Research and Advocacy Fellowship
A one-year program designed for individuals committed to advancing research in rural oncology. This fellowship provides an opportunity to conduct impactful research aimed at addressing cancer disparities in rural communities. Fellows will gain hands-on experience in designing, executing, and disseminating research that can directly influence rural cancer care policies and practices.
-
Primary Focus: Fellows are required to design and complete one major research project during the fellowship. The project should focus on a critical issue in rural oncology, such as access to care, treatment outcomes, health disparities, or the implementation of new technologies in rural settings.
Mentorship: Each fellow will be paired with a mentor from the Rural Cancer Institute who will provide guidance and support throughout the research process. This includes help with project design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation.
-
Fellows must attend monthly meetings organized by the Rural Cancer Institute. These meetings will include seminars on research methodologies, discussions on rural health challenges, and presentations by guest speakers who are leaders in the field. Fellows will also have the opportunity to present their ongoing research for peer review and receive constructive feedback.
-
By the end of the fellowship, participants will have completed a research project that contributes to the understanding of rural cancer care. They will have developed skills in research design, data analysis, and academic writing, positioning them to become leaders in rural health research. The fellowship aims to produce findings that can lead to tangible improvements in cancer care for rural populations.
2027 applications are closed, check back in May 2027 for 2028 applications.
Meet our 2027 Class!
-

Kameron Hahn
D.O. Candidate at Kansas City University- Joplin
-

Madisen Devries
University of Oklahoma School of Community Medicine
-
Sydney Hibbs
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
-

Uma Obalapuram
D.O. Candidate at Kansas City University- Joplin
-

Taylor DeVine
University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine
-

Haya Qaddura
M.D. Candidate at Texas Christian University Anne Burnett Marion School of Medicine
Class of 2026
-

Haley Bell
MPH Candidate at the University of Kansas
-

Marcus Yoakam
D.O. Candidate at Kansas City University
-

Andrew Sheffield
D.O. Candidate at Kansas City University
-

Qays Abu-Saymeh
M.D. Candidate at the University of Kansas
2026 Posters
Our 2026 class of fellows at the 2026 Rural Oncology Conference. Left to right: Andrew Sheffield, Haley Bell, Marcus Yoakam, and Qays Abu-Saymeh.
Class of 2025
-

Brooke Gully
M.D. Candidate at Anne Burnett School of Medicine at TCU
-

Andrew Armstrong
M.D. Candidate at Anne Burnett School of Medicine at TCU
-

Sahil Prakash
M.D. Candidate at Anne Burnett School of Medicine at TCU
-

Sean Kelso
M.D. Candidate at Anne Burnett School of Medicine at TCU
2025 Posters
Our 2025 class of fellows presenting their research. Left to right: Sahil Prakash, Brooke Gully, Andrew Armstrong, and Sean Kelso.