The Academic Associate program is a one-year, full-time, paid position in the Department of Emergency Medicine designed for post-undergraduate, pre-medical students interested in clinical and translational research. Academic Associates help emergency medicine faculty with academic and scholarly activity and support the department by performing administrative duties.

Since the program's inception in 1999, research output has increased, with the Academic Associates involved in several aspects of the research process, including IRB proposal preparation, patient recruitment, grant application preparation, data management, scholarly writing support, and identification of potential funding opportunities. Additionally, Academic Associates lead Research Committee meetings to develop new studies and frequently correspond with local industry sponsors to ensure regulatory compliance.

Academic Associates are responsible for recruiting and hiring individuals for the Volunteer Research Internship Program. Their responsibilities also include managing day-to-day activities of the Program, providing performance evaluations, and planning and implementing educational days for research interns.

In an administrative capacity, Academic Associates prepare Continuing Medical Education modules, plan conferences, and conduct quality assessments within the health system, among other projects. They also write departmental reports, reviews, and newsletters.

Finally, Academic Associates have the opportunity to attend and participate in professional meetings, keeping abreast of emergency medicine developments and trends.

If you would like to apply to become an Academic Associate for the 2011-2012 academic year, please e-mail a cover letter, a recent resume/CV, a list of references, and an unofficial transcript to Alvin Lomibao at alomibao@nshs.edu, Karen Tenner at ktenner@nshs.edu, and Mary Frances Ward, RN, MS, ANP at mward@nshs.edu.

2010 – 2011 Emergency Medicine Academic Associates

Sandra De Cicco, MD

Sandra is broadening her work in research this year at NSUH after spending last year in the Department of Emergency Medicine at LIJ. While at LIJ, Sandra's research focused on the efficacy of investigational medications in asthma treatment outcomes, and she became proficient in conducting spirometry. Sandra coordinated a joint North Shore-LIJ study with the CDC investigating the seroprevalence of H1N1 antibodies among emergency health care providers. Sandra joined the NS-LIJ Health System shortly after completing her medical school training at Ross University School of Medicine. Previous to medical school, she received her bachelor's degree in biology at Boston University. Sandra spends her free time in the kitchen and in the winter she loves to ski. Sandra is currently interviewing for a PGY-1 residency position in the field of family medicine, with a special interest in disease prevention and immunizations.

Jessica Gatt, BS

Jessy, originally from Birmingham, Michigan, graduated from the University of Michigan with a concentration in philosophy and a minor in biochemistry. She was awarded three undergraduate fellowships to fund her pharmacology research, investigating the role of the sodium channel beta1 subunits in cardiac myocytes, using a knockout mouse model. In her senior year, she presented her research findings at the 2010 Experimental Biology Meeting in Anaheim, California, and was elected into Phi Beta Kappa. Throughout college, Jessy was an academic writing tutor for the university's Sweetland Writing Center and also led organized study groups for organic chemistry. During her free time, she enjoys attending concerts, asking questions, and practicing yoga regularly. Jessy will be applying to medical school for matriculation in fall 2012.

Alvin Lomibao, BS

Originally from Canton, Connecticut, Alvin received his degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Rochester. His senior design project comprised two components: using FDA and ISO standards to evaluate the biocompatibility of a prosthetic material for lumbar artificial disc replacement, and developing a device to deliver the implant into the spine. Alvin's other research involved designing a photonic biosensor from porous silicon to screen for targeted molecules in vitro. Outside of these projects, Alvin served as a MATLAB teaching assistant, mentored high-school research assistants, and managed a $900,000 budget as student government president. In his spare time, Alvin goes to concerts, reads up on current events and likes home brewing. He is currently applying for master's and doctorate programs in biomedical engineering.

Maxwell Mathias, BS

Max, originally from Massachusetts, graduated magna cum laude from Brown University with a B.S. in biology and a concentration in neurobiology. During his senior year, he was elected to Sigma Xi and received honors for a thesis project that used mathematical models of the brain to explain behavior observed in the rodent model of ADHD. Max is an EMT and served as a primary crew member of Brown Emergency Medical Services as well as a vaccinator for the Rhode Island Medical Reserve Corps, an organization that administered flu vaccines to children during the recent H1N1 flu pandemic. He also loves French literature, culture, and, above all, pastries. Max is currently applying to medical school for matriculation in the fall of 2011.

Megan McCullough, BA

A native of Springvale, Maine, Megan graduated from Bowdoin College with a major in biology and a minor in chemistry. She earned biology departmental honors upon completion of her senior thesis entitled, "Mutational Analysis of the Extracellular Domain of Wall-Associated Kinase 2 (WAK2)." During the spring 2009 semester, Megan studied medical practice and policy in Copenhagen, Denmark where she developed a passion for traveling. For four years, Megan competed on Bowdoin's varsity field hockey team, winning back-to-back NCAA National Championships in 2007 and 2008. Off the field, Megan enjoys playing basketball, watching the latest television series, and relaxing with family and friends.

Kate Miele, MA

Kate recently completed New York University's Pre-health Post-baccalaureate Certificate Program, holds a master's degree in international affairs from New School University, and graduated with High Honors from the College of William and Mary with a bachelor's degree in East Asian Studies. She has seven years of professional nonprofit experience, including international reproductive health with EngenderHealth and GROOTS International, global diplomacy with One To World, and environmental advocacy with Green Corps. Kate's past research is with Trichomonas vaginalis, HIV/AIDS, and Japanese sociological development. Her volunteering includes mentoring high school students with the Opportunity Network, serving as an emergency room volunteer at New York Downtown Hospital, and organizing medical brigades to Ecuador with MEDLIFE. In her spare time, Kate enjoys being taken for long runs by her Jack Russell terrier.

Robert Spencer, MS

Robert graduated as a Presidential Honors Scholar from New York University after completing an accelerated B.S./M.S. program in organic chemistry. In addition to serving as a teaching assistant for five undergraduate science courses, he held large organic chemistry review sessions for charity, for which he was recognized with three NYU President's Service Awards and featured in the "15 Most Influential Students" issue of the Washington Square News. For his three years of research in fullerene chemistry, Robert published two manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals and presented his research at regional and national conferences in addition to receiving several research grants. In his free time, Robert enjoys traveling and playing tennis. He aspires to become a pediatric neurosurgeon and has been accepted to medical school for the class of 2015.

Karen Tenner, BS

Karen, originally from Massachusetts, graduated from Brown University with a B.S. in human biology and was elected to Sigma Xi during her senior year. Through Project HEALTH, in which she served as a volunteer and local coordinator, Karen worked in a pediatric clinic, connecting families to social and governmental resources. At Brown, Karen served as a teaching assistant for Genetics and Introductory Biology. Her research involved health behaviors in urban pre-adolescents. She designed, implemented, and evaluated an after-school dance and health curriculum for girls at risk for obesity. Karen's previous experience also includes working for the New York City Department of Health. In her free time, Karen enjoys running, reading, baking, going to the beach, and exploring New York City. She is currently applying to medical school for matriculation in the fall of 2011.

The following is the contact information for the Academic Associates: