Summer Interns Arrive At Herman B Wells Center For Pediatric Research

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Medical Students / Training
Article Date: 16 Jun 2009 - 5:00 PST

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Twenty-nine students arrived at Indiana University School of Medicine's Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research to work a 10-week summer internship alongside top pediatric researchers. More than 250 applicants vied for the treasured research spots. Most of the candidates come from Indiana universities.

"We welcome our new group of science majors to our labs and encourage them to make the very best of their experience here," said Weinian Shou, PhD, associate professor of pediatrics, and Wells researcher and director of the program.

Each intern consults with a faculty mentor to define the research project. Students are strongly encouraged to attend a number of seminars and research-related laboratory and Wells Center meetings as part of the work experience. They are required to make a presentation at the completion of the internship and participate in a round table discussion with Wells Center faculties. Dr. Simon Rhodes, associate dean for the IUSM graduate programs, will also meet with the Wells interns to update them about IUSM graduate school programs.

"I am so happy I made it," said Aiden Thompson, Loyola University master's graduate in medical sciences. "This internship will give me a competitive edge plus such valuable knowledge and experience," he said.

The program is eligible for high school seniors who are 18 years of age or older and undergraduate and graduate students. Each student receives a stipend of $2,500. Interns are responsible for their own housing and transportation.

The Herman B Wells Center for Pediatric Research conducts basic science and translational research within the Department of Pediatrics at the Indiana University School of Medicine, offering exceptional opportunities for collaborations between basic scientists and physicians.

The goals of the Wells Center are to increase knowledge of the causes and mechanisms of serious pediatric diseases, to develop innovative approaches to diagnosis and treatment of childhood disease, and to provide an outstanding training environment for medical and graduate students, residents, interns and fellows.

Areas of pediatric research include immune disorders, blood-related and heart diseases, lung development, diabetes and cancer and growth disorders.

Source
Indiana University School of Medicine