Research Visiting Professional Program

Research Intern

A Research Intern is a student in a relevant degree-granting program OR an individual seeking unpaid educational and experiential research opportunities who is mentored by an associate or member of the medical staff at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County. Hourly requirements may vary by research team and, for those receiving course credit, specific course requirements; however, Research Interns typically engage in training for an average of four hours per week. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis.

Examples of Research Interns who are in degree-granting programs are provided below for reference:

Graduate Students. Students in degree-granting graduate programs (MA, MS, MBA, MPH, MSN PhD, PharmD, DPT, DrPH, DNP, MD, etc.) who are receiving course credit for research activities performed under the direction of an associate or medical staff member at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County. Examples of research performed by past graduate students include:

• Case review study on patients with a specific disease process; retrospective chart review studies (where pre-existing patients medical records are examined to answer questions); and prospective cross-sectional studies (where data is captured from a specific population at a single point in time)
• Master’s student completing a practicum, capstone, or dissertation project
• Medical Student Research Program (MSRP-UCI Medical students only) where students work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to develop a project resulting in an abstract, poster, or publication

Undergraduate Students. Students in degree-granting graduate programs (AA, BS, BA) who are receiving course credit for research activities performed under the direction of an associate or medical staff member at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County. Examples of research performed by non-clinical research interns can include but are not limited to:

• Emergency Department (ED): The ED works with undergraduates from UCI enrolled in the Bio 199 program (CHOC EMED Research). Students screen and enroll patients into research studies for 10-12 hours/week, depending on course credits.
• Oncology: There is a spectrum of research studies conducted within the Hyundai Cancer Institute at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County, including projects designed to examine the basic mechanism of action of an intervention, services research, supportive care and treatment. Through the Visiting Research Professional Program, students often facilitate study conduct through data abstraction, research chart management, coordination and processing of biological specimens, and preparation of materials (including graphics) for publication.
• Biostatistics: Students with an interest in biostatistics have a chance to train with and be mentored by experienced biostatisticians engaged in the latest pediatric research. Students gain practical hands-on experience with hypothesis development and research design; Frequentist and Bayesian data analysis; consulting, communication and collaboration with research investigators; as well as drafting study protocols and manuscripts.
• Basic/Lab Bench Research: Students with an interest in basic science or laboratory-based research also have a chance to get involved in the latest pediatric research. Students will gain practical, hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology, participate in molecular and biochemical analyses, and improve scientific writing and literature review skills.

Visiting Scientist

A visiting scientist is a researcher, investigator, or scientist conducting independent research in collaboration with or under the mentorship of an associate or medical staff member at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County. A visiting scientist, provided they also meet other requirements as defined by policy, may serve as Principal Investigator for research studies conducted at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County.

Affiliated Staff

Affiliated staff members include people employed by a partner institution who may need to carry out specific research tasks at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County. Examples include:

• Lab team member at Chapman University who is engaged in a specific project/process to serve as a liaison between institutions.
• Postdoctoral fellows through a university who are working under the direction of a Principal Investigator at one or both institutions and need access to facilities and/or patients at Rady Children’s Health in Orange County.
• UCI team member (research assistant, clinical research coordinator) participating in a research study with Rady Children’s Health in Orange County as an enrolling site, who requires access to facilities and/or patients for recruitment.