FAQs

Who is Eligible to Apply to The UPMC  Hillman Cancer Center Academy?

We accept applications from all high school students who meet the age requirement. Applicants must be at least 15 years of age by the start date of the program. No applicant is guaranteed admission to the Hillman Academy. The University of Pittsburgh mandates that people be at least 16 years old in order to access its “wet lab” facilities. Therefore, Hillman Academy participants under the age of 16 would only be eligible to join one of the academy’s computational or “dry lab” facilities. Hillman Academy dry labs include:

  1. Computational Biology (CompBio)
  2. Computer Sciences, Biology, and Biomedical Informatics (CoSBBI)
  3. Surgery

What is the Difference Between a “Wet Lab” and a “Dry Lab?”

A “wet lab” is a lab in which experimentation involves the direct handling of chemicals and biological material often with liquid solutions or volatile phases. A “dry lab,” on the other hand, is a lab where experimentation is done through computer modeling/data compilation/machine learning/coding. The majority of labs within the Hillman Academy are wet labs. However, the CoSBBI site is exclusively dry labs and CompBio and Surgery are predominantly dry lab experiences. In fact, scholars accepted into those sites may conduct research that is strictly computational.

How are Scholars Chosen for the Nine Program Sites and what are the differences between them?

Applicants are asked to rank their choices for the six program sites in their application (1 being their first choice progressing to 9, which is their last choice):

Sites of The Hillman Academy

  • Biology and Translational Medicine in Vision (VISION)
  • Cancer Biology (CB)
  • Computational Biology (CompBio)
  • Computer Science, Biology and Biomedical Informatics (CoSBBI)
  • Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy (ICI)
  • Pathobiology (PATH)
  • Surgical (SURGERY)
  • Tech Drive X (TDX)
  • Women’s Cancer Research Center (WCRC)
  • Full details on the sites here.

We make every effort to place accepted scholars in one of their top two program choices based on the merit of their applications. However, placement of scholars in one of their top two site choices is not guaranteed. Each site has their own selection committee and can review applicants by criteria relevant to their labs. 

Where Does The Hillman Academy Take Place?

Programming takes place throughout The University of Pittsburgh main campus. Scholars usually report to their assigned

laboratory sites (addresses included below). There are certain events which involve all Hillman Academy scholars including the Opening Day Orientation, Weekly Keynote Sessions, and the Final Day Talks and Recognition Ceremony. These events are typically held in Pittsburgh’s Shadyside neighborhood. During the summer, scholars will be updated on a regular basis on the locations of upcoming program events.

Site Locations or General Neighborhoods:

  1. Biology and Translational Medicine in Vision (VISION) – UPMC Mercy Pavilion, 1622 Locust St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  2. Cancer Biology (CB) – Hillman Cancer Center, 5115 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15232
  3. Computational Biology (CompBio) – Oakland
  4. Computer Sciences, Biology and Biomedical Informatics (CoSBBI) – Department of Biomedical Informatics, 5607 Baum Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
  5. Immunology and Cancer Immunotherapy (ICI) – The Assembly Building, 5051 Centre Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
  6. Pathobiology (PATH) – Oakland
  7. Surgery – Oakland and UPMC Hospital
  8. Tech Drive-X (TDX) – Bridgeside Point II, 450 Technology Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
  9. Women’s Cancer Research Center (WCRC) – Oakland and Bridgeside Point in South Oakland

Can I attend other programs or classes while at the Hillman Academy?

No, the expectation is that you attend our program full time over the 8 weeks. Students will be expected to work on research up to 37 hours per week and to have that be their priority. We do not recommend doing this program if you already have classes and/or a full wok schedule.

What is the Program Schedule and Attendance Requirements?

Regular programming is held Monday through Friday for all seven to eight weeks of the Hillman Academy.

Scholars are expected to commit to an eight-hour day that generally starts between 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM and concludes between 4:30 PM and 5:00 PM. The start and end times vary by site and by lab.

Scholars are expected to attend the full program. Absences will not be excused unless written notification is submitted to and approved by program management prior or in the case of medical/family emergencies. Attendance for the first two days and last day of the program is mandatory.

Is There a Cost Associated With The Hillman Academy?

There is no cost to attend. Students are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Compensation eligible students receive additional money to purchase lunch. To view the criteria for compensation eligibility, see HERE.

Is This a Paid Internship?

Please refer to the Compensation Page HERE.

Do Students Reside on Campus or Commute Each Day?

Local scholars traditionally commute to campus each day. Scholars may be eligible for free parking based on their site location. Please inquire with program management for further details. There is no on campus housing. If you are unable to commute every day, you should apply for a remote project at the CoSSBI site.

Does UPMC Hillman Provide Transportation to Campus?

All students formally registered in the program will be issued UPMC/Pitt ID badges which will give them access to the UPMC campus shuttles. The Pitt ID’s are proximity badges, not Pitt student ID’s and, therefore, do not qualify for free transportation with the Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT). Compensated students will be given PRT passes. The program faculty and staff do not provide transportation to and from the daily program or weekend activities. Scholars must make personal arrangements for travel.

There is a charter shuttle to take students from the Wednesday keynotes back to their labs

May I Continue to Work in the Lab When the Program is Over?

On occasion, scholars return to conduct research in their respective labs after the summer program is concluded. This is only permissible if both the scholar and the scholar’s hosting lab have agreed to such arrangements and the Hillman Academy program leadership is notified prior to the end of the program. In certain cases, a scholar may be required to complete additional paperwork prior to his or her return to the lab.

What Supplies Should Scholars Bring?

Scholars should bring a notebook or binder, pens, and pencils. Textbooks and other assigned reading materials are provided by the program. Laptops are suggested but not required.

Is There a Dress Code?

Generally, dress is causal unless otherwise noted. For off-site field trips as well as the opening and closing receptions, business casual dress is required unless otherwise noted. Scholars working in wet labs are required to wear closed-toed shoes and pants for lab work.

Do Students Receive Any Form of Identification?

Most scholars will receive, at no charge, UPMC/Pitt ID badges which function as ID and access cards. These badges are temporary and must be returned at the completion of the program. The Pitt ID’s are proximity badges, not Pitt student ID’s and, therefore, do not qualify card holders for free transportation with the Pittsburgh Regional Transit.

What Kinds of Social Events and Activities are Available to Scholars in the Program?

Scholars are encouraged to engage in the rich cultural life of the region during the summer and should plan to participate in organized social activities during Wednesday keynote presentations. We host a weekend event to Kennywood and a picnic.

Who Can People Contact with Questions?

For general questions, please contact the Hillman Academy at Hillman.Academy@pitt.edu. If your child is residing in a University of Pittsburgh residence hall for the summer and you have an emergency, please contact Panther Central at 412.648.1100

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