Medical students explore community-engaged research through Community Health Partnerships Summer Internship

This summer, medical students participating in the Indiana University Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS) Community Health Partnerships track gained hands-on experience in community-engaged research. Working with faculty mentors and community partners, students contributed to projects focused on a wide variety of topics such as maternal mental health, public perceptions of research, and school lunch nutrition.

In addition to their research projects, which they presented in a poster session as the end of the summer, students participated in weekly seminars featuring community-engaged researchers and community partners who shared their work. Through these activities, students learned how community perspectives can shape research and lead to more meaningful, sustainable solutions to health challenges.

Students described the experience as inspiring and appreciated the new perspective and skills they gained:

“I am so glad that I was able to be a part of this program and track. I feel like I was able to learn a lot about community-engaged research and other skills that will really help me in my future career. It was inspiring to hear about the work that is already being done, and I am excited to see how I can continue to contribute to projects like these in the future.” – Alyssa Reinoso

“I learned so much about the importance of community-engaged research this summer. I loved hearing about the lasting impact this type of research can have on underserved communities and learning from my classmates also doing this research.” – Emily Starnes

“The Community Health Partnerships program allowed me to understand the difference between how physicians and researchers approach problems and what the community actually needs. I feel far more equipped to create solutions that community members can actually use, and I now have a far greater interest in continuing to learn more about the various communities around me.” – Nikita Rao

The Community Health Partnerships track of the IMPRS program provides future physicians with experience in community-centered research and its potential to improve health outcomes across Indiana.