COVID-19 update: HELIOS remains committed to conducting high impact health equity research, and providing research and professional development opportunities for our student members. During periods where physical distancing and masking precautions are in place, HELIOS is conducting all activities—including data collection, lab meetings and workshops—remotely. When the UCI Office of Research approves in-person research activities, student members will have the option to continue remote work, or will be allowed to work in the clinics and research sites following approved safety precautions, including safety training, physical distancing and approved personal protective equipment (PPE) that the lab will provice. Please contact us with questions, and consider applying to join us!
Help us build a better health
system for the medically underserved
The HELIOS Health Equity Research Lab
is looking for
Student Researchers
Prior research experience not required
All majors welcome
For the 2020-21 Academic Year, we are looking for Student Researchers to help us conduct our active research projects aimed at improving the health and well-being of medically underserved communities. Although HELIOS provides impactful and valuable experiences for student members from all backgrounds, some of the richest opportunities in the lab require at least a conversational level of Spanish language proficiency for these open positions. But if you have a heart for health equity, and a drive to serve under-resourced communities in your career, there is a place for you in HELIOS!
To Apply:
Read about our Active Projects
Review the Preferred Qualifications for our open positions
Learn about the Requirements and Expectations for lab members
Get a sense of what HELIOS does as a Research and Professional Development Course, a Student Leadership Organization and a Real World Health Research Experience.
Submit an Application!
Active Projects
HELIOS members may get involved in any of these projects. Many build on these opportunities to develop and conduct their own independent or group projects within the UCI Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), and go on to present or publish their work through Excellence in Research and other Honors programs, and at regional or national conferences.
2. Preferred Qualifications
HELIOS welcomes students with many kinds of experience. Here are some qualifications that we highly prefer to see in our lab members.
✔ Personal connection to communities that are under-represented in medicine or driving passion to work within medically underserved communities
✔ Interest in a career in the health professions or health research
✔ All majors welcome. We especially prefer to work with students pursuing degrees in:
Biological Sciences
Nursing
Public Health
Psychological Science
Chicano-Latino Studies
Sociology
Art/Digital Arts
Journalism
✔ Prior experience in research or in clinical settings is not required. We train and support our members.
✔ 2nd or 3rd Year UCI Undergraduate Students preferred (if you are not a current UCI student, please fill out the Interest Form at the bottom of the page and we can discuss opportunities)
✔ 1 Year Commitment
✔ Although not required, we do have special roles for students with experience or interest in:
visual design (creating appealing flyers, infographics, or educational materials),
statistical or data management software (like R, SPSS, Excel),
digital communication (like web design, social media),
written communication (creative writing, journalism, or scientific writing),
qualitative research (conducting and analyzing focus groups/interviews)
✔ Spanish language proficiency is highly preferred, and opens the most opportunities to work with patients and community members. And if you do not speak Spanish, rest assured there are still many ways you can make a very positive impact within HELIOS!
3. Requirements & Expectations
Undergraduate & Post-Baccalaureate students must receive clearance from the UCI School of Biological Sciences and enrolled in Bio 199 to receive course credit.
Once selected to join the lab, all HELIOS lab members will be expected to:
✔ Complete Bio 194S
✔ Submit Bio 199 Packet B (go to Bio Sci 199 website)
✔ Obtain a UCI Medical Center ID Badge (provided after clearance)
✔ Complete Additional Trainings:
✔ Basic HRP Course for Biomedical Investigators
✔ Basic HRP Course for Social & Behavioral Investigators
✔ Research and HIPAA Privacy Protections
✔ Commit to the following:
✔ 3 Quarter Minimum Enrollment*
✔ 3 Units Minimum per Quarter* (1 unit = 3 to 4 hours per week)
✔ Attend Weekly Research Meetings (Fridays 3:00 - 5:00 PM, mandatory during Fall, Winter and Spring quarters)
✔ For members who wish to work at the clinics:
✔ Must be able to work 3 to 4 consecutive hours at least one weekday per week (Usually between 8-12 AM or 1-5 PM)
✔ Be able to travel from campus to clinic locations, mostly in Santa Ana or Orange (either have own transportation or be willing to carpool with other HELIOS members if available)
*UCI School of Medicine postbacc students are expected to commit to a six-month research rotation and enroll in 4 units per quarter to investigate questions relating to health disparities in the community.
Sound like a lot? The HELIOS Lab staff members are here to guide you through this process and help you fit research in with your many other obligations to school, work and family. To discuss how you can make this all work, please submit an interest form at the bottom of this page, or write to our Lab Coordinator at thehelioslab@hs.uci.edu.
4. What HELIOS does
HELIOS is a…
Research and Professional Development Course
HELIOS members attend mandatory weekly Team Meetings at the UCI School of Medicine campus in Irvine on Fridays from 3:00-5:00pm. Every week, we hold workshops on professional development and research topics.
Professional Development topics include: preparing for medical school applications, careers in nursing, networking at professional conferences, and writing a personal statement.
Research topics include: writing an undergraduate research proposal, analyzing research data, conducting patient focus groups and developing effective research presentations.
In 2019-20, we offered 25.5 hours of training on various topics including health equity training, bias and empathy training, and health policy.
Student Leadership
Organization
HELIOS members are encouraged to take leadership positions in our lab, modeled after other student organizations.
In these leadership positions, students shape the direction of the lab, helping plan the lab curriculum and service opportunities, networking with clinical and community collaborators, communicating about our work through social media, and planning social events.
In the Spring, we hold our Annual Banquet where we celebrate our collective accomplishments and recognize our students.
Graduating seniors who serve in leadership positions are recognized with a HELIOS stole to wear with their gap and gown at graduation, and can list meaningful leadership experience on their CVs and resumes.
Real World Health
Research Experience
HELIOS members begin by working within existing collaborative projects like the ones listed on this page—supporting team members in recruiting patients at the clinic, preparing educational materials in English and Spanish, and assisting in patient education sessions at the clinic.
After gaining some experience and knowledge, students are invited to develop their own research projects related to the topics we are studying, following the HELIOS Lab Research Lifecycle described below.
Students receive guidance as they apply for funding through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP), develop IRB protocols, collect and analyze data, and present their work at local, regional and national conferences.
In 2018-2020, HELIOS students presented at 9 regional and national conferences in places ranging from San Diego and San Antonio, TX to Washington DC and Harvard Medical School. We anticipate this number will grow as conference restrictions lift from the COVID-19 pandemic.
the HELIOS Lab Research Lifecycle
Quarter by Quarter
“As a pre-med undergraduate, being a recruiter has helped me develop communication skills and allowed me to be engaged in a clinical setting. Working with participants is a highly rewarding process as together we overcome language barriers and most importantly build a bond of trust.”
Application Process
We welcome you to apply for a position with the HELIOS lab! Please review the application process below:
Explore | Learn about the HELIOS lab mission, projects, application process, and how you can become involved
Application | Submit your application form
Interviews | Meet us so we can get to know you and identify a project that suits your interests
Welcome | New HELIOS lab members will begin the process to be cleared to enroll and work in clinic settings
Orientation | Once cleared, new HELIOS lab members will meet with the research coordinator to explain the lab logistics
When you apply, you will be asked to:
Upload a copy of your resume or CV
Answer 5 brief free response questions:
Why would you like to join the HELIOS lab? (200 words or less)
What life experiences have shaped who you are today and what challenges have you overcome in achieving your education (personal, financial, etc)? (200 words or less)
Describe your academic and career goals. (50 words)
In what ways do you feel you will be able to help increase equity or improve the well-being of marginalized or under-resourced communities after college? (150 words)
Please describe how you have served your community (school, neighborhood, city, church, etc) and something valuable you gained from the experience. (150 words)
5. Ready to Join the HELIOS lab?
Applications for 2021-22 Academic Year are now open!
If you’d like to meet with us to learn more about the lab or would like to be notified of the application cycle opening again, please fill out the Interest Form.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but the next priority deadline is June 14
Please click the blue button to complete your application.
Before you start, please make sure to:
(1) Have a copy of your resume
(2) Be ready to answer to the following free response questions:
a. Why would you like to join the HELIOS lab? (200 words or less)
b. What life experiences have shaped who you are today and what challenges have you overcome in achieving your education (personal, financial, etc) ? (200 words or less)
c. Describe your academic and career goals. (50 words)
d. In what ways do you feel you will be able to help increase equity or improve the well-being of marginalized or under-resourced communities after college? (150 words)
e. Please describe how you have served your community (school, neighborhood, city, church, etc) and something valuable you gained from the experience. (150 words)
We value your experiences and do not expect you to have a complete research or clinical background. We strive to help students from different backgrounds get connected to opportunities and achieve their goals.
If you have any questions about the lab or application process, please email thehelioslab@hs.uci.edu.
Thank you for expressing interest in the HELIOS lab. We look forward to meeting you soon!