The primary goal of the Eugene and Ruth Roberts Summer Student Academy at City of Hope is to provide young people (high school and university students) with an opportunity for a "hands-on" research experience.

Summer students design and work on their own research projects in areas of their specific interests. City of Hope instructors act as mentors who provide valuable guidance and support while simultaneously encouraging independent thought and exploration. These instructors are faculty of the City of Hope Irell & Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences. Program participants also communicate their research findings to their peers and instructors in a weekly student seminar series. We also mentor scientific writing by having students produce a written report at the end of their project. An important objective of the program is to develop vital oral and written communication skills, which are so important in the world of seminars, colloquia, manuscript publication and grant writing that is critical to graduate student and postgraduate life. 

Another goal inherent to City of Hope’s mission is to promote translational research: applying exciting research discoveries to patient clinical trials.  Our summer students gain exposure to this approach daily, and it helps them to develop into full-fledged researchers and physicians.