What can The Program do for students?

The Student Research Scholar Project (The Program) exists to ensure that high school and college students interested in clinical research will be prepared for whatever project they engage in as volunteers. Volunteering is an important stepping stone for students interested in a career in medicine. It provides exposure to clinical medicine, research and inspiration. With the help of The Program students can be confident that they will develop skills of value to themselves and the healthcare institution. Even students with no prior healthcare or research experience can succeed with the help of The Program. No longer will you be relegated to a “passive bystander” role, or worse, a “time waster” role at busy hospitals and medical practices. With the help of The Program you have the potential to become an important part of a research effort, thus ensuring a mutually beneficial relationship.

We welcome students of any background and encourage them to apply. Our model is designed to train students for longterm success so we ask for a commitment of at least a half year. Students who start in high school can potentially continue their involvement in college or other chosen path. Sustained efforts can be rewarded with mentorship opportunities, research publication and presentation authorship, and more.

Areas that are well-suited for student research scholar participation, and that The Program has expertise and experience in, include:

• Atrial Fibrillation with database work in the TRAC-AF database

• Aortic Valve Disease with database work in the Trans-catheter Valve Registry (TVR)

• Cardiac and thoracic surgery with database work in the Society of Thoracic Surgery (STS) database

Well-suited students are typically intelligent, motivated, hard-working and able to dedicate time to their chosen project.