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 (a 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 February 1st.

Program Purpose:
The purpose of the Externship is to provide qualified students interested in pursuing a career in 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:

Brittany M. Owen, MD
Assistant Professor

Course Coordinator:

Araceli Rosas, Executive Assistant
[email protected] (713)500-6559

Application Information and Deadline:

The application deadline for the summer externship is February 1st.
Apply Now

The Mary Ann Lunsford Cardiology Summer Externs 2025

Arham HassanArham Hassan, May 19th – June 27th
Texas A&M University, Major: Public Health
Arham has been active in several labs, one of which led him to participate in the Texas A&M Student to Faculty Initiative. His research has resulted in 2 peer reviewed publications, 10 national conference presentations, 1 local presentation, and a potential grant. He also received the Undergraduate Research Ambassador Award and 2nd place in the National Public Health Poster and Sling Medical Entrepreneurship Expo. He is the Community Outreach Director for the Bryan-College Station Free Health Clinic, the Texas Ambassador for Charity Week and the An-Nisa Mental Health and Domestic Violence Advocacy Team.

Chrislyn BasilChrislyn Basil, May 19th – June 27th
University of Texas at Austin, Major: Health & Society
Chrislyn works as a Pediatric Occupational Therapy Assistant at From the Heart Therapy, supporting children in developing motor skills and sensory integration. At the NeuroTap Lab at Dell Medical School, she serves as a research assistant, contributing to research on PTSD, currently conducting her research on “Emotional Regulation and Brain Structures”. She has volunteered with Choice Hospice, and at Memorial Hermann Hospital, assisting across multiple departments. Additionally, Chrislyn has supported neurodiverse individuals through Lifelong Learning with Friends and organized pediatric outreach efforts with Project Sunshine. She is recognized on the University Honors List and is a recipient of the Dravidian Studies Scholarship.

Jacob LijoyJacob Lijoy, June 30th – August 8th
University of Texas at Austin, Major: Biology
Jacob serves as an undergraduate course assistant and TA in an Intro Biology course, is in the Biology Scholars Honors Program, and a National Merit Scholar. He participates in the Cambodia Global Health Outreach Team, is a Freshman Research Initiative Mentor in the BioBricks Lab and part of the Health Careers Mentorship Program. He is a National Students Expanding American Literacy (SEAL) Officer and volunteer coordinator, is an External Office in Brain Exercise Initiative (BEI) at UTA, Kessem (supporting children with cancer) UTA, Impact Corps Dell Med – Lead for America (LFA). He is an Austin Karate Black Belt and EMT.

Sneha JosephSneha Joseph, June 30th – August 8th
University of Texas at Austin, Major: Neuroscience
Sneha is an Undergraduate TA in the UTA Biology Dept preparing lectures and lab techniques. She works at Cornerstone Hospital of Austin as an EKG/Monitor Technician. She is part of the Nixon Lab as an Undergrad Researcher which experiments on alcohol induced brain damage. She is a Student observer at Dell Seton Medical Center and Ascension Seton Williamson Round Rock. In addition, she is a Member and Researcher for UTA Chapter of Mental Health Initiative for South Asians. She volunteers with Students Expanding American Literacy (SEAL) as Literature Marketing Manager and Heart for Homeless UTA.

The Mary Ann Lunsford Cardiology Summer Externs 2024

Hudson BoydHudson 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 MohapatraPratyush 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 KuraKushi 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 LimSamuel 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 KingJ’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 ThomasHannah 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 BennerCarson 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 WangEric 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.