UCSF FRESNO DOCTORS ACADEMY STUDENTS PRESENT RESEARCH PROJECTS

FRESNO – Are infants whose mothers have gestational diabetes at an increased risk for birth defects? How does the utilization of traditional versus Western medicine differ among first-generation Hmong? What is the optimum age for a patient with osteoarthritis of the knee to have a total knee replacement? What is the prevalence of methamphetamine use in the San Joaquin Valley?

These are just a few examples of the student research projects that will be showcased at the 2004 UCSF Fresno Doctors Academy Research Symposium:

Date: Thursday, July 15, 2004

Time: 5:45 p.m. – 6:15 p.m. Social hour 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Program

Place: UC Center, Fresno, 550 E. Shaw Ave., (across from Fashion Fair Mall), Inyo Room

For the past six weeks, 25 students who are enrolled in the Doctors Academy at Sunnyside High School in Fresno participated in a clinical and research internship program. Students were assigned to a health care facility where they were mentored by a health care professional. The purpose of the internship program is to allow students to explore their field of interest, interact with health and science role models, and enable students to process and present research information.

The Doctors Academy, which is sponsored by the UCSF Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research, seeks to increase the number of educationally disadvantaged students who pursue careers in health and medicine by preparing them to become competitive applicants to four-year universities.

For more information, please call Bertha Dominguez at (559) 241-7670 or [email protected]