculty investigators, the research intern will participate in multidisciplinary projects focused on the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying colorectal cancer progression, therapeutic response, and tumor-microenvironment interactions. The intern will contribute to both experimental and analytical aspects of ongoing research studies.
The intern will perform mammalian tissue culture, assist with in vivo studies in murine colorectal cancer models, and conduct molecular and cellular biology assays such as PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunostaining. The role includes supporting experiments with organoid models, immune-tumor interactions, and therapeutic response studies, as well as performing quantitative data analysis, including image analysis and statistical evaluation. Responsibilities also include maintaining accurate laboratory records, preparing experimental summaries, and assisting with figure generation. The intern will participate in lab meetings, journal clubs, and research discussions, gaining exposure to experimental design and translational cancer research. Through this immersive research experience, the intern will gain practical skills in cancer biology, experimental techniques, and data analysis within a collaborative environment focused on improving therapies for colorectal cancer.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This research internship is designed to provide comprehensive training in translational cancer research, with a focus on colorectal cancer biology and systems-level approaches to therapeutic discovery. Through mentored laboratory and analytical work, the intern will develop technical, analytical, and scientific communication skills relevant to graduate or medical training. By the end of the internship, the trainee is expected to develop a foundational understanding of translational cancer research, practical laboratory skills, and the ability to critically analyze experimental data in the context of colorectal cancer biology.
-Develop core experimental laboratory skills.
The intern will gain hands-on experience in mammalian tissue culture, including maintenance of cancer cell lines and advanced in vitro model systems. The trainee will learn sterile technique, experimental setup, and reproducible laboratory practices.
-Acquire experience with in vivo cancer research models.
Under appropriate supervision and institutional protocols, the intern will assist with the handling, monitoring, and experimental use of murine models relevant to colorectal cancer research, gaining exposure to in vivo study design and translational research approaches.
-Learn molecular and cellular biology techniques.
The trainee will perform common assays such as PCR, Western blotting, immunostaining, and flow cytometry, and will develop an understanding of how these techniques are used to interrogate cancer signaling pathways, cellular phenotypes, and tumor-microenvironment interactions.
-Develop quantitative and systems-level analytical skills.
The intern will participate in data analysis, including quantitative image analysis, basic statistical evaluation, and interpretation of experimental datasets. Exposure to systems biology approaches will help the trainee understand how multi-dimensional data can inform cancer biology and therapeutic development.
-Strengthen scientific reasoning and experimental design.
Through participation in laboratory meetings and mentorship discussions, the intern will learn how to interpret experimental results, troubleshoot experiments, and contribute to hypothesis-driven research.
-Build scientific communication skills.
The intern will learn to maintain detailed laboratory notebooks, prepare figures and summaries of experimental data, and present research updates in internal lab meetings, gaining experience in communicating scientific findings effectively.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be considered:
Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in a life science-related field such as biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, or a closely related discipline.
Academic Achievement:
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrating strong academic performance and preparation for rigorous biomedical research.
Scientific Preparation:
Coursework or prior exposure in areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, or quantitative biology is highly desirable. Previous laboratory research experience (e.g., undergraduate research projects, laboratory courses, or internships) is preferred but not strictly required.
Technical and Analytical Aptitude:
Candidates should demonstrate strong attention to detail, quantitative reasoning skills, and the ability to learn and apply experimental techniques in molecular and cellular biology.
Professional and Personal Attributes:
Applicants should possess strong organizational skills, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based research environment, and a demonstrated interest in biomedical research, translational oncology, or pursuing advanced training in graduate, medical, or biomedical research programs.
Commitment to Research Training:
Candidates should be motivated to engage in a structured research training experience and actively participate in laboratory meetings, mentorship activities, and scientific discussions as part of their professional development.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
The candidate will work in Dr. Xiling Shen's laboratory.
https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/xiling_shen.html
https://www.mdanderson.org/research/departments-labs-institutes/labs/xiling-shen-laboratory.html
POSITION INFORMATION
This position (full-time or part-time) provides a stipend between $28,000 - $37,440.
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
The intern will perform mammalian tissue culture, assist with in vivo studies in murine colorectal cancer models, and conduct molecular and cellular biology assays such as PCR, Western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunostaining. The role includes supporting experiments with organoid models, immune-tumor interactions, and therapeutic response studies, as well as performing quantitative data analysis, including image analysis and statistical evaluation. Responsibilities also include maintaining accurate laboratory records, preparing experimental summaries, and assisting with figure generation. The intern will participate in lab meetings, journal clubs, and research discussions, gaining exposure to experimental design and translational cancer research. Through this immersive research experience, the intern will gain practical skills in cancer biology, experimental techniques, and data analysis within a collaborative environment focused on improving therapies for colorectal cancer.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
This research internship is designed to provide comprehensive training in translational cancer research, with a focus on colorectal cancer biology and systems-level approaches to therapeutic discovery. Through mentored laboratory and analytical work, the intern will develop technical, analytical, and scientific communication skills relevant to graduate or medical training. By the end of the internship, the trainee is expected to develop a foundational understanding of translational cancer research, practical laboratory skills, and the ability to critically analyze experimental data in the context of colorectal cancer biology.
-Develop core experimental laboratory skills.
The intern will gain hands-on experience in mammalian tissue culture, including maintenance of cancer cell lines and advanced in vitro model systems. The trainee will learn sterile technique, experimental setup, and reproducible laboratory practices.
-Acquire experience with in vivo cancer research models.
Under appropriate supervision and institutional protocols, the intern will assist with the handling, monitoring, and experimental use of murine models relevant to colorectal cancer research, gaining exposure to in vivo study design and translational research approaches.
-Learn molecular and cellular biology techniques.
The trainee will perform common assays such as PCR, Western blotting, immunostaining, and flow cytometry, and will develop an understanding of how these techniques are used to interrogate cancer signaling pathways, cellular phenotypes, and tumor-microenvironment interactions.
-Develop quantitative and systems-level analytical skills.
The intern will participate in data analysis, including quantitative image analysis, basic statistical evaluation, and interpretation of experimental datasets. Exposure to systems biology approaches will help the trainee understand how multi-dimensional data can inform cancer biology and therapeutic development.
-Strengthen scientific reasoning and experimental design.
Through participation in laboratory meetings and mentorship discussions, the intern will learn how to interpret experimental results, troubleshoot experiments, and contribute to hypothesis-driven research.
-Build scientific communication skills.
The intern will learn to maintain detailed laboratory notebooks, prepare figures and summaries of experimental data, and present research updates in internal lab meetings, gaining experience in communicating scientific findings effectively.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be considered:
Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in a life science-related field such as biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, bioengineering, biomedical sciences, or a closely related discipline.
Academic Achievement:
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale), demonstrating strong academic performance and preparation for rigorous biomedical research.
Scientific Preparation:
Coursework or prior exposure in areas such as molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biochemistry, or quantitative biology is highly desirable. Previous laboratory research experience (e.g., undergraduate research projects, laboratory courses, or internships) is preferred but not strictly required.
Technical and Analytical Aptitude:
Candidates should demonstrate strong attention to detail, quantitative reasoning skills, and the ability to learn and apply experimental techniques in molecular and cellular biology.
Professional and Personal Attributes:
Applicants should possess strong organizational skills, the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team-based research environment, and a demonstrated interest in biomedical research, translational oncology, or pursuing advanced training in graduate, medical, or biomedical research programs.
Commitment to Research Training:
Candidates should be motivated to engage in a structured research training experience and actively participate in laboratory meetings, mentorship activities, and scientific discussions as part of their professional development.
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION INFORMATION
The candidate will work in Dr. Xiling Shen's laboratory.
https://faculty.mdanderson.org/profiles/xiling_shen.html
https://www.mdanderson.org/research/departments-labs-institutes/labs/xiling-shen-laboratory.html
POSITION INFORMATION
This position (full-time or part-time) provides a stipend between $28,000 - $37,440.
Offsite work arrangements are subject to approval and may be modified or revoked at any time based on business needs, performance considerations, or regulatory requirements.
This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.
It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state or local laws unless such distinction is required by law. http://www.mdanderson.org/about-us/legal-and-policy/legal-statements/eeo-affirmative-action.html
