overview
The MC3 Institute offers a Clinical Research Fellowship for medical students and early-career physicians, providing experience in dermatology and oncology with involvement in MCC translational research.
Clinical research fellows have been an enormously beneficial addition to our staff team. Clinical research fellows respond to patients’ questions, needs and concerns throughout the difficult journey of diagnosis, referral to Seattle (some travel a very long way), and treatment.
In a typical week, fellows will see 8-10 patients in clinic, present 4-8 patient cases at a tumor board discussion, and manage 300-400 messages regarding patient care. Fellows also participate in novel research, helping bridge the gap between science and medical care.
Fellows work with Dr. Paul Nghiem and other MCC providers for 1-2 years. We typically recruit for this position in the fall for a summer start. This is a paid position is fully supported by generous donors.
This is a paid position that is fully supported by generous donors. If you would like to support our Clinical Research Fellows directly, please contact Megan Little, Director of Philanthropic Gifts, at mlittle2@fredhutch.org or 206.667.5799.
Details:
- Two full-time, paid positions based in Seattle
- Duration: 1-2 years
- Eligibility: Medical students (must have completed 3rd year of medical school) and early-career physicians
- The Clinical Research Fellowship program is not currently accepting applications for the 2026 cycle.
Contact
Krista Lachance, Director of People & Programs
mc3institute@uw.edu
current fellows
Ben Gratz
June 2026-Present
June 2026-Present
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Washington, D.C.
What is your previous work and education experience?
I am a medical student at the Georgetown University School of Medicine. Before medical school, I earned my bachelor's degree in biochemistry from Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore. I have conducted immunology research at Benaroya Research Institute in Seattle and worked as a medical assistant in a dermatology clinic in Washington D.C.
What areas of research are you most interested in learning more about?
I am most interested in learning about cutting-edge clinical research that provides more accurate expectations for patients and physicians regarding recurrence risk and clinical outcomes. The research conducted at MC3 is invaluable for informing clinical practice for teams around the world and I look forward to being a part of that.
What skills do you hope to gain in this position?
I hope to gain more experience in connecting clinical questions and research to clinical practice. Questions that come up on how to best manage MCC are often answered at this institute, and learning how to identify and respond to the most pressing questions will be invaluable in caring for patients throughout my career.
What do you like to do in your free time
I love reading, running, and traveling! Last year, I was able to raise over $2,000 for dermatologic research by running the Chicago Marathon! My favorite travel experience has been exploring the desert in Morocco by camel. I'm excited to do more hiking and whale watching in Seattle.
Jack Kollings
June 2026-Present
June 2026-Present
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Phoenix, Arizona
What is your previous work and education experience?
What is your previous work and education experience?What is your previous work and education experience?
What is your previous work and education experience?
I am a medical student at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine between my third and fourth year. My work there has mostly been in the basic sciences, using in vitro and in vivo murine melanoma models to study how local polymeric nanoparticle gene delivery can reprogram the tumor microenvironment and push tumor cells toward more immunostimulatory and antigen-presenting phenotypes. I have used approaches including flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and spatial immunofluorescence to better understand these responses. I have also been exploring related questions in Merkel cell carcinoma cells, specifically whether antigen processing and presentation pathways can be reprogrammed to restore tumor immunogenicity and improve immune recognition.
What areas of research are you most interested in learning more about?
What areas of research are you most interested in learning more about?
I am most interested in research that connects the biology of Merkel cell carcinoma to what actually happens for patients. I want to learn more about how the differences between virus-positive and virus-negative MCC affect outcomes and response to immunotherapy. I am also interested in ctDNA, clinical trials, and how multidisciplinary teams define response and personalize care for patients with rare skin cancers. I am especially interested in how AI and large language models could be used responsibly to better understand patient outcomes, treatment response, and patterns in complex clinical data.
What skills do you hope to gain in this position?
What skills do you hope to gain in this position?
I hope to get much better at being part of the day-to-day care of patients with this rare cancer. I want to learn how to support patients and families through their diagnosis and treatment, and how a multidisciplinary team thinks through complex cases together. I am also excited to see how real-time breakthroughs in disease understanding and management are actively integrated into patient care. More broadly, I see this as an opportunity to grow not only in clinical and translational research, but also as a more thoughtful future physician who understands how all the pieces of a patient’s care come together. Finally, I hope to expand and connect my background in skin cancer biology and immunotherapy with clinical and translational research at the best team and institute in the world for this particular disease.
What do you like to do in your free time?
What do you like to do in your free time?
In my free time, I like staying active and being outdoors as much as I can. I was on the rowing team during my undergrad at Arizona State University, and I still lift, hike, and snowboard whenever I have the opportunity. Some of my favorite hikes have been in Arizona’s Superstition Mountains and around Mount Humphreys, as well as in the Blue Ridge Mountains out east, so I am excited to explore the outdoor scene in the Pacific Northwest. On a rainy day, I enjoy good sci-fi and recently finished The Expanse. I also enjoy trying new food spots with friends and getting to know whatever neighborhood I am living in.
past Fellows
Nicki Bouché
June 2025–June 2026
Peter Ch’en
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Brier, WA
What is your previous work and education experience?
What is your previous work and education experience?What is your previous work and education experience?
What is your previous work and education experience?
I earned my bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Puget Sound, after which I spent a year teaching English in Normandy, France. Upon returning to the US, I worked for two years as a medical assistant in dermatology before beginning medical school at the Washington State University Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. I'm currently taking a gap year between my third and fourth year to focus on clinical research here at the University of Washington.
What areas of research are you most interested in learning more about?
What areas of research are you most interested in learning more about?
I'm especially interested in learning more about translational research in oncology — specifically how lab discoveries are brought into clinical trials and, ultimately, to meaningful improvements in patient care. I’m also excited to deepen my understanding of Merkel cell carcinoma and to contribute to ongoing efforts to improve diagnostics, treatment strategies, and long-term outcomes for patients.
What skills do you hope to gain in this position?
What skills do you hope to gain in this position?
I’m hoping to gain more experience at the intersection of clinical research and direct patient care — learning how research can guide treatment decisions and improve outcomes. I see this as an opportunity not only to grow my skills in research and teamwork, but also to become a more thoughtful, well-rounded physician and future leader. It’s a great chance to learn from a fantastic team and see how all the pieces come together behind the scenes.
What do you like to do in your free time?
What do you like to do in your free time?
Outside of work, I love playing tennis or pickleball, going for a hike, or scuba diving whenever I get the chance. Also love just being cozy with my cat and a good book.
Victoria Wilk, MS
June 2025–June 2026
Peter Ch’en
Pronouns: she/her
Hometown: Moscow, Idaho
What is your previous work and education experience?
What is your previous work and education experience?What is your previous work and education experience?
What is your previous work and education experience?
I've previously worked as an EMT, a phlebotomist, a research technician, and finished a master's degree in Food and Consumer Sciences at the University of Idaho.
What areas of research are you most interested in learning more about?
What areas of research are you most interested in learning more about?
I am interested in researching more about the gut microbiome, dermatopathology, quality improvement, and the role of nutrition in immune health.
What skills do you hope to gain in this position?
What skills do you hope to gain in this position?
This year, I'll be focusing on learning how to build systematic efficiency, statistical analysis, and furthering my skills in communication and patient care.
What do you like to do in your free time?
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love trying new things - especially recommendations! I stay active with volleyball, tennis, and play-fighting with my husky (it's very hard work). Recently I've loved baking and cake decorating and am always on the lookout for new recipes and baking tips.
Peter Ch’en
Peter Ch’en
June 2024–May 2025
Peter Ch’en
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Redmond, WA
Undergraduate: University of Washington (Seattle, WA), Major in Microbiology
Medical School: Albert Einstein College of Medicine (Bronx, NY)
Research Experience: Research during medical school focused on hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, through the Montefiore Einstein Division of Dermatology with Steven R. Cohen, MD, MPH. Has published various articles on a diverse range of topics in dermatology.
Clinical & Research Interests: Cutaneous oncology, Merkel cell carcinoma, hidradenitis suppurativa, medical education, public health
Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship with the MC3 Institute?
Learning from one of the world experts in Merkel cell carcinoma isn’t something many people can say. I had heard about Dr. Nghiem’s work even as a pre-med student at UW and knew that his lab was the epitome of translating research into clinical practice. Having gained the scientific background and establishing the foundational clinical skills in medical school, combined with a strong interest in dermatology and skin cancer, I knew that spending a year as a clinical research fellow with Dr. Nghiem would help me grow exponentially as a clinician for the benefit of my future patients. Furthermore, being able to learn the ins and outs of this disease from the expert himself is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
What do you hope to gain from your experience in the MC3 Institute?
I hope to greatly expand my knowledge of treating and caring for patients with Merkel cell carcinoma, and to improve my skills as a clinician. I also look forward to closely collaborating with lab members on discovering cutting-edge approaches to treating Merkel cell carcinoma and learning from their years of expertise.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
I love finding new hikes in the PNW, exploring (and eating my way through) new travel destinations, working out, photography, and volunteering as a crisis counselor at the Trevor Project supporting LGBTQ+ youth. My latest discovery that’s got me hooked: pickleball.
Ariel Finberg, MD
July 2023–May 2025
Pronouns: he/him
Hometown: Kula, Hawaii
Undergraduate: University of Hawaii – BS in Microbiology
Medical School: University of Virginia
Additional Training: Preliminary Medicine Year at Virginia Mason Medical Center
Research Experience: Research Fellow to Dr. Adrien Eshraghi; Led a project on preventing noise induced hearing loss in rats, Co-authored numerous publications regarding cochlear implantation, tinnitus and hearing loss
Clinical & Research Interests: Cutaneous Oncology, Interactions between the immune system and malignancy
Why did you choose to pursue a fellowship with the MC3 Institute?
With my background in Microbiology, I found the topic of oncogenic viruses to be fascinating. My roommate in medical school was an undergraduate in the Nghiem lab and he was the first to introduce me to Merkel cell carcinoma. During my time in medical school, I continued to learn about the disease and became more interested in the idea of setting aside time to pursue research in oncology. After matching in Seattle for my intern year, I was excited to be in the same city as Dr. Nghiem and applied for the fellowship.
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Being from Hawaii, I have always loved spending time in the water doing activities such as going out on a stand-up paddle, free diving, cliff jumping, and body surfing. I also love hiking and have started to cycle more. I’m always excited to play tennis, soccer and most recently Spikeball. I love to cook and am always looking for inspiration.