Clinical Exposure in Neurology and Neurosurgery program in 2023 continues to pay dividends .
R-CEINN offers three URI students each summer the chance to work alongside neurologists and neurosurgeons for two weeks . Neishay Ayub , MD , assistant professor of neurology and the department ’ s diversity , equity , and inclusion officer , says students select their mentors and co-design their own research projects . “ We also hope to maintain longitudinal relationships with the students so we can help in their path to science beyond their time in the program with us ,” she adds . Godinez was able to hit the ground running in Brown ’ s Center for Spine Tumor and Chordoma Research , where he began working as a research assistant after graduating from URI in May .
He says the loss of a family friend to glioblastoma helped motivate him to study neuroscience .
“ I wanted to be part of the research and efforts behind finding some sort of therapies for cancer related to the brain or the spinal cord ,” Godinez says .
A JOINT EFFORT The Medical School ’ s newest pathway program , Department of Orthopaedics Research Summer Academy Leadership ( DORSAL ), equips 10 local high school students each year with laboratory and clinical skills to prepare them for careers in orthopedics .
In addition to offering hands-on experience , Garcia , an assistant professor of orthopaedics ( research ), says faculty want to break down barriers . Participants learn about laboratory safety and work-life balance , how to dispel insecurities , ask questions in different environments , and network . At the end of the program , each student gives a research presentation .
DORSAL pays each student a stipend , crucial for encouraging participants from low-income backgrounds , Garcia says . “ One of our students had told us they were dissuaded from becoming a member of the program because of difficulties in their personal lives ,” he says . “ It ’ s important that we understand that we ’ re talking about equity .”
Arianna Kelly , 16 , a junior at the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center , says her own injuries drew her to orthopedics . In DORSAL , she felt like a true member of a research team , she says .
“ One of my research partners had a presentation at Brown medical school and they invited me to go ,” Kelly says . “ They even invited me to go out to eat with them . They make you feel welcome and it ’ s honestly one of the best work environments I ’ ve been in .” HD @ B
The DORSAL program , led by Dioscaris Garcia , left , exposes local high school students to the field of orthopedics while providing networking , mentorship , and real-world research experience .
PHOTOGRAPHY ( PREVIOUS PAGE ): JONATHAN GARRIS , ( THIS PAGE ): KENNITH C . ZIRKEL
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