PSOM Office of Outreach, Education and Research (OER)
In partnership with the PSOM Office of Outreach, Education and Research (OER), led by Dr. Jamie Shuda, the RNA Institute supports creating unique pathway opportunities to engage our youngest researchers and clinicians. One impactful example of this is the OER summer research program, which offers Philadelphia area high school students a 7-week research position hosted by Penn faculty. Each June, 25 local students become Penn employees and work to develop the skills and experience needed to understand translational research.
Summer Interns are mentored by trainees or staff within faculty labs, gaining hands-on experience in conducting basic research at the bench. In addition to bench work, students participate in weekly college readiness, professional development, and career exposure activities. In the fall and spring before the summer internship, participating students complete 16 hours of preparatory training in basic laboratory skills, reading scientific literature, maintaining a laboratory notebook, and performing experiments. An inaugural clinical week called, “From Bench to Bedside” was introduced to the OER experience in 2024. During the week, students received CPR training along with trauma medicine training – “Stopping the Bleed.” They also learned about working in addiction medicine and received Narcan training.
In summer 2024, a fantastic cohort representing 18 different city high schools participated. The Penn Institute for RNA Innovation supported five OER summer research interns! All the summer research interns thrived as professionals at Penn, impactful scientists in their labs, and healthcare advocates. A major highlight of the program was the collaborative trip to the Mutter Museum in July. Meeting Dr. Weismann, hearing from enthusiastic professionals in medicine and research, and networking with other Penn and international students pursuing STEM greatly impacted the OER interns. One student shared: “One of my favorite experiences would have to be the Mutter Museum trip because not only did we get to see crazy cool things, I also got a chance to talk to people that I normally didn’t get to.” E. Zheng, OER 2024 summer intern.
