What research did you perform this summer?
"I'm currently researching depression and its link with the development of vascular dementia. Specifically, investigating the time window between the depressive episode and the diagnosis of vascular dementia to see if age accelerates the development of dementia in depressive patients using data derived from the MGB Biobank."
"I am investigating the relationships between chronic inflammation in the epididymis (a long coiled tube that stores and transports sperm) and male infertility. Our research aims to critically inform treatments for idiopathic (occurring from an unknown cause) male infertility and male contraceptives."
"I'm doing research on a Colombian family whose members reached the age of 90+ without cognitive impact or many comorbidities, and could be the first report of a Latin family with a genetic variant that confers them longevity."
What year in school are you?
From high school to doctoral programs, see where the 30 summer research students we interviewed are at in their educational journeys.
Where do you go to school?
Our summer research students come from schools across the United States and around the globe. Check out where the 30 students we interviewed are studying on the map below!
What are you studying?
While summer research students do tend to major in topics related to science, math, engineering and technology, the breadth of their knowledge is impressive.
Why did you want to be a summer research student?
- Muhddin Dervis, Kalra Lab, Department of Radiology
"I want to be an OB-GYN physician one day and attend graduate school to become a historian of medicine or medical ethicist. So, our work at the Dekel Lab (investigating new ways to diagnose and treat childbirth-related PTSD) is extremely meaningful to me because I learned first-hand the importance of prioritizing patient experience, dignity and autonomy while recognizing the complexities behind physician decision-making in sensitive situations. I realize that our healthcare system and society at-large has a long way to go in honoring mothers and comprehending motherhood the way we should."
- Eunice Chon, Dekel Lab, Department of Psychiatry
"My grandparents were cancer patients at Mass General and the true quality of care from their physicians inspired me to pursue a career as a physician-scientist. Their doctors were personally invested in allowing us to make more memories together, and I am forever grateful. I know the best and brightest minds at the forefront of discovery are here at Mass General, and learning from them is an invaluable experience that cannot be replicated."
- Brianna Fountain, Shreffler Lab, Center for Immunology and Inflammatory Diseases
- Hayim Sims, Lerner Lab & Park Lab, Cutaneous Biology Research Center
"For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with the human brain, and my dream has been to become a doctor. Both my grandfather and cousin were affected by cancer, sparking my personal motivation to pursue medicine and aid in research for cell therapies. Both family members had to receive multiple brain surgeries, and after watching how the disease impacted our entire family, I became interested in neurosurgery. These interests are what lead me to joining the Choi Lab."
- Cate Frerichs, Choi Lab, Department of Neurosurgery
About the Mass General Research Institute
Research at Massachusetts General Hospital is interwoven through more than 30 different departments, centers and institutes. The goal of our research is to better understand human health and disease and to identify new strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Your support will help us pursue new and unproven areas of research that could lead to the next game-changing breakthroughs.
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