A comprehensive research program in transplant epidemiology for grade 11 & 12 students

The first class of the ASPIRE Program with mentors Dr. Heather Ross and Segun Famure

The Advanced Student Placement Integrating Research Education (ASPIRE) is an initiative launched by Toronto General Hospital’s Multi-Organ Transplant Student Research Training Program (TGH-MOTSRTP). ASPIRE is a full year volunteer opportunity offered exclusively to high achieving students in Grade 11 and 12 to gain both education and work experience in a clinical research environment .

ASPIRE students are exposed to clinical research and provided with basic education related to the field of solid organ transplantation and the etiology of related diseases. ASPIRE trainees benefit from this learning experience by contributing to ongoing MOTSRTP research and health services projects.

The responsibilities of ASPIRE students include: Data collection and entry (patient information management), assisting with administrative tasks of staff and senior trainees, communicating with hospital staff both within and outside of UHN, set-up of transplant assessment clinics & managing biological specimens in the Biologic Specimen Repository.

In addition, ASPIRE students will be assigned individual projects in conjunction with senior university trainees addressing questions in the field of transplantation, bioethics, and patient engagement. Students will be provided with the opportunity to conduct extensive literature searches, analyze information pertaining to current issues in medicine, and present their findings to mentors and colleagues.

PROGRAM Details Mission and Description

Work and Responsibilities

Research Education

ASPIRE+ EDUCATION

ASPIRE students regularly receive seminar lectures from senior trainees and mentors on topics including organ physiology, immunology, and complications associated with transplantation. These introductory level lectures will provide comprehensive background information in transplantation.

ASPIRE students also learn basic research tools such as structuring proper study design, conducting a comprehensive literature search and analyzing journal articles. They will also receive advanced instruction on the various intricacies of their individual projects.

Clinical Observerships ASPIRE students are invited to participate in a variety of clinical observations at their leisure. Students have the opportunity to shadow physicians and allied health professionals to gain first hand experiences in a clinical setting. Observations also offer a valuable opportunity for networking and practical health education.

Clinics available for observation include:

Post-Transplant Nephrology Clinic

In-Patient Ward Rounds

VAD/Heart Function Clinic

Heart Transplant Clinic

Observations in Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Social Work and Occupational Therapy Observations are also available on a regular basis. Students may also have access to surgical research observations, including pig liver surgeries.

Select students are also awarded transplant surgical observations based on performance and availability.

Pre-Transplant Assessment Clinic

Intensive Care Unit Rounds

Kidney/Pancreas Transplant Clinic

Infectious Diseases Clinic

WHO can apply?

ASPIRE recruits a select number of Grade 11 and 12 High School students

with a passion for clinical medicine and research. Students must commit to

24 hours per week during the summer months and 10 hours per week during

the academic year to fulfill work and educational requirements.

HOW to apply?

Interested individuals are asked to submit an application as well as scanned

copies of the student’s most recent high school transcripts, the latest version

of the student’s resume, a letter of reference for the student from an

educator and a maximum 1000 word scientific paper on an assigned

scientific topic. Applications are available on the Department of Multi-Organ

Transplant’s education website: www.uhn.ca/mot/education - under

“Educational Programs”. Information can also be found by searching for

“ASPIRE UHN” on major search engines. Please note that applications are

made available in the middle of December annually.

WHEN to apply?

All required documents must be submitted by the applicant whilst in his/her

Grade 11 or 12th year by the final day of February. Interviews will be

scheduled there-after, and successful applicants are notified no later than

early April.

Please e-mail any inquiries or questions to: motsrtp@uhn.ca.

APPLICATIONS

ASPIRE Alumni “Through the ASPIRE program, I gained a better understanding about transplantation and medicine through various education seminars, inpatient and outpatient rounds, and assisting with ongoing clinical research projects. Additionally, I met mentors who continue to inspire and guide me throughout my academic career”.

- Cha Cha Yang, ASPIRE 2014 Undergraduate Student, Harvard University