The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center is a Seattle-based non-profit research institution that focuses on innovative methods to prevent and cure cancer and other infectious diseases. Known as Fred Hutch for short, it was established in 1975 by Dr. Bill Hutchinson in memory of his brother Fred, a baseball legend who died battling lung cancer. In its decorated history Fred Hutch has pioneered bone marrow transplants and been the recipient of three Nobel prizes in physiology and medicine.
Beyond research, Fred Hutch conducts a variety of educational programs targeted towards high schoolers interested in science. These educational opportunities range from laboratory tours to internships at labs to perform university-level research. To give the Garfield community more information regarding its goals, the president and vice president of Fred Hutch shared their thoughts with The Messenger.
Dr. Thomas Lynch, president and director of the Fred Hutch, described it’s focus on patient care and research. “Fred Hutch is dedicated to doing two big things. One is researching the causes of cancer and viral diseases, and the second is treating patients who have cancer,” Lynch said. The research varies from basic laboratory based science to population and clinical sciences. Lynch stressed that the work Fred Hutch does will stay relevant, adding that, “[thinking] about where the future jobs are going to be…science and healthcare are two of the big areas of innovation.” Lynch made sure to emphasize the fact that biology as a field is expanding and will yield many jobs in the future.
Why should high schoolers be interested in Fred Hutch? According to Lynch, the profound impact biologists can have on others is a huge selling point. Additionally, Lynch highlighted how thrilling it can be to work in the industry. “Being part of the mission of curing cancer and curing viral diseases is really exciting,” Lynch said.
As a world class research institution Fred Hutch conducts many educational programs that offer high schoolers opportunities to learn from and work alongside professionals. “[Our] internship programs help students deepen their research interests,” Dr. Paul Buckley, the chief diversity officer and vice president at Fred Hutch said. “We always want more young people to know about pathways to science.” Buckley described the atmosphere of Fred Hutch as inclusive and diverse, allowing Fred Hutch to be efficient in accomplishing its research goals as well as be an effective space for education. “Diversity allows for a richer, more meaningful engagement by people who are working on the mission. It allows science to be more truthful,” Buckley added.
When asked to give advice to high schoolers interested in a career in science, both Buckley and Lynch incentivized students to reach out to Fred Hutch faculty. “[Be] willing to take a chance, reach out to people, ask questions.” Buckley said.
