The annual Kopchick Summer Internship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, a program initiated and funded by IUP alumni John and Char Kopchick in 2018, consistently offers transformative research opportunities to IUP students in the Biochemistry and the Cell and Molecular Biology programs. This prestigious 10-week summer research experience guarantees one IUP student a position each year at MD Anderson, one of the leading cancer centers in the world.
John Kopchick, who earned his PhD from the MD Anderson UT Health Graduate School in 1980, has partnered with his wife, Char, to create several scholarship opportunities benefiting students at both IUP and MD Anderson UT Health. Recent internship recipients Caleb Rokosky (biochemistry, summer 2023) and Jessica Delaney (cell and molecular biology, summer 2024) shared their experiences during a presentation on November 1 at Kopchick Hall.
During their presentation, Rokosky and Delaney provided an overview of their lab research at MD Anderson, along with highlights of their time on campus and in Houston. Both students emphasized how the internship enriched their academic and professional development, encouraging other students to apply for the program or begin gaining research experience to prepare for future applications.
The next recipient of the Kopchick Summer Internship will soon be selected, continuing the legacy of this exceptional opportunity. For more information about the internship or other Kopchick scholarships available at IUP, contact Jana Villemain or Cuong Diep, the cochairs of the selection committee.