LHSI Intern: Research assistant, cardiovascular disease

Program Summary:   

This internship is offered as a part of the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program (LHSI). This program connects 125 IU Indianapolis undergraduates per year with internships on campus with faculty and staff in a variety of health and science related campus areas/programs. All LHSI internships start in August 2026 and end in April 2027 and are paid $14/hour for up to 10 hours per week. Work-study is accepted but not required. 

Supervisor: Dr. Khadijah Breathett, MD, MS, FACC, FAHA, FHFSA

Department/Office: IU Health Methodist Hospital Division of Cardiology

Overview of the internship site: Our work focuses on reducing risk of the number 1 cause of death in the U.S, cardiovascular disease. We are conducting a study to understand how to reduce these risks within family units by addressing non-medical risk factors which are responsible for over 50% of health diseases. You will develop skillsets in survey methodology, which requires thoughtful planning to get good samples and good data. You will learn how to perform an ideal survey, engage with potential participants throughout the country, and work with an expert team. Longitudinal work with our team will lead to opportunities to contribute to scientific abstracts at national meetings and publish related work. There are additional related opportunities related to progress and interest. Interns will have the chance to directly shadow Dr. Breathett in the Cardiovascular Unit to learn more about her work as a cardiologist and a researcher.

Website for more information: https://medicine.iu.edu/research-centers/cardiovascular/research/equity

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: learn survey methodology, invite participants into a national survey study, learn how to use REDCap, perform surveys by phone/electronically/mail, engage in additional studies as time permits

Work Environment and Dress Code: The work is performed primarily in an office setting with dress code: business casual. A headset will be provided, please bring a personal laptop.

Project-specific qualifications: detail-oriented, experience using excel, enjoy flexibility, enjoy independence, hard-working, reliable, problem-solver, good communicator, maturity in addressing sensitive topics

Hours per week: 7-9; flexible, monthly and weekly team meetings, and otherwise flexible hours

By the end of the LHSI program, you will:

• Carefully consider, explore, and articulate your career goals, including an analysis of how you arrived at that path and what steps you need to take next. (Community Contributor, Communicator)
• Understand your role and strengths on a professional team and analyze who you would like to become as a professional. (Communicator)
• Gain and strengthen skills relevant to next steps after graduation, such as communication, collaboration, teamwork, analysis/synthesis/evaluation, independence, confronting/challenging failure, problem-solving and perseverance, and constructive criticism. (Problem Solver, Communicator)
• Convey ideas and knowledge effectively through an ePortfolio and presentation of your internship work. (Problem Solver, Communicator)
• Set and meet your own additional learning goals identified with your supervisor.

LHSI Qualifications   

• must be graduating May 2028 or after (usually a current freshman or sophomore in Spring 2026) 
• Current full time IU Indianapolis undergraduate in 2026-27
• minimum overall GPA of 2.0 
• All majors welcome

To apply:

LHSI accepts 125 interns per year. All available sites are listed in Handshake and will start with the position title “LHSI Intern.” Complete the application for LHSI at go.iu.edu/lhsi and list 3-4 internship sites on that application. You will meet with at least 2 of these if selected for interviews.