Summer Undergraduate Research Opportunities at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health

 The Biostatistics Epidemiology Summer Training (BEST) Diversity Program was established to expand and diversify the behavioral and biomedical sciences’ workforce by introducing undergraduates from underrepresented populations to biostatistics and cardiovascular and pulmonary disease research. Students representing racial and ethnic minority groups, disadvantaged backgrounds, and students with disabilities join the Department of Biostatistics at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health’s for eight weeks of research, training, academic and career planning, and social activities around New York City. Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are eligible for this program. 

The summer 2022 program is planned to be in-person.  However, we will closely monitor covid-19 cases leading up to the start of the program and assess whether the program will be in-person or remote. 

Interested students can find more program details, including  the application process, at our website. Some important dates that they should keep in mind:

Application deadline: March 15 (Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, with higher priority given to earlier applications)

2022 BEST Program date: June 6 - July 29, 2022 

*NEW PROGRAM* The Summer Institute for Training in Biostatistics and Data Science at Columbia (SIBDS@Columbia) is an innovative seven-week summer research training program at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.  Program participants acquire and hone quantitative skills anchored on data immersion related to research challenges in studies of heart and lung diseases as well as infectious diseases. The seven weeks include a one-week asynchronous component during which participants will receive an introduction to biostatistics and data science as well as training on RStudio and other software. Rising juniors and seniors are eligible for this program. 

The summer 2022 program is planned to be in-person.  However, we will closely monitor covid-19 cases leading up to the start of the program and assess whether the program will be in-person or remote. 

Interested students can find more program details, including  the application process, at our website. Some important dates that they should keep in mind:

Application deadline: February 25 (Applications are evaluated on a rolling basis, with higher priority given to earlier applications)

2022 Program date: May 31 - July 15, 2022

If you have any questions about SIBDS or BEST, please contact: Justine Herrera, jh2477@cumc.columbia.edu.

Job Opportunity: Postbac Researcher, UNC Chapel Hill

We are seeking up to 2 post-baccalaureate researchers in the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at UNC Chapel Hill to join the WiFI initiative (www.wifi-initiative.org) studying the role of technology and social media on adolescent development. We specifically are looking for BA-level researchers with skills in recruitment, screening, and data collection with adolescent participants and their families who wishes to gain more experience in research for graduate school. The researcher would work on a unique dataset that combines theories and methods in developmental psychology (longitudinal fMRI data), social psychology (emotional processing, social interactions), and health behaviors (health risk behaviors, internalizing and externalizing disorders). Experience with fMRI acquisition, managing and processing fMRI data, computer science and coding, experience with social or developmental neuroscience methods, and an interest in adolescent interpersonal experiences, psychological symptoms, emotion, or risk behaviors is a plus. The applicant must have a BA in Psychology, Neuroscience, or related field by the time the position begins. The position also includes opportunities for professional development and unique interdisciplinary training that will be useful for a variety of academic career paths. Positions begin Summer 2022. Interested applicants should send a CV and cover letter to Zelal Kilic Zelal@unc.edu

CUIMC 6th Annual Department of Pediatrics Celebration of Diversity and Inclusion Symposium

Job Opportunity: Clinical Research Coordinator, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School

Clinical Research Coordinator positions at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School

The focus of our research is on self-injury and depression among youth. We are currently looking to hire one to two full-time clinical research coordinators to assist with NIMH-and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention-funded studies aimed at improving short-term risk prediction for suicidal behavior in adolescents. Studies assessing proximal risk for suicidal behavior use computational methods to model neurocognitive markers and/or ambulatory indices (i.e., mobile technology including actigraphy, passive sensing of physiological arousal, passive sensing of social engagement and physical activity, and ecological momentary assessment) in psychiatrically hospitalized youth (see RF1MH120830, R01MH124899, R01MH115905, K23MH126168). Additional studies focus on employing computer vision to identify visual indicators of suicide risk among adolescents (R21MH127231, YIG-1-020-20). Research coordinators will work under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Liu and Dr. Taylor Burke at Massachusetts General Hospital. These positions are particularly well suited for individuals seeking to gain research and clinical experience prior to graduate or medical school.

Duties & Responsibilities:
Responsibilities will include: data collection and management; clinical interviewing; participant recruitment, retention, and reimbursement; interfacing with the hospital clinical staff and participants recruited from the adolescent inpatient units; supervision of undergraduate volunteers; literature reviews; and IRB submissions and modifications. There may be opportunities to conduct independent research, submit presentations to national conferences, and prepare manuscripts for publication.

Qualifications:
Qualified applicants must have a bachelor's degree, strong writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills, and be able to work autonomously as well within a collaborative team environment. Experience with data management and statistical software (e.g., SPSS, REDCap, Mplus, R) and with writing scripts in E-Prime and Python are preferred but not required. Psychology, sociology, and premed majors are encouraged to apply, but all are welcome. Prior research, particularly independent research projects, or clinical experience is strongly recommended.

Application information:
The start date is Summer 2022. Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and CV to MGHmoodandbehaviorlab@gmail.com. Any questions regarding these positions may be directed to Rachel Levin at MGHmoodandbehaviorlab@gmail.com.

Candidates from underrepresented backgrounds are particularly encouraged to apply. There may be unique training and development opportunities available to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds within our group.

Cambridge Coaching MCAT Webinar: Translational Motion

It's a weekly live webinar about a high yield MCAT topic. It's short, sweet, and packed with valuable insight into both the topic at hand and how it's tested on the MCAT. While we are in the process of developing these materials, we are offering the webinar for free. Consider yourself a pilot student for a future Cambridge Coaching MCAT course, or textbook, or self-study platform (only the future can tell). All we ask in exchange is that you keep coming, participate in Q & A, share your feedback, and let friends know about this resource. This webinar's topic will be Translational Motion, and will take place Friday February 4 at 1pm EST. 

Register for this week's webinar here.

Registration Open: Columbia Virtual Medical School Fair

Registration is now open for the 2022 virtual Columbia Medical School Fair. We very much look forward to bringing information about some of the top medical schools in the US to students wherever they may be. 

A total of seven events will take place between 11am and 1pm ET on the following dates. These weekend sessions will allow students to learn about a total of 24 top institutions and to hear from specialists on topics of importance in the school selection process.

Sat, February 5th, 2022 - Welcome Event and School Fit Panel Discussion

Sat, February 12th, 2022 - Information Sessions from Five (5) Medical Schools

Sat, February 19th, 2022 - Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) School Panel

Sat, February 26th, 2022 - Information Sessions from Five (5) Medical Schools

Sat, March 5th, 2022 - Information Sessions from Five (5) Medical Schools

Sat, March 26th, 2022 - Information Sessions from Five (5) Medical Schools

Sat, April 2nd, 2022 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Medical Education Panel and Fair Close

CU Pre-Veterinary Society General Body Meeting

The CU Pre-Veterinary Society will be holding the first general body meeting of the semester on Tuesday, February 1 at 8pm on Zoom. We'll be discussing this semester's events and activities, and we're excited to meet and get to know other pre-vet students. Please feel free to email us (cuprevet@gmail.com) if this time doesn't work for you so we can incorporate your input while planning events.

Zoom link: https://columbiauniversity.zoom.us/j/94010301545?pwd=UXFXTUszV1E5RnQwalNwMFZ2aG5VZz09

Passcode: prevet