Mary Ann Lunsford Summer Externship for Pre-Medical Students
Program Description:
The Externship provides an in-depth exposure to all aspects of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of cardiovascular disease as enumerated in the attached schedule. Two six week periods with two positions each are offered (total of 4 students/ summer) and a $1000 stipend is provided to each student after the externship term. The Externship is sponsored by the Division of Cardiology and the Mary Ann Lunsford Endowment Fund. The application deadline for the externship is March 15th.
Program Purpose:
The purpose of the Externship is to provide qualified students interested in pursuing a career medicine, a broad introduction to the Memorial Hermann Hospital and McGovern Medical School at UTHealth with a focus on cardiovascular medicine.
Program Pre-Requisites:
1. A junior in college (completing the third year)
2. Seriously interested in pursuing a career in medicine
3. Possesses a 3.6 GPA or higher
4. Interested in actively participating in an intense learning experience at the cutting edge of
Cardiovascular Medicine
Course Director:
Richard W. Smalling, MD PhD
James D. Woods Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Medicine
Course Coordinator:
Araceli Rosas, Executive Assistant
[email protected] (713)500-6559
Application Information and Deadline:
The application deadline for the summer externship is March 15th.
Apply Now
The Mary Ann Lunsford Cardiology Summer Externs 2024
Hudson Boyd, May 20th – June 28th
Texas A&M University, Major: Biomedical Sciences
Hudson is currently a research assistant in Dr. Samba Reddy’s lab. Two poster presentations he has presented on are, “Hyperactivation of Epigenetic HDAC Activity in TBI Model” and “HDAC Activity in TBI Models and HDACi Drugs.” He is an active member of Beta Upsilon Chi Fraternity and played NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Team at Southwestern University. In addition, he is a hospice volunteer and Breakaway Volunteer.
Pratyush Mohapatra, May 20th – June 28th
Rice University, Major: Biosciences
Pratyush is a research assistant in the Finnell/Cabrera Birth Defects Lab and is working on a review manuscript for publication titled, “Recent Advancements Achieved through Genetic Mouse Models of Neural Tube Defects.” Since 2022, he has received the President’s Honor Roll and is a National Merit Scholar. He volunteers his time as a Camp Kesem counselor, Rice Health Advisor and Site Leader in the Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees. In his free time, he enjoys singing as part of Basmati Beats A Cappella.
Kushi Kura, July 1st – August 9th
University of Texas at Austin, Major: Public Health
Kushi is a research assistant at the Widen Lab studying how nutrition throughout pregnancy shapes later maternal and infant health. She has volunteered at Dell-Seton Medical Center, Hearts for the Unhoused, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. She is an active member of Delta Epsilon Mu Pre-Health Fraternity, Founder of the “Pads for Pupils” Service Project, and Ambassador of the Creighton University Health Career Opportunities Program.
Samuel Lim, July 1st – August 9th
University of Texas at Austin, Major: Neuroscience
Samuel is active in several research labs that includes biomedical research. He was selected for the highly competitive JAMP program in Texas. He was a Questbridge National College Match Finalist and is in the Biology Scholars Honors Program. He volunteers for organizations such as Global Medical Missions Alliance, JAMP, Texas Epic, and Big Fish Club. He is also a certified EMT.
The Mary Ann Lunsford Cardiology Summer Externs 2023
J’Dyn King, May 22nd–June 30th
The University of Texas at Austin, Major: Psychology
J’Dyn has been a research assistant and is a volunteer coordinator for Elite Hospice and Palliative Care. She has been involved at UT as a cheerleader, Texas Diamonds Spirit Organization and a member of Women in STEM. She has presented at conferences such as Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) and Human Behavior and Evolution Society (HBES). She was on the Dean’s List at UT and the recipient of the Undergrad Research Fellowship award.
Hannah Thomas, May 22nd–June 30th
Texas A&M University, Major: Biomedical Sciences
Hannah is an Undergraduate Research Ambassador at Texas A&M. She has contributed to 2 Poster Presentations and 2 publications. She volunteers tutoring elementary students and a student volunteer at St. Joseph Health College Station. In addition, she participated on a volunteer trip to Guatemala and provided patient care during this trip. She is the recipient of the Phi Kappa Phi Freshman Gathright Dean’s Excellence Award, Aggie Research Scholar (3 consecutive semesters) and Distinguished Student Certificate.
Carson Benner, July 3rd–August 11th
Texas A&M University, Major: Mechanical Engineering
Carson participated as a community volunteer with the Global Medical Brigades in Honduras. He is works with Disability Services and is a peer note taker. He is involved in the Engineering Community of Scholars, Brown Foundation Freshman Leadership Organization, and Houston Methodist Summer Undergraduate Research Internship in which he was offered an authorship position on the publication after the poster placed in the top 10%. He is the recipient of the Gathright Dean’s Excellence Award and is a National Merit Scholar. He is also an E2EnMed Program Candidate which means early admissions to a joint MD/ME program.
Eric Wang, July 3rd–August 11th
Texas A&M University, Major: Biomedical Engineering
Eric has volunteered in BUILD converting shipping containers into medical clinics and donated to organizations for underserved rural areas, and as volunteer chair in Latino Medical Student Association. He has participated in several labs – Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering Lab, Computational Cardiovascular Bioengineering Lab, Villapol Lab (Neuroregeneration) and Surface Science Lab. He is the co-author of several posters and publications. He is also the recipient of the Undergraduate Summer Research Grant, Craig and Galen Brown Full-ride Scholarship, Dean’s Honor Award and University and Engineering Honors.
The Mary Ann Lunsford Cardiology Summer Externs 2022
MacKalyn Rendel, May 23rd–July 1st
Texas A&M University, Major: Psychology
MacKalyn has been on the Dean’s list in Fall 2020 and Spring 2021. She is a student-athlete in Swimming – top 16 in regional, top 25 state swimmer in high school and top 500 at age 12. She is also in Aggie Golden Arrows and has volunteered with the Humane Society and Independent tutoring. She was the recipient of numerous academic and athletic scholarships.
Isabella Pedron, May 23rd–July 1st
Texas A&M University, Major: Chemical Engineering
Isabella has been on the Dean’s list for the past several semesters. She was the recipient of several academic scholarships. She is the President of the Texas A&M Emergency Care Team. She has also trained to be a first responder. She is also part of the Global Medical Brigades. She has volunteered with the CovEducation x Chicago Heights Program and Brazos Valley COVID-19 Vaccination Hub and self taught how to use a sewing machine to sew masks for the homeless in the Dallas area.
Eric Hall, July 2nd – August 12th
Texas A&M University, Major: Biomedical Engineering
Eric is currently working on a human spaceflight cardiovascular related project, has contributed to IRB approval for lab experiments, is leading an ocular perfusion project which could lead to a first author publication. He is Director of the Aggie Astronaut Corps and Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. He volunteers regularly with the Texas Avenue Addiction Clinic in Bryan, Texas.
Jack Lucci, July 2nd – August 12th
Texas A&M University, Major: Chemistry
Jack was the President of Mu Alpha Theta – a math honor society in high school and treasurer of the American Chemical Society. He was selected to shadow at the Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. He volunteers at Family Promise – a local charity helping the homeless in College Station, as well as the American Red Cross. He attended high school in Japan, where he also tutored after school with the National Honor Society. He continues to tutor for the Chemistry Department at A&M.