Winn CIPP 2025: Empowering Future Clinical Researchers for Health Equity
The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) Launches Fourth Cohort
The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP), a national initiative led by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, has officially commenced its fourth annual cohort, taking place in summer 2025. This year, 66 exceptional medical students from across the U.S. have begun externships at premier clinical research sites nationwide, united in their dedication to the Winn Awards’ mission of “Better Science For All.”
About the Program
Winn CIPP is a highly regarded six-week summer program designed to spark interest in community-focused clinical research among outstanding medical students. Participants gain hands-on experience at leading research institutions, engage in service-learning projects with tangible community impact, and build the foundational skills needed to become future clinical investigators.
The program concludes with a July Symposium in Seattle at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, featuring workshops, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing among peers and experts.
Part of a Larger Initiative
Winn CIPP is one component of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, a national effort spearheaded by Dr. Robert A. Winn and supported by the Medical College of Virginia Foundation (MCV Foundation). Its mission is clear: increase diversity and participation in clinical trials to improve health outcomes and save more lives.
Built on the principle that all communities deserve access to clinical research and cutting-edge care, Winn CIPP equips future physicians with the tools and insight to ensure that clinical trials represent everyone and that treatments developed are safe, effective, and accessible to all patients.
Mentorship at Leading Institutions
Students in the program receive guidance from expert mentors at some of the most prestigious clinical and translational research centers in the country, including:
The Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP), a national initiative led by VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center, has officially commenced its fourth annual cohort, taking place in summer 2025. This year, 66 exceptional medical students from across the U.S. have begun externships at premier clinical research sites nationwide, united in their dedication to the Winn Awards’ mission of “Better Science For All.”
About the Program
Winn CIPP is a highly regarded six-week summer program designed to spark interest in community-focused clinical research among outstanding medical students. Participants gain hands-on experience at leading research institutions, engage in service-learning projects with tangible community impact, and build the foundational skills needed to become future clinical investigators.
The program concludes with a July Symposium in Seattle at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, featuring workshops, educational sessions, networking opportunities, and knowledge-sharing among peers and experts.
Part of a Larger Initiative
Winn CIPP is one component of the Robert A. Winn Excellence in Clinical Trials Award Program, a national effort spearheaded by Dr. Robert A. Winn and supported by the Medical College of Virginia Foundation (MCV Foundation). Its mission is clear: increase diversity and participation in clinical trials to improve health outcomes and save more lives.
Built on the principle that all communities deserve access to clinical research and cutting-edge care, Winn CIPP equips future physicians with the tools and insight to ensure that clinical trials represent everyone and that treatments developed are safe, effective, and accessible to all patients.
Mentorship at Leading Institutions
Students in the program receive guidance from expert mentors at some of the most prestigious clinical and translational research centers in the country, including:
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- LSU Health Sciences Center
- Mays Cancer Center at UT Health San Antonio
- The Tisch Cancer Institute at Mount Sinai
- NYU Langone Health Clinical Research Center
- Rush University Heart Center
- St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
- UCLA CTSI at the Lundquist Institute
- UCLA CTSI (Westwood)
- University of Arizona Comprehensive Cancer Center
- University of Illinois Cancer Center
- University of Louisville
- VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center
- Wake Forest University School of Medicine
- Weill Cornell Clinical and Translational Science Center
Commitment and Collaboration
At the program’s virtual kickoff, Dr. Robert A. Winn emphasized the importance of community engagement in research—not just for broader applicability but also to ensure equitable access to innovative treatments.
“The world needs researchers committed to bringing new therapies to every community,” Dr. Winn stated. “That’s how we ensure treatments work safely for everyone.”
Representatives from major supporters, including the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation (founding partner), Gilead Sciences, and Amgen, echoed this sentiment, urging students to stay focused and inspired.
Keynote speaker Dr. Brian Rivers, Director of the Cancer Health Equity Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, highlighted persistent gaps in healthcare and stressed the need for researcher-community partnerships to bridge these divides.
Catharine Grimes, President of the Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, summarized the urgency:
“Ensuring clinical trials reflect the populations impacted by disease isn’t just good science—it’s about making sure progress benefits everyone.”
Leaders from Gilead Sciences and Amgen also reinforced the collaborative nature of the initiative, emphasizing partnerships, inclusivity, and the shared responsibility to drive change in clinical research.
Introducing the 2025 Winn CIPP Cohort
This year’s 66 awardees, representing medical schools across the nation, have been matched with program funders including Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation, Gilead Sciences, and Amgen.
Poised to lead the future of clinical research, these students are working to ensure that tomorrow’s treatments are developed with—and for—the communities they aim to serve.
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