Program Description

The NYU Cancer Institute (NYUCI) Clinical Research Coordination Internship (CRCI) Program is a well-defined, structured program for students to participate in clinical research and a great way for students to test their inclinations toward careers in health care and science. Students will be placed under the supervision of the Manager of the Clinical Trials Office (CTO) and will work with a research team to assist with the conduct of cancer clinical trials. The CTO will work to place students with Investigator’s (generally PhD’s or MD’s) conducting non therapeutic and minimal risk research in areas that relate to their own interests.

Program Goals

The goal of CRCI program is to provide promising students, interested in careers in health care and/or research, an opportunity to work with NYUCI Investigator’s to gain experience in clinical research.

Training Requirements

Each student accepted to the CRCI program will go through a specified training program during their first week of internship and prior to having any involvement with the research. Training includes the following:

1.      Human subjects protection training. NYUCI Institutional Review Board (IRB) requires all research personnel to complete human subject’s protection training. The training module preferred is through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) Course in the Protection of Human Research Subjects.

2.      Clinical Trials Management System (CTMS) training. At NYUCI InfoEd is the current CTMS. All CRCI Interns will be required to complete this training and will be required to use this system during the conduct of clinical research activities.

3.      IRB Training Listed below will be required for all NYUCRCI Interns. While these trainings outline specific tasks that may not be required as part of the internship placement, these will provide the intern with an overview of regulatory requirements associated with clinical research and therefore provide the intern with a comprehensive learning experience in the field of clinical research.

• IRB – Fundamentals of the IRB: Application for Amendment, Continuation, and Study Closure
• IRB – Fundamentals of the IRB: Application for New Protocol Review
• IRB – Fundamentals of the IRB – Application for Reportable Events

4.      Training to be provided by CTO Manager based on the specific requirements of the research the intern will be placed with. For example, should the interns have responsibilities related to data management, the CTO Manager would provide continuous training on data management in the field of clinical research and as related to the specific study the intern is assigned to.

5.      Training to be provided by the Investigator on the methodology and design of the specific study the intern is assigned to.

6.      All interns will receive an informal orientation regarding the operations of the CTO, specifically, an overview of how a cancer clinical trial is reviewed, approved and conducted at NYU Cancer Institute.

Evaluation

Those accepted to the CRCI program will be evaluated at the internship midpoint in areas of critical thinking, judgment, communication skills, etc. In addition, interns will be continuously evaluated by CTO Manager. Those who successfully complete the CRCI program will be provided a certificate of completion for their records.

Facilities

The NYU Cancer Institute is a world leader in the care of patients with cancer. Our mission is to discover the origins of human cancer and to use that knowledge to eradicate the personal and societal burden of cancer in our community, the nation, and the world. What sets us apart?

We are a translational cancer center. Our scientists and other researchers share a goal of understanding how cancer develops at the molecular level, and how we can harness that knowledge to reduce the risk of cancer and to treat the disease. We constantly seek and create new opportunities for collaboration between investigators within our own walls, those located elsewhere in the New York University network of campuses (such as the Washington Square campus in lower Manhattan), and researchers at other institutions.

We take a team approach to cancer. Cancer is a complex problem requiring complex solutions. This means bringing together experts from a variety of disciplines to create collaborative research endeavors and clinical care teams. We offer the full continuum of personalized care, from prevention through diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment support. While we offer the most up-to-date care for all cancers, we are accelerating the pace of our research and clinical care for all types of human cancer. In addition, we are now launching special emphasis programs in cancer healthcare disparities, molecularly-targeted therapy, lung cancer, melanoma, and signaling pathways involved in cancer, such as those driven by the ras and mTOR molecules.

We are part of the NYU Langone Medical Center, a world-renowned academic medical center located in midtown Manhattan. So if a patient who is being treated for cancer has another non-cancer medical need, such as heart disease, we have expert medical staff in place to provide that care, too. Our focus is on treating the patient, not the disease. Patients can get all the care they need in one convenient location.We serve a diverse patient population. Our patients come from all cultural backgrounds, from a variety of socioeconomic levels, and from many different countries. Since cancer patterns and outcomes may vary according to such demographics, this means our doctors and other healthcare professionals learn a great deal about cancer by observing its presentation and behavior in different patient groups. Such knowledge can lead to the development of better diagnostic and treatment services for all patients, regardless of their backgrounds.

The National Cancer Institute, a branch of the federal government's National Institutes of Health, awards NCI designation to centers around the country that have shown they are a major source of discovery of the nature of cancer and of the ongoing development of more effective approaches to cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.

NYU Cancer Institute has earned this elite statusand is one of a select few National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer centers in the region. When you choose an NCI designated center, you are choosing a center whose experts and caring professionals understand the impact cancer can have on the lives of individuals, families and communities. You are also choosing a team that knows the value of working together to a) deliver medical advances to patients and their families, b) educate health-care professionals and the public, and c) reach out to underserved populations.

As an NCI-designated center, we are known for our strong organizational capabilities, institutional commitment, and trans-disciplinary, cancer-focused science. In addition, our experienced leadership helps to shape the future of state-of-the-art cancer research and patient care facilities.

Time Commitment

Students will need to commit a minimum of 15 hours a week to work on their research project. The specific hours will depend on the research project which they are placed with. Duration of internship is based on student’s availability and project requirements.

Class Size

Each year, the number of students admitted to NYUCRCI varies.

Prerequisites

Those eligible to apply for NYU Cancer Institute Clinical Research Coordination Internship (CRCI) Program must:

• Have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university
• Have a overall grade point average of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Be seriously considering a career in health care or clinical research

Applicants are selected based on grades, work and volunteer experiences, leadership qualities, and representation of personal qualities and skills in a personal letter. Priority will be given to those students currently enrolled in (or a graduate of) a graduate program at an accredited college or university.

International Applicants

U.S. citizenship or permanent immigrant status is required for admission to the CRCI program.

Admissions Policy

Applicants should possess the following general qualities:

• Critical thinking
• Sound judgment
• Excellent communication skills
• Emotional stability and maturity
• Empathy
• Physical and mental stamina
• Ability to learn and function in various didactic and clinical settings

In addition to the qualities above, applicants must possess the following general characteristics:

• Self-sufficient, precise and thorough
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Aptitude for the basic sciences
• Computer skills

Fluency in written and spoken English is essential for success in the program and to ensure patient safety. Applicants must demonstrate competency in English through the admission interview and may be required to submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination or equivalent examination.

Applicants will be evaluated not only on their scholastic accomplishments, but also on their physical and emotional capacities to meet the requirements of the programs.

Additional Admission Requirements

Applicants offered admission to the CRCI program must also comply with the following prevailing institutional policies and procedures regarding:

• All Interns must complete all processes as required by NYU School of Medicine Volunteer Services which will require confirmation of Immunization & health review and/or physical exam.
• Health insurance
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), confidentiality, and other training deemed necessary by NYUCI and/or the specific NYUCRCI program.

Failure to comply or to provide requested documentation is grounds for rescinding an admission offer or terminating admission.

Equal opportunity

NYU CI upholds all federal and state laws that preclude discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, disabilities or veteran's status.

Curriculum

An Investigator mentor in conjunction with the CTO Manager will direct each student's Clinical Research Internship Program’s learning experience for the research project. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) approves all research projects.

To successfully complete the program, students must:
• Comply with all program and institutional policies
• Participate in an ongoing research investigation
• Develop skills in research methodology and data management
• Participate in assigned educational activities

Program Contacts

For more information about the NYU Cancer Institute Clinical Research Coordination Internship (CRCI) Program at NYU Cancer Institute, please contact:

Erica Love, Manager – Clinical Trials Office
Email: Erica.Love@nyumc.org
Phone: (212) 263-4407
Fax: (212) 263-4485

Program Costs

No stipends or financial aid is provided for CRCI interns. You are responsible for providing your living accommodations and transportation. You may hold outside employment during the program, if it does not conflict with your program responsibilities.

To Apply

To apply to the CRCI program, please send a copy of your resume or CV to Erica.Love@nyumc.org along with a copy of your most recent transcript (unofficial transcripts accepted) and a cover letter explaining why you are interested in the becoming a CRCI intern and what your time commitment (which days and hours you would be available and potential start and end date) would be if you were accepted. Please ensure the subject line states “CRCI Application”. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and those that are qualified will be invited to interview.