Academic Research Associates

Offered in association with the Fresno State Biology Department, the Academic Research Associates (ARA) Program offers pre-medical undergraduate students a unique opportunity to observe clinical medicine and participate in biomedical research. The program takes place within the Emergency Department at Community Regional Medical Center. Participants may join the program through Fresno State as an elective course.

The Academic Research Associate position is an important responsibility requiring maturity, initiative, diligence, and excellent interpersonal skills. In addition to gaining experience in conducting medical research and acquiring familiarity with how the emergency department functions, associates can learn about careers in Medicine from the doctors, nurses, and medical students.

The data collected by the Academic Associates are analyzed by the faculty doctors and their associates in support of many ongoing clinical research studies. Our goal is to publish each study in a medical journal, with the hope of increasing medical knowledge and improving patient care.

Benefits

Assist with clinical research studies
Observe in the emergency department
Ride along with American Ambulance
Learn about the IRB and clinical trials
Potential to develop own research study
Build your pre-med resume
Gain hospital volunteer hours
Receive course credit through Fresno State

Academic Research Associates

Academic Research Associates - 2026

Application

Eligibility/Requirements

Fresno State pre-medical students; must have completed a minimum of one year of post-secondary education following high school graduation.
1 year minimum commitment
80 hours (average 6 hours/week) per semester in the emergency department participating in research and shadowing activities

Application Process

All applicants are required to submit an online written application that will become available during each application cycle.

The initial application will consist of the following:

Online application (link will be available when applications open)
Copy of resume/CV
Unofficial transcript

Upon approval, the following will be required:

California ID
Next semester's school schedule
Copy of the CITI Program certificate stating you have completed the Human Subject Protection Training and the Good Clinical Practice Training. Register at https://about.citiprogram.org/en/homepage/ under University of California, San Francisco (ID: 1215).
Copy of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) -2 vaccines OR serological testing to demonstrate immunity or signed declination.
Copy of Varicella-2 vaccines OR serological testing to demonstrate immunity or signed declination.
Copy of Hepatitis B documentation of immunization (series of 3 doses) OR documentation of titer OR signed declination.
Copy of TB Skin Test (Students with a known positive TB test must provide a statement, dated within the 12 months prior to volunteering, from student’s physician stating the student is asymptomatic for TB and, if available, results of the positive skin test (including induration) or quantiferon test and the most recent CSR results.
Copy of Pertussis vaccination or signed declination.
Copy of Influenza (flu shot)– if student cannot provide proof of flu vaccine, student is not permitted to participate during flu season.
Background check (fee paid by student).

Benefits

Academic Research Associates - 2026

Deevyam Malik - Lead ARA

Danya Sumrein - Lead ARA

Mandi Luellen - Lead ARA

Sarah Ahmed

Yashdeep Grewal

Diana Hernandez

Skye Nguyen

Vivian Nguyen

Jacob Pardo-Vera

Kevina Pinto

Rubi Rivera

Angela Rosa

Mia Trevino

Amira Yousaf

Eligibility/Requirements

Application Process

Emergency Medicine Research

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