For more than 50 years, the University of Chicago has shaped the future of cancer care and research, transforming hope into progress for patients around the world. As about 1 in 3 men and women will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime—and with the number of cancer survivors in the U.S. expected to reach 22 million by 2035—UChicago’s commitment to innovative, interdisciplinary research is more vital than ever.
Yet, as the cancer patient population grows, so does the need for physicians across all specialties who understand the cancer care continuum. Medical students and non-oncology physicians continue to report gaps in training—from understanding cancer’s origins to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
The Scholars in Oncology-Associated Research (SOAR) program at the University of Chicago aims to fill these gaps by providing medical students with exposure to high-quality mentored research career opportunities coupled with a better understanding of the complete cancer care continuum.
Building on strengths, inspiring the future
Guided by world-renowned faculty and supported by a prestigious R25 National Cancer Institute grant, SOAR leverages the resources and expertise of the University of Chicago Medicine Comprehensive Cancer Center and the Center for Innovation in Global Health.
“The goal of SOAR is to give students an interdisciplinary and interprofessional cancer research education through experiential learning,” said Olufunmilayo I. Olopade, MD, FACP, FAACR, FASCO, Walter L. Palmer Distinguished Service Professor of Medicine and Principal Investigator of SOAR. “Since 2016, our aim has been to improve medical students’ knowledge of innovative research leading to faster cures or outright prevention of cancer in all populations.”
Each year, SOAR selects 12 to 15 first-year medical students for the Pritzker School of Medicine’s Summer Research Program—an 11-week intensive experience that blends cutting-edge bench, clinical, and population research. Students work alongside National Institutes of Health-funded mentors, contributing to the University’s ambitious research portfolio and learning firsthand how scientific breakthroughs advance patient care.
“Programs like SOAR bring summer research to the next level,” said Rachel K. Wolfson, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Assistant Dean of Medical School Research. “The program’s intentionality in connecting our students with esteemed oncology researchers and truly immersing them in the life of academic oncology draws students to choose Pritzker for their medical education and provides them with the scaffolding needed to launch their own careers as physician-scientists.”
A unique feature of SOAR lies in its global perspective. Some medical students’ research experiences are hosted at international partner sites in Brazil, Colombia, Ghana, Germany, Hong Kong, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. Whether conducting research locally or abroad, trainees become part of a vibrant network pushing the boundaries of oncology.
Patrick Wang, a medical student who participated in SOAR, said the program gave him the opportunity to explore cancer in a global context as he researched the relationship between the oral microbiome and oral cancer with one of the foremost labs on this topic in the world.
“My project included matched patients from both Hong Kong and Chicago, which allowed us to not only improve the strength of our research but also foster international collaboration,” he said. “I received great mentorship and am excited to continue developing our project for the rest of medical school. I’ve definitely developed an interest in head and neck cancer both through this research and mentorship, and I want to stay involved in oncology research in the future.”
Comprehensive training
The SOAR program offers med students comprehensive training and experience, including:
- Spring Elective Course: Introduction to multidisciplinary oncology experts.
- Summer Research: Collaborative research experiences supported by mentorship.
- Didactics & Tumor Boards: Deepening understanding of real-world cancer care.
- Skill-Building: Coding, data analytics, and formal instruction in ethical research.
- Networking & Career Development: Attendance at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting connects students with global leaders and diverse career paths.
“A primary aim of the program is to develop a robust pipeline of medical students pursuing physician-scientist careers and to enhance their ability to conduct optimal interdisciplinary oncology research,” said Evgeny Izumchenko, MSc, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine and SOAR Co-Director. “Our students carry forward UChicago’s strengths—scientific rigor, collaboration, and commitment to patient impact—into their own careers.”
The legacy continues
SOAR’s impact is lasting: Many trainees continue their research well beyond summer, publishing findings in high impact journals and presenting at premier conferences. These experiences prepare future physicians to not only treat cancer, but to lead the next chapter in its prevention, diagnosis, and cure—building on the University of Chicago’s enduring strengths.
“SOAR provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to investigate a career in oncology and oncology-related disciplines,” said Lorraine E. Canham, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and SOAR Co-Director. “As evidenced by continued engagement with program leaders and mentors in clinical and research endeavors as they progress through their training, students transition from participants to true contributors to the field.”
At the University of Chicago, the legacy of cancer research does more than shape medicine—it empowers a new generation to build a future where every patient’s hope is answered with progress.
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