For Engineers & Data Scientists
Your Code Can Help Cure Cancer
Join the Kyra's Hope Fellowship — use your engineering skills to fight pediatric cancer alongside world-class researchers.
Your Work
Real Research. Real Impact.
As a Kyra's Hope Fellow, you'll join a team of 3–5 engineers working directly with a pediatric cancer research lab as part of a Kyra Gupta Research Grant. You'll build the computational tools they need but can't create alone.
Genomic Data Pipelines
Process and analyze RNA sequencing, whole-genome, or multi-omics data from tumor samples
ML Classification Models
Build models to classify tumor subtypes, predict drug response, or identify biomarkers
Drug Screening Analysis
Analyze high-throughput drug screening data to identify combination therapy candidates
Research Dashboards
Build interactive visualization tools for researchers to explore complex datasets
Benefits
More Than Volunteering
Co-Authorship on Publications
Fellows making substantive contributions receive co-authorship on resulting research papers
LinkedIn Fellowship Credential
Official Kyra’s Hope Fellow designation you can display on your professional profile
Real-World Portfolio
Work on actual pediatric cancer research data with tangible, demonstrable outcomes
Research Network
Collaborate directly with PIs and teams at leading children’s hospitals and research institutions
Letters of Recommendation
Foundation and PIs can provide letters documenting your contribution to medical research
Meaningful Impact
Your engineering skills directly contribute to accelerating breakthroughs in pediatric cancer
Commitment
What We're Asking
- •5 hours per week for 6 months
- •Cohort-based with defined start and end dates (not rolling)
- •Weekly async update to your team (3 bullets: done, blocked, next)
- •Participate in Demo Day at the end of the cohort
We designed this to be sustainable alongside a full-time job. Think of it as one focused evening plus some weekend time per week.
Tracks
Two Ways to Contribute
Fellow Track
- •For engineers with 2+ years of experience
- •Light application process
- •Contribute technical skills to a research project
- •5 hrs/week commitment
Tech Lead Track
- •For senior engineers with 5+ years of experience
- •Selective interview process
- •Lead a team of fellows, manage the project, bridge research and engineering
- •5–7 hrs/week commitment
Skills
Skills That Are Most Valuable
Bioinformatics experience is valuable but not required. We'll teach you the domain — you bring the engineering.
FAQ
Common Questions
No, this is a volunteer fellowship. The value is in the credential, co-authorship, portfolio, and the impact you make on pediatric cancer research.
Give 2 weeks notice. Teams are designed to absorb departures gracefully.
You’ll work with de-identified or synthetic data only. No HIPAA concerns.
The foundation assigns fellows to projects based on skills, experience, and project needs.
The foundation handles matching, but we consider your interests and skills when assigning teams.
All cohort teams present their results. It’s a celebration of impact — and great for your portfolio.