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

The application period for this year has ended. We appreciate your interest and encourage you to apply again during next year's application cycle in the spring.

 

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

Savanna Brar

Major: Biology B.S. (Class of 2029)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: playing basketball, spending time with family, going shopping, and traveling

ARA student

Aylin Gutierrez

Major: Biochemistry, B.S. (Class of 2028)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: shopping, dancing, cooking, working out, and spending time with family/friends

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

Harleen Juneja

Major: Psychology, B.A.

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: cooking, baking, working out, volleyball, spending time with loved ones

ARA student

Gurleen Kaur

Major: Biology, B.S.

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests:  listening to music, spending time with loved ones

ARA student

Zachary Mathews

Major: Biology, B.S. (Class of 2029)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: weightlifting, hiking, chess, drumming, reading

ARA student

Michelle Nguyen

Major: Biochemistry, B.S. / Child and Family Science, B.S. (Class of 2030)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: painting, playing instruments, gaming, running  

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

Suraj Prakash

Major: Biology

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: working out, playing chess, traveling, and spending time with family/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

Angela Rosa

Major: Biology, B.S. (Spring 2028)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

Interests: art, weightlifting, crocheting, traveling

ARA student

Amira Yousaf

Major: Biochemistry, B.S. (Spring 2027)

Undergrad: California State University, Fresno

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

 

 

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).