For Students

The BCTR is full of student research opportunities and other exciting possibilities.

With its dual emphasis on research and practice, careers in Translational Research attract those who seek both scientific grounding and community relevance. 

The BCTR engages undergraduate and graduate students in research and outreach programs for credit, as work-study and as regularly paid employees.

Lily Anne Trainor

Plant Sciences ’20

This is Lily’s second year working as a student assistant for the NY State 4-H Office in the BCTR.

Lauren Aronson

Human Development ’17

Lauren is currently a first year graduate student pursing her Master of Social Work at NYU Silver School of Social Work.

Lily McGovern

Human Biology, Health & Society ’19

Lily is an undergraduate senior studying human biology, health & society in the College of Human Ecology.

 

For Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students can become more involved with the BCTR by taking courses, attending talks and workshops, applying to training programs, or through for-credit, work-study or paid positions within BCTR projects.

Students gain direct experience with research and analysis in real-world projects, collaborating with project staff and other students. For some, involvement with the BCTR has led to a deeper commitment to translational research, as well as the contacts and experience to pursue a future in their chosen field.

Training Programs

PRYDE Scholars – a two-year training program from the Program for Research on Youth Development and Engagement (PRYDE) for Human Ecology students who want to gain expertise in translational research on youth development. Students work on collaborative projects with youth and program leaders in New York State 4-H.

Interested students must apply in the spring of their sophomore year for this funded program experience that includes research mentorship, coursework and professional development.

Courses

The BCTR offers one-credit courses where students will learn and apply research on a special topic within translational research, plus learn from and with community partners. Current course offerings include:

HE 5060 – Special topics in Translational Research

HE 1010 – Introduction to Human Ecology

Gerontology Minor – The minor is administered through the BCTR. Undergraduates from any major who complete 12 credits in approved courses are eligible to receive the minor. The program offers undergraduate student research opportunities to become involved in faculty projects examining aspects of aging.

Research and practice opportunities

Undergraduate Research Assistant positions with ACT for Youth – Two positions are open for the spring 2023 semester (and ideally, beyond). You will be updating evidence from literature, and resources from practice, which supports programs funded by the New York State Department of Health to provide pregnancy prevention programs. You may also be involved in other ACT for Youth evaluation and research activities, such as reviewing evaluation data for clarity and completeness, assisting with quantitative interview data collection and transcription, or other tasks.

Undergraduate Translational Research Symposium – Undergraduates working on translational research projects (in any phase) are invited to present their work at this symposium on May 5, 2023.

Other Opportunities

the BCTR also connects students through special events and projects including:

The Contribution Project – Occurring every February, Cornell undergraduates can apply for $400 to use toward making a contribution to the world. Students can apply in February and 100 are chosen at random.

Undergraduate Translational Research Symposium – Held at the end of the spring semester, this poster session is an opportunity for students to share progress on their translational projects while building research communication skills and receiving feedback on their work.

Awards

Kendal at Ithaca Scholarship – awarded annually to a College of Human Ecology undergraduate or graduate student interested in gerontology.

Roberta M. Berns ’65 Memorial Research Award – provides financial assistance to an undergraduate student working with a BCTR faculty member on a research project.

For Graduate Students

There are a number of ways graduate students can become involved with BCTR, ranging from graduate seminars to formal affiliation with the center. Contact us for further information.

Lecture series

Talks at Twelve: This lecture series affords graduate students the opportunity to share the results of their work and gain experience giving conference-style presentations. Center staff and researchers along with community members and stakeholders are invited to attend. If you are a BCTR-affiliated grad student interested in delivering a Talks at Twelve, please contact Sarah Harrington.