The Research Assistants’ primary function is to aid the Academic Associates in their research, administrative and academic duties. Research Assistants share similar responsibilities as an Academic Associate, but on a per-diem basis. We currently have two active research assistants, both of whom are former Academic Associates:

Brandon Firestone, BS:

Brandon graduated as a Meinig Family Cornell National Scholar from Cornell University with a B.S. in Human Biology, Health, and Society. Throughout his tenure at Cornell, Brandon seized various opportunities related to his passion for healthcare: he was a member and presenter with the Sexual Health Awareness Group, a Teaching Assistant for a Human Anatomy and Physiology course, and a Research Assistant in a taste science laboratory. As such, he investigated correlations between taste sensitivity, dietary habit and psychological cognition. Additionally, during his junior year, Brandon studied abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark in the Medical Practice and Policy program, providing him with a unique opportunity to observe the healthcare system in an international setting. Brandon has been a long time member of the NSUH research team. After working as a research intern for one summer, Brandon became part of the Academic Associate program where he participated in studies regarding sepsis, patient advocacy, among many other topics. Brandon also gave an oral presentation at the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine’s Annual Meeting in May 2008, presenting the results of a smoking cessation study that he greatly contributed to. Brandon decided to remain a part of our research program as a Research Assistant and is currently attending the Medical University of South Carolina.

Jonathan Gong, BS:

Jonathan graduated from the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University with a Bachelors of Science. At Cornell, he worked on a research project analyzing the efficacy of the acute coronary syndrome guidelines. Jon also worked for New York City's Health and Hospital Corporation looking at the outpatient geriatric clinics. Jon joined the Academic Associate team in 2007 and managed numerous projects throughout the 2007-2008 academic year. Some of the research topics he worked on included Political Advocacy, Smoking Cessation and a range of sepsis studies. Jon was also able to author numerous publications during his time as an Academic Associate. Jon is currently attending SUNY Downstate Medical College.

If you would like to learn more about this position, please send your resume/CV along with a cover letter and unofficial transcript to Mary Frances Ward, RN, MS, ANP at mward@nshs.edu.