Santa Barbara, CA – The Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara (CFSB) has awarded a $25,000 grant to UC Santa Barbara’s Research Mentorship Program (RMP), helping high school students conduct university-level, oncology-related research alongside UCSB researchers this summer.
Since 2013, CFSB has partnered with UCSB to increase access to this prestigious program by offsetting program costs and providing scholarships, ensuring underrepresented students can participate regardless of financial barriers.
“With cancer incidence on the rise, oncology research is more important now than ever,” said Lori Willis, Executive Director of the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara. “We are proud to support future researchers today to improve outcomes for cancer patients tomorrow—especially right here in our community.”
Part of UCSB’s Pre-College Summer Sessions, the RMP offers high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while working alongside top researchers. In 2024, 77 students participated in the program, guided by 42 UCSB mentors across a range of disciplines.
As part of its ongoing partnership with UCSB, Cancer Foundation staff and trustees recently visited the campus to meet with students in the RMP and learn about their oncology-related research. Among the topics presented were studies on how technology could reduce toxicity exposure during chemotherapy and how changes to circadian rhythms may affect the spread of diseases, like cancer.
One student shared, “The collaborative environment and support from my mentor have been invaluable. I’ll carry with me a renewed passion for research, a deeper appreciation for interdisciplinary learning, and lasting relationships with my peers.”
The CFSB team is dedicated to fostering the next generation of researchers and innovators. By supporting programs like UCSB RMP, the Cancer Foundation is investing in the future of cancer research and the bright minds that will bring us closer to a cure.
For more information about the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara, visit www.cfsb.org.
For more information about UCSB’s Research Mentorship Program, visit www.summer.ucsb.edu/programs/research-mentorship-program/overview.
About the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara:
For more than 75 years, the Cancer Foundation has served as the backbone of oncology support in Santa Barbara County by ensuring the availability of superior cancer care and patient support services for all residents. The Foundation is an independent nonprofit and the exclusive fundraising partner of the Ridley-Tree Cancer Center. To learn more, visit the Cancer Foundation of Santa Barbara at www.cfsb.org, or find us on Instagram and Facebook.
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