Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Many pediatric cancers are characterized by genomic rearrangements (also known as structural variants), such as gene fusions, deletions, duplications, and inversions. Research has shown that many individual structural variants are important to oncogenesis in pediatric cancer, while others are likely to be passenger events. However, there has been limited work to evaluate structural variant patterns more globally in pediatric cancer, and how these patterns can be used for more informed risk stratification and treatment. Therefore, we are undertaking a systematic evaluation of structural variant patterns across pediatric cancer subtypes. We are looking for a medical student to work with on this translational project that has the potential to have high clinical relevance. The student would play a significant role in: -Whole-genome sequencing analysis of pediatric cancer genomes -Data analysis for identification of genomic patterns and association with clinical variables -Synthesis of findings into a publication We work in a collaborative and supportive environment that bridges computational biology and pediatric oncology. Prior experience programming in R or Python is welcome, but not essential if students are interested in this work and willing to learn!