Enhancing Medical Student Oncology Research Experiences Through a Comprehensive Cancer Center-Led Initiative

An expanding shortage in the oncology workforce alongside a declining physician-scientist pipeline underscores the urgency to engage medical students in oncology research early in training. At the [redacted] Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), a multidisciplinary working group of clinical faculty, medical students, graduate students, and staff developed and implemented a structured framework to improve the feasibility and accessibility of oncology research for medical students. Significant barriers limiting access were identified, including unclear expectations, difficulty identifying mentors, and limited familiarity with research process amongst trainees. This initiative demonstrates how NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) can leverage existing infrastructure to connect students with meaningful oncology research opportunities and, in doing so, build a more inclusive and representative oncology workforce. The approach described here is adaptable to other specialties and institutions seeking to improve medical student participation in research, broaden participation in academic medicine, and strengthen physician-scientist development.