LHSI Intern: Clinical Research Assistant, Hepatology

Program Summary:  

This internship is offered as a part of the Life-Health Sciences Internship Program (LHSI). This program connects 125 IUI 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 2025 and end in May 2026 and are paid $13/hour for up to 10 hours per week. Work-study is accepted but not required. 

Supervisor: Dr. Archita Desai

Department/Office: Medicine; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology

Overview of the internship site: I am a scientist and transplant liver doctor dedicated to improving the devastating journey experienced by people with liver disease and the family members who help take care of them. In my research, I study individuals with chronic liver disease which is not curable for most. Chronic liver disease can progress to cirrhosis which is a life-threatening disease often requiring liver transplant. My research is focused on improving health care outcomes for these individuals. One of my goals is to improve patient reported outcomes such as quality of life. I also am exploring the idea that measuring and following quality of life will help us better manage chronic liver disease. My other research in in the post-transplant setting, where I'm interested in looking at psychological issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety after a major life event such as needing a transplant. Finally, I have an ongoing project with other universities to measure the financial and social burdens of needing a transplant.

Website for more information: 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: As a research assistant, you would help with reviewing the literature on the topic and making summaries of the readings. In addition, you will interact with study participants to help them complete surveys when they are waiting to be seen by their physician in one of our outpatient clinics. Third, you will be responsible for entering medical record data from an individuals medical history into a secure data collection form and creating brief data summaries.

Work Environment and Dress Code: The work is performed primarily in an office setting with a dress code that may require office attire when interacting with patients and study participants

Hours per week: flexible based on student needs (10 maximum), scheduling is flexible within regular work hours

Project-specific qualifications: Ability to interact easily with patients and families with maturity and professionalism. Ability to use Microsoft office products.

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 2027 or after (usually a current freshman or sophomore in Spring 2025)   

·        Current full-time IUI undergraduate

·        minimum overall GPA of 2.0 

·        All majors welcome

To apply:

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