Pediatric Epilepsy Research Internship
Description
The Pediatric Epilepsy Research Internship in the Loddenkemper Lab provides undergraduate students the opportunity to supplement their coursework with first-hand experience in health care. This program offers students the unique opportunity to adapt their current strengths and acquire new skill sets that will prepare them for their future endeavors in health care.
About the Loddenkemper Lab
Our mission is to prevent, predict, detect, and treat every seizure and status epilepticus in children before it occurs. We envision a world in which seizure freedom is achieved for all children through closed-loop early warnings/treatments and aim to provide critical data to further the understanding of epilepsy for medical professionals, families, and patients alike by using machine learning and predictive algorithms to prevent seizures and diffuse the stigma of the disease. As for clinical aims, we simply strive to provide the best care possible for pediatric patients with epilepsy.
Combined, these aims guide our work and help us develop epilepsy care from a largely inpatient driven population to continuous outpatient care and integrate seizure monitoring tools for seizure detection/prediction in patients at greatest risk for complications such as status epilepticus and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).
COVID-19 updates
Starting summer 2021, we will offer both in-person and remote internship options depending on the student's preference and ability to relocate if not in the Boston area. Should the intern choose an in-person internship experience, they will be required to adhere to the COVID-19 protocols set forth by the Boston Children's Hospital Emergency Management Team. You do not have to be in the Boston area to complete a remote internship, however, please be mindful of any time difference.
Time commitment
Summer Semester: 30 hours per week
Fall/Spring Semesters: 10 hours per week
What we are looking for in interns
Boston Children’s Hospital expects that every employee, including interns, possess the following Core Standards:
- Excellence: Believes that expectations are meant to be exceeded.
- Courtesy and respect: Demonstrates friendliness, professionalism, empathy and compassion.
- Communication: Communicates clearly, honestly, listens carefully, and responds thoroughly and promptly.
- Enthusiasm: Is upbeat, positive, projects a professional image and always goes the extra mile.
- Teamwork: Works with others effectively and efficiently.
- Leadership: Takes initiative, creatively and collaboratively solves problems, and continuously searches for ways to make improvements that advance the hospital’s mission of patient care, research, education and community.
Intern duties
- Aid in data entry by reviewing medical records
- Assist in the optimization of databases by manipulating data entry fields
- Provide administrative support to research coordinators
- Help research coordinators enroll patients in a variety of research studies*
* — Only possible with in-person internships
Internship outcomes
- Develop an understanding of the basics of seizures and epileptic encephalopathies
- Learn how to utilize various databases such as REDCap and Excel
- Understand medical terminology by reviewing medical records
- Acquire strong organizational skills
- Obtain an understanding of how a research protocol progresses from beginning to end, including Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
How to apply
The application for the Fall 2024 term opens on June 1, 2024. Please submit your application by June 21, 2024 11:59 PM EST.
Please use this link to apply: Form (hsforms.com)
Please email any questions to our internship email at LoddenkemperInternship@childrens.harvard.edu. Please do not contact individual lab members with inquiries.
Number of positions available
2-5
About Boston Children's Hospital
Boston Children’s Hospital is dedicated to improving and advancing the health and well-being of children around the world through its life-changing work in clinical care, biomedical research, medical education and community engagement. Boston Children's is ranked the number one pediatric hospital in the nation by U.S. News and World Report. It is home to the world's largest pediatric research enterprise, and it is the leading recipient of pediatric research funding from the National Institutes of Health. It is the primary pediatric teaching hospital for Harvard Medical School. Boston Children’s treats more children with rare diseases and complex conditions than any other hospital.
Requirements
- Students must be pursuing an undergraduate degree and enrolled at a four-year institution, preferably majoring in Biology, Chemistry, Neuroscience, Psychology, Health Policy Management or related fields.
- Must be in Junior or Senior year in college.
- Please note: this is an unpaid internship through the hospital. Students must receive academic credit from their institution, a letter of support from their school for how this internship will further their education, or outside funding. Please confirm with your school that one of those options would be available to you.
- If the student is seeking a remote internship, they must have consistent access to a computer and a stable internet connection.
Check with your school's Internship Coordinator BEFORE accepting the hiring offer to determine if this position satisfies the criteria for receiving academic credit.