More than 50 students will spend the summer conducting research and receiving mentorship from Regenstrief Institute faculty. Because of restrictions related to COVID-19, the summer programs will occur on a virtual platform.
Going into the summer of 2020, students faced a significant decrease in research opportunities because many labs shut down, some colleges and universities canceled internships, and many physician-scientist mentors are filling essential roles in the clinic to care for COVID-19 patients. Regenstrief faculty stepped up to create more opportunities for the next generation of scientists and leaders.
The 2020 summer cohort includes, among others:
- 27 first year medical students participating in the Indiana University Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS).
- Six high schoolers and one undergraduate from Project SEED/STEM, a program established in 1968 by the American Chemical Society to encourage students, including those historically underrepresented in STEM, to explore a career in science.
Each student will work closely with one of 25 Regenstrief research scientists in informatics, health services and aging research. Many of their projects will focus on COVID-19. They also will receive other learning opportunities, including a lecture series featuring preeminent IU School of Medicine faculty, a multi-session webinar series introducing qualitative research methodology taught by Regenstrief faculty and faculty-led training in scientific writing.
“The virtual aspect of this summer session is certainly different than previous years, but the content and curriculum is equally rich and engaging,” said Lori Losee, M.A., director of operations for Regenstrief’s William M. Tierney Center for Health Services Research. “Providing this valuable experience to students hopefully instills in them an understanding and passion for research and reinforces Regenstrief’s commitment to educational outreach and mentoring. Our faculty, staff and partners have all stepped up to make this possible.”
“Welcoming Project SEED/STEM students into the 2020 Regenstrief Summer Research Experience signals the growing importance of introducing the sciences, particularly the data-driven science necessary to improve healthcare and change health policy,” adds Eneida Mendonca, M.D., PhD, Regenstrief vice president for research development and interim director of the Clem McDonald Center for Biomedical Informatics.
At the end of the summer session, students will be given the option to present their research during a virtual webinar.
In addition to the IU School of Medicine, students are from IUPUI, IU-Bloomington, Marian University, DePauw University, University of Dayton, Butler University, Hanover College, University of Southern Indiana, Purdue University, Case Western Reserve University, University High School in Carmel, Indiana, Eman School in Fishers, Indiana, and Carmel, Avon, and Zionsville high schools.
About Regenstrief Institute
Founded in 1969 in Indianapolis, the Regenstrief Institute is a local, national and global leader dedicated to a world where better information empowers people to end disease and realize true health. A key research partner to Indiana University, Regenstrief and its research scientists are responsible for a growing number of major healthcare innovations and studies. Examples range from the development of global health information technology standards that enable the use and interoperability of electronic health records to improving patient-physician communications, to creating models of care that inform practice and improve the lives of patients around the globe.
Regenstrief Institute is celebrating 50 years of healthcare innovation. Sam Regenstrief, a successful entrepreneur from Connersville, Indiana, founded the institute with the goal of making healthcare more efficient and accessible for everyone. His vision continues to guide the institute’s research mission.
