Overview

Penn State’s Clinical Research Training Program is a collaborative effort shared between multiple campuses, with its home base at Penn State Greater Allegheny. Supported by the Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI), undergraduates from Penn State Greater Allegheny, University Park, Penn State New Kensington, and Penn State Harrisburg can participate starting in their fifth semester. The program partners with Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Research Institute, Penn State College of Medicine (CoM), and Clinical Research Strategies LLC (CRS) to provide hands-on clinical research experience and internships.

Experience

Students majoring in Biobehavioral Health (B.S.) or other science majors at Penn State Greater Allegheny can pursue training in Clinical Research. At University Park, the program is available to students majoring in Health and Human Development or Biology. Key components include a 3-credit capstone course in Clinical Research practice, additional professional development opportunities, and an optional summer internship with AHN, CoM, or CRS clinical research scientists.

Mission Statement

The program aims to train the next generation of clinical researchers by providing detailed practice, core curriculum, hands-on internships, and networking opportunities.

By the end of the Clinical Research Program, students will achieve the following:

  • Comprehensive understanding of clinical research practices, encompassing regulatory requirements, essential elements of patient and data management, and clinical trial financing.
  • Proficiency in demonstrating good clinical practices and understanding the informed consent process.
  • Familiarity with current research topics in academic medicine, including oncology, cardiovascular disease, orthopedics, and neurosciences.
  • Proficiency in clinical data management, clinical documentation, and approaches to health outcome-centered research.
  • Ability to recognize socio-political and policy factors influencing clinical research.
  • Hands-on experience in conducting clinical research.
  • Presentation of original research at a professional symposium.

Program Description

  1. Eligibility: Must be in the fifth semester standing in BBH, science, or psychology programs.
  2. Prerequisites: BIOL162 or KINES203 and STATS200 or STATS250.
  3. Required course: HHD410/BBH471 Clinical Research Practice (3 credits, Fall semester, entry approval required).
  4. Additional opportunities: Professional development in Spring, internship opportunities in Summer.
  5. Program membership: Upon enrollment in HHD497 capstone course, students can participate in all related events, internships, networking, and conferences.

Student Experience

Neila Raveen, a graduate of our Biobehavioral Health program and transfer student from Toronto, Canada, enrolled in the Clinical Research Practice course (HHD 497) in her third-year. She subsequently interned at AHN Research Institute and will intern at Penn State College of Medicine post-graduation. Neila will present original research at Translational Sciences 2023.

Photo of BBH student Neila Raveen

I would highly recommend this program to students who are interested in becoming a physician or an assistant. This clinical research partnership can help expose you to the hospital environment and help you learn what you are truly.

Neila Raveen, Biobehavioral Health Student 

Interested students should contact the Program Director for application details, which typically include a short letter of interest.

For further information or to inquire about the program, please contact the Program Director directly.

Clinical Research Leadership and Advisory Committee 

Designed and Developed by

  • Kyle Bird, former VP of Research at Allegheny Health Network, current VP of research at Dana Farmer Cancer Center at Harvard
  • Kristal Tucker, Ph.D., Program Coordinator of Biobehavioral Health, Associate Teaching Professor of Biology
  • Andrea Stevens, Ph.D., Director of the Undergraduate Clinical Research Training Program, Assistant Professor Biology

Advisory Commitee

  • Andrea Stevens, Ph.D.—Director
  • James Pawelczyk, Ph.D.—Workforce Development, CTSI and University Park Program Liaison
  • Kevin Gardner, RN—Director, Clinical Trials Office, Penn State College of Medicine, Internship Coordinator, PSU CoM
  • Nicole Tarr—Director of Collaborative Partnerships and Research Development, CTSI
  • Dennis Shea—Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Outreach, Health and Human Development
  • Heather McDonald, MHA, CCRC—Internship Coordinator at Allegheny Health Network(AHN).
  • Erin Iman—Allegheny Health Network (AHN) Program Liaison
  • Penelope Morrison—Penn State New Kensington Program Liaison
  • Weston Kensinger—Penn State Harribsurg Program Liaison
  • Julie Cramer—Vice President and Internship Coordinator, Clinical Research Strategies

Clinical Research Training Program Coordinator

Andrea Stevens, Ph.D., Director of the Undergraduate Clinical Research Training Program, Assistant Professor Biology