Having graduated in May, Corbin Ester has begun working as an intern with the Postbacculaureate Intramural Research Training Award (Postbac IRTA/CRTA) program. Specifically, he will be working in the lab of Dr. Paul S. Meltzer, Chief of the Genetics Branch of the National Cancer Institute, and Head of the Molecular Genetics Section on the intramural campus of the National Institutes of Health, in Bethesda, MD. After working there last summer as part of the NIH Summer Internship Program (NIH SIP), Corbin decided he wanted to spend a year or two working full time in a research lab, so he started the application process and contacted several principal investigators directly. As a result, he was offered several interviews, and ultimately was offered a position in Dr. Meltzer’s lab. Corbin is interested in pursing a career in research medicine. As he explains, “I want to not only be treating the patients, but designing the cures for their ailments in the lab as well. Specifically, my research and clinical interests are focused on childhood cancer. Dr. Meltzer is a leader in genome science as it is applied to cancer research, and he is also a trained pediatric oncologist. To be able to work with him and his team of brilliant scientists and clinicians at the NCI for the next few years is a dream opportunity for an aspiring clinician scientist, and I am honored to have this position.” Corbin hopes to use this opportunity and time to prepare his application for MD/Ph.D. programs, while also gaining invaluable training that is sure to catalyze his future career.
Corbin Ester
