Summer of Neuroscience Student Program: Investigation, Insight and Illumination

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For the past two summers, the pandemic closed our hospitals, university campuses, and laboratories to students and volunteers; this eliminated valuable opportunities for students to be exposed to health care, science, medicine, and future career pathways. Disadvantaged and under-resourced student communities may have been disproportionally affected since disparities exist in accessing these opportunities.

The VA Palo Alto Health Care System and the Stanford Neurosurgery Department has an unwavering mission to expose students to the fields of science and medicine. Despite the closures in the summer of 2020, the goal remained of providing these experiences, keeping the pipeline open for the next generation of health care workers and scientists. We quickly pivoted and created an innovative multi-faceted summer virtual learning experience in the fields of Neuroscience, Health Care, and Medicine allowing access to all interested students. We completed our second program in the summer of 2021 with a more comprehensive and enriching student learning opportunity: “Summer of Neuroscience Student Program”.

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This summer, 46 students participated – from four different countries, nine states, seven universities and thirty-seven high schools; signifying the highest number of students participating to date. The virtual platform broadened the reach of the program and increased the global and socioeconomic diversity of participants.

The program consisted of three components. The first was the Investigation (Journal Club); in this, students presented, analyzed, and discussed emerging and foundational topics in the field of neuroscience. A short list of topics included machine learning, mirror therapy, and genomics. The program also consisted of Insights (Neuroscience Faculty and Clinician Career Panel) in which students o interacted with leading clinicians. Career panelists emerged from a diverse range of career backgrounds, such as neurosurgery, psychology, and sports medicine among others. The final part of the program, the Illumination component (Neurology and Neurosurgery Grand Rounds) allowed students access to the Grand Rounds Program in the Stanford University School of Medicine Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery.

The Summer of Neuroscience Student Program provided motivated individuals an educational experience and exposure to Stanford University and the VA hospital. By combining different components of learning opportunities with access to seminars from influential professionals/scientists, the Summer Student Program provided a unique training and networking opportunity for the pipeline of students interested in pursuing careers in medicine, health care and research in neuroscience.

A Student’s Perspective | Naomi Bennett

As an aspiring neuroscience major, this was such an incredible opportunity to discover more about the broad field of neuroscience and to explore the field of traumatic brain injuries. This summer, I participated in the summer program and was provided the chance to do research in the field of polytrauma. By participating in the various studies ongoing at the VA, I learned about details of TBI that I was unaware of before. I had the opportunity to work on a study to help patients use a mobile application to receive more personalized care for their debilitating headaches.

In another study utilizing Virtual Reality and guided meditation, I also explored easing the sleep disruptions that TBI patients often experience. I learnt about increasing accessibility of care of veterans through the use of healthcare technology by piloting a survey that evaluated patients’ opinions with technology in the medical setting.

Through my time at the VA, I was able to work in an environment filled with awe-inspiring and amazing scientists and clinicians. I learned so much and am so grateful for the experiences I have gained. I can’t wait to come back next summer!

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