LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Los Angeles Unified School District students will have the opportunity to get hands-on experience at the Lawrence J. Ellison Institute for Transformative Medicine's cancer research facility and patient clinic in West Los Angeles under a collaboration announced by the institute Monday.
The three-week immersive fellowship will connect high school seniors who are interested in oncology with mentors, state-of-the-art equipment and curated educational programming, the Ellison Institute said. Eight students were chosen for the "Junior Fellows" program this summer, and the institute said it hopes to increase the number of students participating in future years.
"We are thrilled to join forces with LAUSD to provide local students with an entry point into the world of science that will inspire them to become the leaders who solve the global health challenges of tomorrow," said Dr. David Agus, founding director & CEO of the Ellison Institute. "We've seen over the past two years that strong scientific leadership is critical to ensuring community health, and the Institute is committed to fostering the next generation of these leaders right here in L.A."
The institute's facility was built in 2020 and includes transparent walls to connect researchers directly with patients receiving treatment.
Students also will be able to witness the intersection of science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) through original artwork at the facility by Jeff Koons, Robert Indiana and Picasso.
"Our district is grateful for this collaboration with the Ellison Institute," said LAUSD career technical education-linked learning administrator Esther Soliman. "We are excited that our students are applying for and taking advantage of such an outstanding opportunity over the summer to learn at one of the most pioneering medical research institutes in the country."
The institute added that students can continue to benefit from the program through ongoing mentorship and support from its staff.