SURF’s Up: Miller School Research Program Attracts Record Number of Applicants
Nearly 300 aspiring biomedical researchers expressed interest in a program that pairs students with Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center faculty in the lab.
The 10-week Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program is shaping the future of biomedical research and medicine, one student at a time.
From May 19 to July 25, 27 undergraduates conducted research alongside Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, researchers and faculty. Through mentorship, hands-on lab experience and professional development, SURF is building a powerful pipeline of future scientific leaders.
“The SURF program is developing the next generation of biomedical leaders and innovative researchers prepared to advance health care and tackle the scientific challenges ahead,” said SURF Program Director Claude-Henry Volmar, Ph.D., director of the research laboratory in the Center for Therapeutic Innovation and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the Miller School.
A Record-Breaking Year
Priyamvada Rai, Ph.D., co-leader of the Tumor Biology Program at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and professor of radiation oncology at the Miller School, began serving as SURF program director in 2017 with just three students. She is concluding her tenure after transforming the program into a nationally recognized success. Thanks to her vision and leadership, SURF has grown exponentially in both scale and prestige. This year’s program received a record-breaking number of applications—nearly 300—from top institutions across the country.
The 2025 cohort included 20 students conducting oncology research through the National Cancer Institute (NCI)-funded Comprehensive Research Experiences to Advance Training and Education (CREATE) program, and seven focusing on non-oncology biomedical research funded by the Office of Graduate Studies. Students explored 12 medical specialties, from bioinformatics to neuroscience.
“SURFers received comprehensive knowledge of the biomedical research landscape that they can apply toward selecting their future educational avenues,” said Dr. Rai.
Inside the Lab and Beyond
SURFers conducted hands-on research and received training in bioinformatics, drug discovery, academic entrepreneurship, clinical trial design and public health. They also participated in career development sessions on scientific writing, critical reading and research ethics. During the final week, students showcased their work in both poster and oral presentations, answering questions from judges, faculty and peers.
“By the end of the program, they’re analyzing complex research, proposing follow-up experiments and mastering techniques like neuron culture and cancer drug testing,” said Dr. Volmar, co-principal investigator for CREATE.
Students also visited the High-Throughput Molecular Screening Center at the Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute and explored artificial intelligence and robotics in drug discovery. SURF alumni, now thriving in graduate programs, returned as mentors, reinforcing the program’s enduring impact.
Looking ahead, SURF plans to expand its bioinformatics bootcamp, strengthen entrepreneurship training and offer tailored guidance for graduate school personal statements.
A Launchpad for Future Scientists
With more than 150 alumni, SURF has become a launchpad for future scientists, physician-researchers and STEM leaders. Many are now pursuing advanced degrees at top-tier institutions.
“SURF is a critical investment in the future of STEM,” said Dr. Rai, principal investigator for CREATE. “We’re seeing the pipeline flourish, with alumni entering prestigious Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. and M.D. programs, including here at the Miller School.”
Mentorship often extends well beyond summer, helping students transition into graduate studies and impactful careers.
Mia Zaben, a rising junior at Michigan State University, is majoring in neuroscience and biochemistry.
Working with Sara St. George, Ph.D., Sylvester researcher and associate professor of public health sciences at the Miller School, she developed community-tailored wellness interventions for susceptible families using a mobile app. This experience reshaped her view of science, demonstrating how science and culture are connected.
“Science isn’t just labs and white coats,” Zaben said. “It is a powerful tool for real-world change.”
Zaben plans to become a physician-scientist focused on neurological disorders, blending research, advocacy and global health.
“I want to help shape a health care system that listens, adapts and truly reflects the people it serves,” she said.
Donnell Greene, a rising pre-med junior at New York University, joined SURF to explore how research can drive public health change.
Under the mentorship of Sylvester researcher Kerry Burnstein, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology at the Miller School, Greene investigated KIF20A protein expression in prostate cancer cell lines. The disease has disproportionately higher incidence and mortality rates in Sylvester’s South Florida catchment area.
“The work showed me how science can drive public health solutions,” said Greene.
His SURF experience deepened his commitment to cancer research as a vehicle for both scientific advancement and better outcomes for all populations.
“Cancer research is more than the bench,” said Greene. “It’s about solving public health problems that impact real lives and making science matter.”
Tags: CREATE, Dr. Claude-Henry Volmar, Dr. Priyamvada Rai, medical education, Office of Graduate Studies, student research, Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship, SURF fellowship, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center