Purpose
The Cardiopulmonary Research Science & Technology Institute (CRSTI) Student Intern Program is designed to introduce college students to the medical research environment. The program l includes concepts and applications of clinical research, basic scientific principles, clinical outcomes, data collection and management, medical education and training programs, and the administrative support of these activities relative to a medical research organization. Interns are given a research project, assigned at the beginning of the internship, with work continuing throughout the program. Projects involve data collection, critical thinking, analysis and a written abstract. CRSTI physicians are recognized nationally and internationally as pioneers in the field of cardiovascular medicine.

Method
During the ten week program (May 25– July 31) students will rotate through several areas of concentration within the medical research environment. Rotations are staggered and students follow an individualized rotation schedule including each of the following components:

One week is spent introducing the student to the fundamentals of clinical research including research design and good clinical practices. Students will learn to conduct background and literature searches into their project and become more familiar with the disease state being studied and methods of clinical research.

Three weeks are spent observing Clinical Research. They will follow the course of a research study gaining experience in patient screening and enrollment, study randomizations, and patient follow-ups. Students will learn about institutional review boards, consent forms, protocol development, and clinical research design.

Two weeks are spent in learning the fundamentals of data collection, data entry, analysis, and statistical review that are utilized for improving the delivery of patient care. Students will learn data element definitions as well as participate in database queries and reporting. CRSTI is nationally recognized as a pioneer in the advancement of clinical quality and research outcomes.

One week is spent in concentrated clinical experience, shadowing several different physicians and health care professionals. Shadowing opportunities include: cardiac surgeons, thoracic surgeons, non-invasive cardiologist, anesthesiologist, or physician assistant, cardiac catherization laboratory, and emergency room. Students may also create an alternative shadow experience based on their special interest at the time of the program.

Finally, three weeks are dedicated to the completion of the individual research project. Interns are given a research project, assigned at the beginning of the internship, with work continuing throughout the program. Projects involve data collection, critical thinking, analysis and a written abstract. Findings and abstract are presented through an oral and written presentation to the research group at the conclusion of the program.

The Internship Program is conducted at the CRSTI office in Dallas, Texas.
CRSTI
7777 Forest Lane C-742
Dallas, Texas 75230

Intern Hours will be from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday through Friday. However, hours may be modified at the discretion of the Intern Coordinator to accommodate meetings, surgeries, etc. Surgical procedures are observed throughout the 10 week program based on scheduling and patient consent.

Housing and Transportation
Housing and Transportation are the responsibility of the Intern.

Qualifications
Students must posses a minimum grade point average of 3.2 (4.0 scale), an interest in medicine and research, and commit to the Internship schedule. Applicants must be college students (undergraduate any level) or medical school students at the time of application. Applications from international students currently enrolled in US educational institutions are accepted with a valid student visa.

Application Process
Applications will be accepted from Janaury 15 – January 30, 2009. All applications must be complete and received in the CRSTI office by 5:00 pm, January 30. Late or incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Applicants must provide the following:

• Typed, double-spaced essay, 3-5 pages in length:
  The essay should address why the student is interested in the medical field, what qualities/experiences would make them a good intern candidate, and what they hope to gain/accomplish from this experience.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one letter should be from a teacher, professor, or advisor). Letters should be sealed and signed across the flap.
• Transcript
• Application
  Download the application in Adobe Acrobat format here.

Select candidates will be interviewed in February.
Interviews are conducted in person or via telephone during CRSTI business hours (CST).
Candidates will be notified of their status by March 6, 2009.
Completed applications should be mailed to:

CRSTI
Intern Program Director
7777 Forest Lane C-742
Dallas, Texas 75230

Stipend
Interns will receive a certification of program completion and a stipend of $3000 upon successful completion of the program. Students who do not complete the entire rotation will receive a proportionate share of the stipend based on the completed portion of the program.

Students wishing to participate in the program for course credit may do so and waive their stipend. The Intern Program Coordinator will work with the student’s college professor or academic advisor to determine course credits.


Research Project Details
Interns are matched to a physician mentor, staff mentor and a research project based on ability, maturity and level of education. Interns are responsible for completing the project during the ten week program. Projects are selected based on several criteria including the ability of the question to be answered in ten weeks; the relevance of the question, and the impact the research question has on current practice and the likelihood of patient outcome improvement. Although students have access to both a physician and staff mentor, they are expected to work independently. The ideal student will demonstrate a high level of motivation and self-initiative. Students will not share the same project unless required by the scope of the project. Work on the research project could result in publication in a medical journal, or presentation of research at a medical symposium.

2009 Independent Student Research Program
May 25 - July 31

Purpose
The CRSTI Independent Student Research Program is designed to further develop the student’s medical research skills. Available only to students who have successfully completed the CRSTI Internship, this program further develops and sharpens the student’s ability to conduct scientifically valid research, conduct analysis and report findings.

Method
Students are assigned a research project, physician mentor and staff mentor based on their ability, maturity, level of education, and past internship experience. Independent Research Students work a minimum of 20 (twenty hours) a week. Schedules are flexible depending on the research project and stage of completion.

Application Process
Applications for the Independent Research Program will be accepted from January 15 until January 30. Applicants must provide the following:

• Typed, double spaced statement of interest in the program, including what the student hopes to gain from this experience beyond what they achieved in the internship. Statement should not exceed two pages.
• Two (2) letters of recommendation (at least one letter should be from a teacher, professor, or advisor).
• Transcript
• Application
  Download the application in Adobe Acrobat format here.

Interviews will be conducted in February.
Candidates will be notified of their status by March 6, 2009.
Completed applications should be mailed to:

CRSTI
Intern Program Director
7777 Forest Lane C-742
Dallas, Texas 75230

Qualifications
Students must have successfully completed the CRSTI Internship Program prior to application.

Stipend
Research students will receive a certification of program completion and a stipend of $2000 upon successful completion of the program. Students who do not complete the program will receive a proportionate share of the stipend based on the completed portion of the program as determined by the Program Coordinator.

Program Description
Interns are matched to a physician mentor, staff mentor, and a research project based on their ability, maturity, level of education, and previous internship experience. Research Students will be responsible for completing the project during the program culminating in the writing of an abstract, manuscript or both. Research students will have the option of observing surgical and non-surgical procedures. Research students will be expected to conduct literature searches, collect and analyze data, and report research findings. Research Students are welcome to attend any Internship meeting or presentation at the discretion of the student.

If you are interested or would like more information on the Intern Program, please contact us by e-mail at mbruns@crsti.org or by phone at 972-566-6820.