Wilmot Future Deaf Scientists Program

Program Mission

The Wilmot Future Deaf Scientists summer internship program is designed to give high school students who are deaf an introduction to the world of science and medicine, with a particular emphasis on cancer research. The program covers a wide range of topics, including the different types of cancer, how it is diagnosed, treatment methods, and the associated risk factors. The internship includes classroom sessions and shadowing experiences in clinical oncology, surgical oncology, basic science, radiation oncology, and cancer disparities. In addition, deaf students will have the opportunity to interact with several deaf scientists and clinicians during fireside chats, where they can learn from role models and gain insights on how to navigate the academic environment. Our goal is to inspire young students to pursue cancer research and oncology careers, thus increasing the number of deaf trainees in these fields.

Program History

The Future Deaf Scientists program was initiated in 2021 through a joint effort between Wilmot faculty members and the Rochester School for the Deaf leadership team. Since then, the educators have collaboratively refined the program based on their experiences and student feedback. The current program content and structure result from continuous improvement to provide a comprehensive and valuable educational experience for Deaf high school students.