Scientific & Technical Education Pipeline Program for Students

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.

What Is Clinical Research?

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–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