WVU Immunology and Medical Microbiology student conducts research through SURE

What if the timing of a treatment could change the way cancer responds? That’s the question WVU School of Medicine student Kyle Carpe is hoping to answer.

For the past year, Carpe, a junior in the Immunology and Medical Microbiology program, has been researching whether giving cancer treatment at a specific time of day could better treat breast cancer that has spread to the brain.

Carpe was able to continue this research in William Walker, Ph.D.’s lab through the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (SURE), a competitive research program for WVU students interested in graduate school. Accepted students receive a $5000 stipend and conduct research full-time for two months during the summer.  

"While Kyle may not be far into his career, he's an outstanding student with very a high ability in critical thinking and problem-solving,” Walker said. “He worked in my lab for a year prior to the SURE program, and I’m thankful to have him. Overall, the quality of research we see from undergraduates here at WVU is exceptional. We rely on them heavily within our lab and consider them an integral part of our research team.”

For Carpe, his research is more than just lab work — it’s a chance to apply what he’s learning in the classroom to real-world challenges. He hopes to use the experience he’s gaining to prepare him for his goal of becoming an oncologist and help his future patients.

“My goal is to pursue a career in oncology, and with the consistent rise of immunotherapies for cancer treatment, the IMMB major provides me with a deep and detailed understanding,” said Carpe. “Participating in SURE got me closer to my goal by allowing me to gain hands-on experience researching cancer treatments.”

Originally from Ashburn, Virginia, Carpe was drawn to WVU’s emphasis on community and the value the School of Medicine puts on patients. Carpe said that in his hometown, he was fortunate to have access to large and accessible healthcare networks, and he hopes to contribute to that access for others by ensuring patients have the adequate knowledge, tools, and support that allow them to fully benefit from their care.

“I chose WVU because I knew it was the best choice for me to grow academically and personally,” he said. “I was convinced that this was where I could become the best version of myself. I have always wanted to be able to offer my services to better the community, and I felt that WVU's School of Medicine put a strong emphasis on serving rural and underserved populations.”  

While Carpe found the right fit at WVU, he didn’t originally intend to pursue immunology and medical microbiology. However, upon discovering the major during his freshman year when looking for a path that better fit his pre-med goals, he realized it was the perfect choice.

Carpe points to the program’s small class sizes, close-knit environment and faculty support as key parts of his experience.

“The hands-on experience I’ve gained in the IMMB program is like nothing I would have ever imagined,” Carpe said. “I’ve been taught things that have real-world applications, like working directly with industry-standard tools and technologies and data analysis. Acquiring these skills has helped me easily transition into my research lab because I was provided with an extremely strong foundation.”

The WVU IMMB program is one of only five bachelor’s degree programs in the United States that combine microbiology and immunology, and the only one housed in a school of medicine. Learn more about Immunology and Medical Microbiology at medicine.wvu.edu/immunology-and-medical-microbiology/ or explore associated career pathways at go.health.wvu.edu/pre-health.