PURPOSE

The Summer Student Research Program is designed to expose undergraduate students to clinical research and the “real world” of medicine. In addition to working on a research project, students have a research curriculum, learn about careers in health care, and participate in shadowing and community activities.

2027 PROGRAM DETAILS

Dates: June 21 – Aug. 13, 2027

The 8-week program begins in-person on Monday, June 21, 2027 and culminates with a scientific presentation of research findings on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2027.

Selected students must be able to commit 35-40 hours per week for the entire 8-week period. In order to fully benefit from the program and participate in the medical curriculum and additional activities, we recommend students refrain from committing to other summer courses/activities during the 8-week period. 

All student positions are voluntary. Research scholars must reside on O‘ahu throughout the duration of the program. The program will require travel between various sites and the Hawai‘i Pacific Health Conference Services office. Housing, transportation, and living costs are the responsibility of the applicant. 

PROGRAM EXPECTATIONS

Students will be partnered with a practicing physician who has developed a clinical research project proposal and will be the Principal Investigator (PI) for the project. Every effort will be made to consider the student’s interests and qualifications when projects are assigned.

The PI oversees all aspects of the research study. The student is responsible for coordinating and carrying out any assignments to accomplish project objectives, under the direction of the PI, the Research Consultant and Summer Student Research Program staff.

Students will complete a written project report describing their work, and will present their findings at a scientific presentation during the final week of the program. The specific duties to accomplish each project vary. However, a typical research project has the following tasks, some or all of which may be done by the student:

  1. Conduct a literature review and summarize the findings. This serves to familiarize the student with the current state of knowledge as well as to provide a basis for the introduction and discussion for the presentation and final paper.
  2. Participate in the design of the data collection instrument. The data collection instrument must be well thought out in order to obtain the information necessary to answer the research questions.
  3. Collect study data through reviewing medical records or other means.
  4. Develop a computer database or continue one already established; enter data and validate it.
  5. Analyze data (with assistance), applying appropriate statistical tests and interpreting the results.
  6. Prepare a final report including the documentation of study methods, analysis of findings, and sufficient information that a project may be completed or interpreted after the student leaves.
  7. Present research subject matter and results to an audience of health care professionals and other guests, using appropriate visual aids.