Academic Research Associates

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

Our program was developed by Dr. Greg Hendey and Brandy Snowden and has been revamped by Jannet Castaneda. The ARA program is based on a similar program designed by Dr. Judd Hollander at the University of Pennsylvania in the mid-1990s.

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.

Academic Research Associates

Academic Research Associates - 2026

ARA student

Deevyam Malik - Lead ARA

Major: Biology, B.S. (Class of 2026)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Hiking, reading, playing volleyball, and spending time with family

ARA student

Danya Sumrein - Lead ARA

Major: Biology B.S. (Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Building Lego sets, baking chocolate cake, and watching TV with my family

ARA student

Mandi Luellen - Lead ARA

Major: Biology B.S. (Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Hiking, crocheting, video games, cooking, playing tennis

ARA student

Sarah Ahmed

Major: Chemistry B.S. (Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: crocheting, skating, baking, cooking/trying new cuisines, traveling

ARA student

Yashdeep Grewal

Major: Biology B.S. (Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: reading, going for walks, watching movies/ TV shows, hanging out with friends and family

ARA student

Diana Hernandez

Major: Biochemistry B.S. / Psychology B.A. (Spring 2026)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Soccer, working out, traveling, board games, shopping

ARA student

Skye Nguyen

Major: Biochemistry B.S. / Psychology B.A. (Spring 2028)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Video Games, Viola, watching movies, working out, and cooking with family

ARA student

Vivian Nguyen

Major: Biochemistry B.S. (Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Running, cooking/baking, video games, shopping, and pickleball with family and friends

ARA student

Jacob Pardo-Vera

Major: Biology B.S. (Fall 2026 or Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests:  Playing guitar, music, reading, and hiking

ARA student

Kevina Pinto

Major: Biology B.S. & Asian and Asian American Studies B.A. (Spring 2026)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Reading, watching movies, baking, and traveling 

ARA student

Rubi Rivera

Major: Biology B.S. (Class of 2026)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: hanging out with family, off-roading, trying new boba and coffee places 

ARA student

Angela Rosa

Major: Biology B.S. (Spring 2028)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Art, weightlifting, crocheting, traveling

ARA student

Mia Trevino

Major: Biology B.S. (Spring 2026)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Traveling, watching movies, music festivals, trying new cuisines, spending time with family, reading 

ARA student

Amira Yousaf

Major: Biochemistry B.S. (Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: Running, hiking, baking, and trying new foods

 

Application

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:

  • Submitting application (link found below - OPENS SPRING 2026)
  • Submitting copy of CV
  • Submitting unofficial Transcript
  • Submitting a 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).

Upon Approval you will need the following:

  • California ID
  • Next Semester’s School Schedule
  • Copy of MMR-Rubeola, 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.