Specialties & ConditionsCenter for Autonomic MedicineResearch Summer Research Internship
The Center for Autonomic Medicine in Pediatrics (CAMP) is seeking undergraduate/medical students who are interested in learning more about clinical research and autonomic medicine. The internship program is coordinated by the research staff at the Center for Autonomic Medicine in Pediatrics under the direction of Debra Weese-Mayer, MD, and is designed to give students broad exposure to a clinical and research environment. Although the program is unpaid, it offers students a chance to learn more about clinical and research activities.
The program will run from June 2020 to August 2020. Interns will be asked to devote 40 hours per week to ongoing CAMP studies, research team meetings, research program seminars, and educational presentations. Interns will work with the manager to set their weekly schedules.
If you wish to apply to the CAMP Exceptional Student Program 2020, please submit your updated resume/curriculum vitae with a cover letter outlining your interest in our program to CAMP@luriechildrens.org by March 1, 2020 at 5:00PM CST.
For more information about the Exceptional Student Program, please see the Frequently Asked Questions. If your question is not addressed below, please contact CAMP@LurieChildrens.org or 312.227.3300.
What does the application and selection process entail?
Application to this program requires an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae (CV) and a cover letter. Your resume/CV and cover letter should include details about your academic coursework, research experience, volunteer and/or work experience, future goals and your specific interests in our program. The selection process may include a half-hour phone interview with a member of the research team. Final decisions on applicant selection will be made on a rolling basis.
Can I check on my application status?
You will receive a confirmation email when we have received your application materials. We will notify every applicant whether they have been accepted to the program or not.
Is the program open to non-Northwestern students? Is the program open to international students?
Yes.
What are you looking for in prospective interns? How competitive is the selection process?
We are looking for students who have an interest in clinical research and/or pediatric medicine. Students will exhibit strong analytical, problem-solving, and oral and written communication skills. We want students who are able to work well in teams, effectively manage multiple projects and present ideas clearly and concisely. Many of our interns have worked in a professor’s lab or conducted independent study research projects before this program; however, this is not required.
What are the projects on which students will be working? What types of tasks will interns have?
Interns will work on a specific project under the supervision of a member of the research staff, meeting regularly with the principal investigator (PI) and/or research project manager.
In the past, students have had these responsibilities:
What is a typical week for students?
We expect this program to cover all aspects of clinical research. Thus, interns will spend time each week in our offices planning and recruiting for clinical research projects. Students will also spend time conducting the research in the clinic, interacting directly with research participants, patients, and medical staff. Additionally, students will spend time working with research staff to analyze data from the projects and develop abstracts, manuscripts, and presentations of the research. Finally, interns will attend weekly meetings with clinical and research staff and faculty.
Does the program include clinical experience?
The program is clinical research-focused. Some of the student’s activities will be conducting research in the clinic; other activities will be preparing for or analyzing results of this research. In addition, interns will have the opportunity to meet clinicians from various fields and observe patient care.
What is the relationship between the summer program and Northwestern University?
The summer program is completely separate and independent from Northwestern University. However, some faculty members are associated with both the program and Northwestern University.
Does the program take place at the main hospital, research institute, or one of the outpatient locations (Clark/Deming)?
Interns work at the main hospital.
Is housing or a stipend provided?
Unfortunately, we cannot provide interns with housing or a stipend. Some students have applied for grants through their own universities to cover living expenses. There are usually plenty of Northwestern students looking to sublet their apartments over the summer.
I cannot commit to at least 8 weeks or 40 hours/week. May I still apply?
While we usually accept students who can commit to 40 hours/week for 8-10 weeks, we will take into consideration extraneous circumstances.
