Skip to main content
vertical  vertical

Vanderbilt-Excellence in Cancer Research, Education, and Leadership
(V-EXCEL) Program

The V-EXCEL Program at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center sponsored by the American Cancer Society provides a unique training experience that builds upon Vanderbilt's extraordinary record of research, training. The program’s specific objectives are to provide:

  1. Mentored cancer research experiences for students pursuing a bachelor's degree
  2. A robust set of structured career development activities to support the acquisition of knowledge and skills to pursue higher education leading to future careers in cancer research or medicine
  3. Opportunities for community engagement to support a community of practice

 

V-EXCEL interns participate in an in-person, 10-week summer program of mentored basic, clinical/translational, and/or population science cancer research, cancer education, professional development, and community outreach activities. The overall program activities are individually tailored to meet the needs of each V-EXCEL intern.

About the V-EXCEL Program

V-EXCEL program dates: June 2 - August 1, 2025

Leveraging the strengths of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center, this program will immerse eight interns in a research laboratory for 10 weeks working with a Vanderbilt faculty member on a cutting-edge cancer research project.

Selected participants will receive a stipend of $5,500. Through this internship, participants will gain the knowledge, skills, and community to further their education and career in cancer research or medicine. In addition to their research, interns will participate in:

  • Responsible Conduct in Research training
  • An individualized research development plan
  • Meharry Medical College (MMC)-Vanderbilt-Tennessee State University (TSU) Cancer Partnership (MVTCP) online modules
  • Cancer Research presentation
  • MVTCP Annual Research Symposium
  • Career Path Lunch & Learn Sessions
  • • Online resources from Vanderbilt University, Nature Masterclass

Program Details

The activities after the summer session are not required. These include the Professional Skills Development Workshops, the MVTCP Annual Research Symposium, and Community Engagement (CE) events.

Eligible candidates for the V-EXCEL program will be:

  • Rising sophomores, juniors or seniors pursuing full-time bachelor’s degrees from nationally accredited colleges or universities
  • Able to commit to the full-time, 10-week summer program from May through August in Nashville, Tennessee
  • In good academic standing with at least a 3.0 overall GPA
  • Individuals who are interested in pursuing higher degrees and careers in science or medicine, with a focus on cancer, will benefit most from the program

The summer 2025 application deadline is February 7 at 11:59 pm CST and includes the following materials:

  • One-page statement of interest
  • Copy of college transcript (does not need to be official)
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Resume or CV

Apply here: https://redcap.link/2025VICCV_EXCEL

Please contact us at V-EXCEL@vumc.org.

2024-2025 Interns

  
Fateh AswadFateh Aswad, BS
Fateh Aswad was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico. He graduated from New Mexico State University with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology with University Honors in May 2024. Throughout the duration of his undergraduate career, Fateh has been involved in multiple organizations dedicated to the field of medicine and public service, including Friends of Médecins Sans Frontières, Health Occupations Students of America, and the Associated Students of New Mexico State University. In Summer 2023, he was selected as a 2023 American Cancer Society Scholar at the Yale School of Medicine, where he conducted research in cancer epigenetics in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Upon return to his university in Fall 2023, Fateh joined a comparative immunology lab and studied innate immune proteins with sepiolid squids. Combining his love of medicine and his interests in both cancer biology and immunology, he has developed a specific research focus in immunotherapies and their clinical applications against various cancers. After completion of the VERTICAL Program, he plans to attend medical school and pursue a career as a physician specializing in oncology and hematology. In his free time, he enjoys playing soccer and video games, traveling with friends and family, and watching movies.
Asia MillerAsia Miller, BA
Asia Miller was born in Indianapolis, Indiana. She then moved to Nashville to attend Vanderbilt University. At Vanderbilt, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological Sciences. Throughout her entire undergraduate career, she studied the microbiome of a genus of parasitoid wasp named Nasonia. Her research inspired her to co-found the Vanderbilt University Microbiome Society in order to bring together other students who had an interest in the microbiome field. Asia attended Vanderbilt as a QuestBridge scholar and was able to foster her love for research/mentoring as a SyBBURE Searle Undergraduate Research fellow. After graduating, Asia worked for a year as a Research Assistant in a clinical microbiology laboratory at VUMC. Her experience there confirmed her desire to one day obtain a PhD in Microbiology and to continue to study host-pathogen interactions in a clinical setting. As a VERTICAL fellow, Asia’s project revolves around the carcinogenic bacteria Bacteroides fragilis. Outside of research, Asia enjoys ceramics, strength-training, and watching horror movies.
Bryan HernandezBryan Hernandez, BS
Bryan Hernandez was born in El Paso, Texas, and graduated summa cum laude from The University of Texas at El Paso’s honors program with a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience. He plans to pursue a career as a physician-scientist to develop patient-focused research with the goal of impacting the treatment and care given based on patient necessities. His clinical interest is in neurology with research interests in neurodevelopmental disorders and neuro-oncology. In his free time outside of the lab, he enjoys going to the gym, playing sports, and cooking.
Christin KeetonChristin Keeton, BS
Christin Keeton was born and raised in Decatur, Georgia. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from Tuskegee University with her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Her interest in Chemistry stems from her eagerness to think critically and problem solve to develop scientific findings that can be beneficial to the world. Christin has a passion to serve and advocate for her peers. A few of her involvements included serving as Junior Class Vice President, Tuskegee University National Pan-Council Vice President, and Synergy Health Committee Secretary. While excelling in her academic studies Christin received awards for leadership and achievement. The awards included CRC Annual Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award, Bahrat Dubal Award and American Chemical Society Leadership Award. In Spring 2021, Christin was initiated into the Gamma Kappa Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Ms. Keeton has worked as an intern for Quest Diagnostics. Throughout the internship she worked alongside Quest leads and grantees capturing metrics and important documentation while also creating a journey map with a purpose of showing a visual depiction of how the grantee process should flow and be used as a guide to improve future grantee’s experience. Christin was selected as a 2022 – 2023 American Heart Association HBCU Scholar where she conducted research with Dr. Calderon at Harrison School of Pharmacy at Auburn University. Outside of her career, she enjoys relaxing on the beach, going on spontaneous adventures and building her dream cars. Her specific research interest is the various targeted therapies that are being tested in clinical trials for Triple- Negative Breast Cancer. Upon, completion of the VERTICAL Program, she intends to apply to medical school and advance towards a career to practice medicine focusing in pediatric anesthesiology.
Jordan SwabyJordan Swaby, BS
Jordan Swaby was born in Brooklyn, New York and primarily raised in Jacksonville, Florida where he developed an interest in clinical medicine. This interest was further developed into an interest in translational research through research opportunities with the University of Florida and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Jordan received his Bachelor of Sciences in Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida and hopes to pursue a career as a physician-scientist with aims to help visual tumors in cancer patients.
Chukwuanugo ObiagaChukwuanugo Obiaga
Chukwuanugo Obiaga was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and he is a rising senior studying Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Fisk University. At a young age, he developed an interest in science and mathematics because he was driven by his curiosity to understand the world around him. During the school year, Chukwuanugo works in a lab that focuses on characterizing the dopaminergic neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans for better treatment and therapy against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, etc. He was also a 2023 summer intern at Regeneron Pharmaceuticals where he worked on cell line characterization in the protein expression sciences department. His experience at Regeneron further solidified his desire for a career at the intersection of clinical research and translational science. Chukwuanugo's sights are set on medical school after graduation, with the ultimate goal of becoming a licensed physician. In his free time, Chukwuanugo enjoys playing soccer, watching movies, and spending time with loved ones.
Gracey SuggsGracey Suggs
Gracey Suggs was born and raised in Clarksville, Tennessee. She is an undergraduate student at Austin Peay State University studying Medical, Cellular, and Molecular Biology and minoring in Psychology. Gracey is part of the Austin Peay State University President’s Emerging Leaders Program, Honors Program, National Society of Leadership and Success, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta, and President of the Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society ETA PI Chapter. While excelling at her studies she was also an Austin Peay State University Cheerleader and has participated as the Student Government Association's junior senator and a Student-Athlete Advisory Committee member. She was also a Peer Mentor of ELECT (Elevating Leaders and Enhancing the Collegiate Transition Program). Gracey was one of seven individuals competitively selected to participate in the Vanderbilt Excellence in Cancer Research, Education, and Leadership (V-EXCEL) Program at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center for the summer of 2024. After graduation, she plans to attend medical school and pursue a career in Pediatric Oncology.
Hundaol HulukaHundaol Huluka
Hundaol Huluka is a Biomedical Engineering student at Vanderbilt University, driven by a strong passion for enhancing healthcare systems in underdeveloped communities. She is committed to designing and developing medical technologies that are both affordable and effective, aiming to make quality healthcare accessible to all. Her work aims to bridge the gap in healthcare accessibility and quality, ensuring that even the most marginalized populations can benefit from advanced medical care.
Jared GoogelJared Googel
Jared Googel was born in New York City, New York but moved to and was raised in Somers, New York. He is currently attending Lafayette College in Easton, Pennslyvania, working to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Biology. He plans to pursue a career as a medical doctor, specializing in Allergy and Immunology. In high school, he was a part of the Presidents Junior Leadership Council at Northern Westchester Hospital in New York where he served as the head chair of the recruitment committee. He was a youth group cadet at the Yorktown Volunteer Ambulance Corps in Yorktown, New York. He was also an All-State track and field athlete and he is on the track and field team at Lafayette College. He worked in a lab the previous school year cataloging bacteriophages. Outside the lab, Jared enjoys going to the gym, skiing, and playing sports.
Mary TasketMary Tasket
Mary Tasket was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville where she is a Chancellor's Honors student. As an undergraduate, she has worked as a Research Assistant with Dr. Elizabeth Barker in the Engineered Designs for Biomedicine lab, gaining drug delivery and biomaterials research experience, focusing primarily on local drug delivery of chemotherapy to pediatric brain tumor models. This experience has sparked her specific research interest in targeted therapies for treatment of breast cancer. Upon completion of the V-EXCEL program, she plans to obtain her PhD and pursue a career in cancer research, innovating and improving therapies for cancer patients.
Reagan SellersReagan Sellers
Reagan Sellers is from Burns, Tennessee, and is a rising junior at Belmont University in Nashville. She is on track to graduate from Belmont in the spring of 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. Her dedication and passion for science are fueled by her enthusiasm for learning, critical thinking, problem-solving, and discovery. Reagan loves how science unites the world and benefits others. Her campus involvement includes serving as the current Vice President of the Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society. She is also an active member of Belmont's Pre-Health Club, the Belmont Office of Leadership and Student Development (BOLD), and Belmont HOSA (Future Health Professionals). Reagan was selected for the 2022-2023 Summer Undergraduate Research for the Sciences (SURFS) program at Belmont. Under the mentorship of Dr. Andrea Florian, she conducted research aimed at advancing therapies for cancers like leukemia. Additionally, she interns at Vanderbilt University’s Huntington’s Disease Clinic, where she works alongside neurologists during patient care visits, inputs research data, attends journal club meetings, and engages with patients. Moreover, Reagan serves as the Tennessee coordinator for the Team Hope Walk under the Huntington's Disease Society of America (HDSA), demonstrating her commitment to community involvement and advocacy. Outside of her academic pursuits, Reagan enjoys running, weightlifting, traveling, and eating delicious food. Upon completing the V-EXCEL Program, she plans to apply to medical school and pursue a career in pediatric oncology.
Saleban GabureSaleban Gabure
Saleban Gabure was born and raised in Nashville, TN. He currently attends Tennessee State University studying Biochemistry. Having fallen deeply for the science of Chemistry at first exposure in high school, Saleban was amazed at how subatomic, chemical and molecular interactions amount to large-scale, tangible physical and biological changes in a measurable, predictable manner. Because of these sentiments, Saleban became fascinated with projects concerning cancer research, biomedical engineering, and the broader immunological sciences, and aspires to attain a PhD related to these fields to join the drive towards positively impacting the longevity and quality of all life by upholding curiosity and inquiry. In his spare time, as an iOS and long-time ROBLOX developer, Saleban is driven by software and game development passion projects.