About Us:

We are a leading research institution committed to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation. Our team is dedicated to conducting ground breaking research and providing meaningful learning opportunities for aspiring scientists. Join us and contribute to our mission while gaining invaluable experience in a dynamic and collaborative environment.

Overview of Department & Mentor: 

This is a internship designed specifically for students who are currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program. Candidates who have already completed their bachelor's degree or are enrolled in a master's program will not be considered. 

We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Research Intern to join the Cedars-Sinai Center for Translational Geroscience, part of the Department of Medicine, under the mentorship of Dr. Sara Espinoza. Dr. Espinoza is an expert in frailty and geroscience, and her research focuses on geroscience-guided therapies to improve frailty and healthspan in older adults. Dr. Espinoza's research focuses on understanding frailty and sarcopenia in older adults, through epidemiologic and clinical translational research, including clinical trials. She is currently leading a randomized clinical trial of metformin for the prevention of frailty in older adults with pre-diabetes.

This internship offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in conducting translational clinical trials on interventions to enhance health-span in older adults, including repurposed pharmacologic agents, novel agents, nutritional supplements, and behavioral interventions like diet and exercise. Yunhee Choi-Kuaea, the program manager will be the Mentor/Supervisor for daily activities.

Role Activities & Timeline: 

INTERN will meet with the mentor biweekly.  These meetings will consist of both virtual and in-person meetings.  INTERN will be working mainly on our 4 active clinical trials.  Both the day-to-day supervisor and the mentors will track their progress toward achieving readiness to publish data on aging and lifestyle factors.  This will be gauged by their ability to 1) understand the science, 2) conduct clinical trial work autonomously, 3) achieve facility in analysis of the data and 4) participation in manuscript authorship.

Weeks 1-2 INTERN will become oriented with Cedars-Sinai and the MHARC research clinic space and laboratory, coworkers and work product.
Weeks 3-4 INTERN will learn the basics on endocrinology, diabetes, aging, metabolism, geroscience, cellular senescence, laboratory practices, seminal work in the field of lifestyle and aging. 
Weeks 5-6 INTERN will become proficient in clinical trial and lab experiences informing this research
Weeks 7-8 INTERN will become proficient in data entry and assist in analysis informing this research
Weeks 9-10 INTERN will identify and tackle any areas of special interest as well as participate in drafting manuscripts for publication in leading medical journals.

INTERN will attend weekly meetings including the team huddle meetings, weekly laboratory and study progress meetings and recruitment meetings.

INTERN will be working with CS-link for chart review, research database, and specimen samples. The intern will officially be added to the IRB study and have taken CITI Training, making this allowable.

INTERN will assist clinical trial staff to gather non-invasive study assessments and enter responses into databases.

Limited virtual activities include reading background material and working on manuscripts for publication.
Systems Access: INTERN will be working with CS-link for chart review, research database, and specimen samples. The intern will officially be added to the IRB study and have taken CITI Training, making this allowable.

Role Summary & Objectives: 

Key Responsibilities:
•    Assist with various research projects related to Center for Translational Geroscience.
•    Participate in various forms of data entry and collection related to our clinical trial studies. 
•    Assist Clinical Research staff with patient visits, documentation, CRF completion, data queries and monitor visits.
•    Contribute to discussions on research progress and findings.
•    Attend and support local community events and research day events.
•    Support community outreach efforts focused on healthy aging, particularly in the senior community.
•    Adhere to all safety protocols and guidelines.
•    Engage in training on study and survey design, community event planning, resource development, and presentation skills.