GA-Yes Summer Research Program
The Georgia Science Education Initiative's NCI GA-YES program offers rising juniors and seniors from Cherokee County, GA the opportunity to engage in hands-on research projects with a faculty mentor during this 6-week summer program from June 5 to July 23, 2025. Students will also participate in quarterly workshops presented by our undergraduate STEM Mentors club during subsequent high school years to support academic and personal development.
Applications are now open!
Overview
Funded through the National Cancer Institute, the GA-YES program at Emory University focuses on providing rising juniors and seniors in rural Cherokee County the opportunity to participate in faculty mentored cancer research. Students will be bused to Emory campus from a central location in Cherokee county and mentored by Emory faculty for a specific cancer research project during the six-week program. A curriculum focused on cancer biology, epidemiology, health services, and data science, with an emphasis on cancer disparities, will be presented through interactive lectures by cancer researchers.
By offering faculty-mentored research, peer mentorship, and year-round engagement, GA-YES helps these students gain knowledge in cancer biology, cancer research, and disparities. The program also provides opportunities for students to consider pursuing careers in cancer and biomedical fields, especially in medically underserved rural areas.
Program Information
This is a 6-week research program, occurring from June 5 to July 23, 2025. Students will arrive and depart campus daily by bus from a central location in Cherokee county. Students are expected to be onsite every day, Monday through Friday, for the program. Students must be rising juniors or seniors in high school and at least 16 years old by June 5, 2025. While on campus, students will:​​​​​​​​
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Work with their faculty mentor and their team on a specific cancer research project.
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Attend lectures and discussions on cancer biology, clinical cancer care, and health equity given by Winship research faculty
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Engage with near-peer mentors, undergraduate and graduate students at Emory University​
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Participate in quarterly virtual workshops through the school year with near-peer mentors on topics related to college transition and career development
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Present results of the research projects at the final symposium to Winship research mentors, STEM mentors, teachers, families, and community members.
In addition to the summer research program, students will participate in program evaluations and report their education and career progress over the next 15 years after program participation. ​
Application Process
Applications for the summer research program will open toward the end of March.
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Applications require student and parent/guardian information, parent/guardian permission to participate in program, short written essays addressing the students' interest in participating as well as information on the type of research that interests them. Students must also get a letter of recommendation from a teacher. Students will only need to submit the teacher email address but should request the letter and have an agreement from the teacher to write the letter before submitting the application.
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Selected applicants will be chosen for a virtual interview and final participants will be selected from this group.
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Student applications are open March 24, 2025 through April 6th.
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For questions/further information contact info@ga-science.org