The Brooklyn Scientific and Technical Education Pipeline Program for Students (STEPPS), offered through NYU Langone's Clinical and Translational Science Institute and the Beyond Bridges Initiative, aims to increase the diversity of the clinical research workforce and the number of students choosing careers in clinical research. This initiative allows students to participate in a paid yearlong internship, including a full-time summer intensive, to gain knowledge and hands-on experience in clinical research, followed by a yearlong internship in a specific field of interest. By the end of the yearlong program, participants have the skills to function independently as research assistants and the experience to support graduate-level applications.

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What Is Clinical Research?

Clinical research is the study of health and illness in people. It often occurs in medical settings with patient populations, but it can also take place in community settings. Through clinical research, we learn how to prevent, diagnose, and treat illness. It involves human participants and helps translate basic research (usually done in wet labs or tightly controlled experimental settings) into new treatments and information to benefit patients. Clinical trials, health services, education, patient experience, and mental health (among others areas of inquiry), as well as research in epidemiology, physiology, and pathophysiology, can all fall under the clinical research umbrella. People involved in clinical research come from a variety of educational backgrounds, including scientific fields, the humanities, social sciences, and many others.

Internship Eligibility and Training Opportunities

We are seeking undergraduate students enrolled in associate or bachelor’s degree programs who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM), with socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, and/or students with a disability who reside in Brooklyn and are interested in pursuing clinical research careers focused on addressing health disparities. This yearlong internship program offers a unique opportunity for students to gain first-hand experience in clinical research with faculty at NYU Langone in a wide variety of fields.

The yearlong program begins in August with in-person lectures on clinical research topics, followed by internship placement in an active clinical research group at NYU Langone during the academic year. Students have the opportunity to participate in a scholarly project and be an integral part of the research team. Finally, students have access to ongoing didactics and mentorship. Participants receive compensation of $20 per hour for the duration of their internship. Interns are expected to devote at least 10 hours a week during the academic year to their assigned research groups. No previous clinical research experience is required.

Eligibility

Interested applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements during the year in which they participate in the program:

• be an undergraduate student enrolled full or part time at a two- or four-year college or university in New York City
• reside or attend college in Brooklyn, or have an interest in serving the community of Brooklyn
• have the ability to commit full time (40 hours per week) during the summer intensive
• have the ability to commit 10 hours a week during the yearlong program within a clinical research lab

Individuals who identify as underrepresented in medicine (URiM), have a socio-economically disadvantaged background, and/or have a disability, as per National Institutes of Health standards, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Training Outline and Duration

We teach the skills necessary for students to conduct clinical research with their investigators and provide the experience required for research assistant roles. Our faculty’s research involves studying acute and chronic health conditions, social determinants of health, and environmental factors affecting health. Our faculty stem from various departments in neurology, infectious diseases, psychology, cardiology, population health, pediatrics, and many others.

Summer Intensive

The summer intensive program runs for three weeks: August 5–23, 2024.

It consists of didactic sessions, hands-on training, and a culminating project. The program is geared toward preparing students for their yearlong program. The summer intensive is a paid, full-time position within our Clinical Research Center in Brooklyn.

Yearlong Internship

The yearlong internship runs for 10 months: October 7, 2024, to August 8, 2025.

It follows the summer intensive and consists of students conducting clinical research with faculty in their research teams. Students conduct 10 hours of real-world clinical research on projects that involve participation with patients. Students receive mentorship from assigned faculty investigators, have monthly check-ins with STEPPS team members, and have the opportunity to present and publish their work. This yearlong program is a paid position.

Salary Support

For the summer intensive, students are paid $20 per hour, 35 hours per week, for 3 weeks.

For the yearlong internship, students are paid $20 per hour, 10 hours per week, for 10 months.

STEPPS Leadership and Team

The Beyond Bridges STEPPS Clinical Research Program Leadership Committee and Team reviews all student applications and conducts interviews of select applicants. They also provide ongoing mentorship and support to all accepted students and offer advice on professional development, the research project, and work–life balance.

Aaron S. Lord, MD
Chief, Neurology, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
Program Director of Clinical Research, NYU Langone Hospital—Brooklyn
Co-Director, Beyond Bridges Research Pillar

Marie Bragg, PhD
Director, Diversity Initiatives, Office of Science and Research
Co-Director, Beyond Bridges Research Pillar

Melanie R. Jay, MD
Director, Research Collaboration and Mentoring
Co-Director, NYU Langone Comprehensive Program on Obesity
Co-Director, Beyond Bridges Research Pillar

Rachel S. Gross, MD
Co-Director, Beyond Bridges Research Pillar

James Holahan, MS, MPH
Executive Director, Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Amin Yakubov, MPH, MBA
Associate Director, Research Operations, Brooklyn

Emily Drum, MPH
Program Manager, Research Education and Strategic Initiatives

How to Apply

We are now accepting applications, due March 15, 2024, by 11:59PM. Applicants should complete the STEPPS Clinical Research Internship application form. The following application materials are required:

• current resume
• one-page personal statement of interest that describes your reasons for applying and your career plans beyond training
• one letter of recommendation

Selected applicants undergo an interview process before acceptance to the program.

Students accepted to the program need to provide one additional letter of recommendation and a high school diploma or transcript, as well as undergo a health screening.

We encourage applications from women, people who are underrepresented in medicine (URiM), people of different physical abilities, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

If you have questions about the STEPPS Clinical Research Internship application process, contact our team at STEPPS@NYULangone.org.