Children's Summer Scholars Program (CSSP)

Children Research Opportunities for First-Year Medical Students 

Summer of 2012  

Motivation: There can be no greater privilege than to serve children and their families as a physician for children. Summer scholarships during medical school addscience to the art of medicine, build rapport with advisors and potential mentors, and enhance one's competitiveness for matching in first choice residency programs after medical school. We believe that getting involved in research during the summer will enhance the quality of your work as a future pediatrician or other clinical practitioner.

Purpose: The Pediatrics Department at the Georgia Health Sciences University (MCG) ranks in the top 25th percentile nationally in research. Wehave internationally recognized scientists in asthma, cancer, cardiovascular disease, cystic fibrosis, fitness, genetics, neonatology, neurology, obesity, and stress science. Excitingly, in January 2010 the Child Health Discovery Institute (CHDI) launched the Children's Summer Scholar Program (CSSP). The goal of the CSSP is to introduce medical students to children's research in clinical and/or basic research environments under the guidance of an experienced investigator. Currently, there are over 120 extramurally funded research projects on children's disease at MCG. The program also allows for the medical students to schedule clinical observations with various physicians. The Pediatrics Department is confident that this varied and diverse portfolio offers numerous options for aspiring pediatricians.

Eligibility: First year medical students at the Georgia Health Sciences University are eligible to apply. A student may not hold other employment during the period of the award (10 consecutive weeks at 40 hours per week). The program is administered through Dr. Maria's Office, BT-1850 in the                                      Children's Medical Center. 

Application Process and Awards: Prospective applicants initially contact Claire Ashley (cashley@georgiahealth.edu). A meeting between prospective applicants and CHDI Directors Dr. Bernie Maria (721-3466, bmaria@georgiahealth.edu), Dr. Greg Harshfield (721-4534, gharshfi@georgiahealth.edu), or Dr. Martha Tingen (721-0471, mtingen@georgiahealth.edu) will then be set up to discuss possible projects. Children's Summer Scholars will be awarded a stipend of $4,000 for 10 weeks. 

Additional information about research: The CHDI Children's Summer Scholars Program is a part of the Medical Scholar Program. Applications, details, and important dates can be found on the Medical Scholar Program website.

Medical Scholars Program Handbook

For more research topics, please look at the end of this edition of the handbook.