Health Services Research Center Summer Scholar Program Exposes Students to the Transformative Impact of Research on Clinical Practice, Inspires Future Endeavors

UH Research & Education Institute

The University Hospitals (UH) Health Services Research Center (HSRC) recently embarked on its 2025 Summer Scholar Research Program, providing 15 high school, college and medical students with an unparalleled opportunity to learn about medical research, specifically health services research.

Scholars in the six-week mentored research program have a broad range of opportunities to explore their interests and career options in health-related fields, in addition to pursuing mentored individual and team-based research projects. Every week they attend didactics on foundational research methods topics, career development seminars and book club to further their exposure to careers, trends and options. This year's cohort, which includes six high school students, four college students and five medical students, represents 11 different institutions in Illinois, Massachusetts, North Carolina and Ohio. Scholars will share their research findings and experiences at a symposium held at the graduation ceremony for the summer program.

“We are very excited about the second cohort of this highly competitive program, with only a quarter of applicants from across the country carefully selected to be the 2025 HSRC Summer Scholars,” said Samudragupta Bora, PhD, founding director of the UH HSRC. “This program is the highlight of the year; an enlightening and engaging summer filled with numerous opportunities for individual and group learning aimed at instilling greater knowledge and interest in medical and scientific research careers in the next generation. To meet rising demand for our program, we added five new spots this year and increased the acceptance rate from 20% to 25%.”

Building a Pathway for Future Scientists and Clinician-Scientists to Propel Medicine Forward

The Summer Scholar Research Program is intended to serve as a launchpad to other career, education and mentored opportunities, strongly positioning scholars to pursue their personal goals, in school, and well beyond. “The program certainly has a targeted focus on strengthening the pathway for the next generation of health services researchers and professionals specializing in healthcare delivery science,” says Dr. Bora.

Scholars who complete the program receive a certificate of participation and a stipend of $1,500 for high school students and $2,500 for college and medical students. Students from underrepresented groups in science and medicine, first-generation college students and those with limited access to medical research at their current institutions were strongly encouraged to apply, with specific outreach efforts to encourage applications from these groups.

Summer Scholars Gain Valuable Insight and Career Inspiration

Summer scholars enjoy invaluable access to leading clinician-scientists and scientists who are advancing the field of medicine through the Career Journey sessions. They also gain greater understanding of the importance of health services research in maximizing the effectiveness of health systems to improve clinical outcomes with the timely delivery of the most advanced, evidence-based patient care. The 2025 Career Journey speakers include Andrew Pieper, MD, PhD; Jennifer Villwock, MD; Peter Pronovost, MD, PhD; Sanjay Rajagopalan, MD; Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD and Victor Montori, MD. The program establishes a foundation for scholars to grow and pursue specific career goals from an informed perspective.

Ethan Zhao, a 2024 HSRC Summer Scholar, who will be a freshman at Purdue University this fall majoring in Biomedical Health Sciences, says participating in the program informed his subsequent academic and clinical experiences. For instance, in shadowing a radiologist, he readily saw the vital role of imaging in patient care. He also understood how research and data-driven practices impact daily decision-making in clinical settings. He was likewise better able to connect classroom learning to real-world healthcare issues.

Former scholar Kate Bollinger presents her learnings from last year's program to the 2025 cohort during this year's program orientation day.

“The summer scholar experience has motivated me to continue exploring a wide range of healthcare careers and has deepened my commitment to pursuing (a career in) medicine,” says Ethan. “It also inspired me to stay involved in research and seek mentorship opportunities that will support my growth as a future healthcare professional.”

Similarly, Constance Loring, another 2024 Scholar who will be a senior at The Ohio State University this fall, majoring in biology with plans to attend medical school, says participating in the HSRC Summer Scholar Program prepared her for volunteering at free medical clinics in Columbus during the school year.

“My involvement in these free clinics has (illustrated) some of the disparities we discussed, in person,” says Constance. She has applied knowledge she gained via the HSRC Summer Scholar Research program, including use of Excel, to her academic studies and lab work. Following her summer program, she’s worked in a nutrition research lab at Ohio State, helped a graduate student project testing a drug for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, contributed to a vitamin C diet study, and assisted in a pilot study for a clinical trial testing cardiovascular health using ultrasounds of brachial arteries.

Constance also joined a First Aid Services Team (FAST) for the Red Cross, receiving certificates in basic lifesaving skills, tourniquet application and life-threatening bleeding, and the administration of emergency oxygen. She is now part of a volunteer group that supports first aid and emergency medical services at large events in Columbus, including festivals, Ohio State sporting events and races.

Summer Scholar Research Program Builds Upon a Newer, Fast-Growing Research Field

The HSRC was launched in early 2024 to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge research into clinical practices that improve individual and population health outcomes. The center promotes promising research discoveries to maximize their clinical application and impact throughout University Hospitals and beyond.

Guided by a five-year strategic plan, the center links to all clinical academic departments within UH and comprises more than $100 million extramural-funded portfolio in healthcare delivery science, with research programs focused on health disparities, health outcomes, health promotion and health technology.

The Summer Scholar Research Program is one of several education initiatives underway within the HSRC to promote education, mentorship and professional development opportunities for training the next generation of health services researchers and faculty career advancement. Participants in the first Summer Scholar Research cohort in 2024 explored topics including asthma prevalence, poverty status and overdose mortality, female breast cancer among various ethnic groups, diabetic prevalence and food deserts, HPV vaccine coverage by state political affiliation and SNAP benefits and obesity outcomes.

“With all our training and education programs, we are investing in the next generation and cultivating the interest, passion and commitment required to keep advancing the path of novel, transformative health services research,” says Dr. Bora. “This ensures that patients locally, nationally and internationally have access to the best care possible, regardless of their circumstances.”