Program

Testimonials

I worked with [Drs. Cole and Wambach] during PSRP, and continued working in their lab throughout undergrad. I published my work from PSRP in 2022: Biologic characterization of ABCA3 variants in lung tissue from infants and children with ABCA3 deficiency, and just started medical school this year at Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine in Rochester, Minnesota.
Katherine Xu
2019 Wambach-Cole Lab

I published The use of low-titer group O whole blood is independently associated with improved survival compared to component therapy in adults with severe traumatic hemorrhage in Transfusion, directly from my work during the PSRP program. […] using research skills that I built in the program, includes a 1^st author work in Nature Chem Bio and another publication in Nature Communications, and won the WashU Bio Department Quatrano prize for my thesis. I currently am a second-year medical student at Harvard Medical School.

I really valued the program, it taught me a lot of research skills and helped to build exceptional connections. It helped build foundations for really understanding investigation and gave great mentorship. Thank you so much for your work to support me in PSRP.
Ethan Lowder
2019 Spinella Lab

I loved my time in the PSRP, which inspired me to really go for medicine and clinical research. I graduated from Yale in 2022, after which I was a Fulbright Scholar at University College London, and got my MA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics of Health in 2023. I’ll be heading to Harvard Medical School this fall! Couldn’t have done it without the motivation to kickstart a medical career as a first-year in college.
Sarah Pitafi
2019 Arbelaez Lab

After my freshman year of college, I was eager to learn more about the field of medicine and whether or not I saw it as my future. This drew me to the PSRP, and I had an amazing experience working on a pilot study in the Children’s Hospital ED with Dr. Kennedy. The PSRP confirmed my ambitions of attending medical school, and I will be starting at WashU School of Medicine in just a few months! You were instrumental in the organization and implementation of the PSRP, and I wanted to thank you for providing me with the incredible opportunities that stick with me years later.
Jake Goldfarb
2019 Kennedy Lab

Because my undergraduate institution had limited research opportunities, I applied to the PSRP to experience basic science research. I discovered that I enjoyed doing experiments at the bench as much as I enjoyed seeing patients through clinical shadowing. Dr. Bubeck-Wardenburg, my PI during the program, was the first person who encouraged me to pursue a career as a physician scientist. The PSRP played a pivotal role in shaping my career path thanks to the impactful experiences and mentorship that I received. Today, I am a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program at Washington University School of Medicine pursuing a career I once dreamed of!
Jesse Pak

I really valued the program, it taught me a lot of research skills and helped to build exceptional connections. It helped build foundations for really understanding investigation and gave great mentorship. Thank you so much for your work to support me in PSRP.
Ethan Lowder

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Requirements

Full-time research training

PSRP students are required to pursue their research training full-time — 40 hours per week — throughout the duration of the program. Students must complete no less than two months of full-time research as active members of their mentor’s research team. PSRP students work alongside experienced researchers. During this time, students engage in lab meetings, presentations and may conduct some independent research assigned by their mentors. Students will gain insight into the process of doing research and will become part of the collaborative process of sharing techniques, new endeavors and successful investigative outcomes.

Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)

Students must complete training in the Responsible Conduct of Research. The PSRP provides all students with access to seminars and/or coursework that must be successfully completed in order to fulfill this requirement.

Summer Program for Pediatrics and Research Career (SPPARC) seminars

All participants are required to attend a one-hour summer research seminar held every Thursday throughout the duration of the program.

Final abstracts & presentations

PSRP students will complete an abstract and give a brief, oral presentation on the research conducted during the forum at the end of the program.

Students are required to stay for all presentations on the last day.

Eligibility

Level of education

PSRP applicants must be full-time undergraduates and at least 18 years old.

Citizenship

There are no citizenship requirements. If a non-U.S. citizen, at the time of application, you need to be residing in the U.S., enrolled in a full time graduate or undergraduate program and be eligible for employment. This program will not help secure a visa.

Training effort

All students may be required to pursue their research training full-time — 40 hours per week — throughout the duration of the program.

You will not be paid for July 4^th since PSRP students are considered temporary/part-time and are therefore not eligible for holiday pay.

Pre-employment screens

A criminal background check and a drug screen will be required. You will also need to register for the MOFCSR (Missouri Family Care Safety Registry) which must be paid by you, that cost is $15.50.

TB test and other health information

All students must provide documentation of TB test results within the last year and have a health form completed and signed by their doctor.

Questions

Review some common questions we have received.

FAQ

I'm ready

Learn more about the application process.

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