The Stroke Research Associate (SRA) Program within the University of Minnesota Stroke Division focuses on the longitudinal development of research and clinical skills applicable to future clinicians and researchers.
The SRA Program comprises a foundational experience within our lab conducting impactful clinical research.
The Senior Stroke Research Associates (SSRA) Program includes an increasing leadership role within the research team. SSRAs may also have an opportunity to join the clinical stroke team to observe stroke care in the hospital.
Although typically geared towards pre-meds and medical students at the University of Minnesota, all students with an interest in clinical neuroscience and stroke are eligible to apply.
Stroke Research Associates participate in stroke clinical research leading to conference presentations and manuscript publications. A dedicated research curriculum and guided mentorship support the development and advancement of essential clinical research skills.
Minimum commitment: One year (averaging 10-20 hours per month).
This requirement balances a flexible scheduling while allowing students to contribute meaningfully to their research project and their research team.
Training, Onboarding, and Research Project
- Structured clinical research onboarding including all necessary UMN and hospital system modules
- Join active clinical research projects under direct mentorship
- Abstract data, conduct electronic health record review, statistical analysis.
- Research Associates with meaningful contributions to their projects will have authorship on conference presentations and published manuscripts
Additional Academic Opportunities and Recognition
- Letters of recommendation from faculty
- Join the UMN Stroke Program for community outreach and education events
- Present research at the UMN Neurology Department Kennedy Research Symposium as well as state, national, and international conferences
- Participate in UMN-sponsored research programs such as A-PReP and UROP
- Receive course credit for Directed Research (maximum 3 credit hours per semester)
- Complete an Honors Thesis under the guidance of stroke research lab faculty (typically a Senior Stroke Research Associate)
- Apply for Travel Grants and Young Investigator Awards
- Attend UMN Stroke Program didactic conferences and neuroradiology conferences
- Stroke Research Award
Stroke Research Award Requirements
Research Associates will receive a Stroke Research Award upon fulfilling the following criteria:
- Conduct clinical research for twelve months with the Stroke Research Lab
- Complete the University of Minnesota’s research onboarding modules
- Complete the SRA training curriculum
- Attend monthly Stroke Research Lab meetings and individual project meetings
- Fulfill all programmatic expectations with the highest standard of integrity
The Senior Stroke Research Associate (SSRA) program is available to motivated Stroke Research Associates who have completed one year with the Stroke Research Lab. In this advanced role, qualified SSRAs have the opportunity for increasing leadership within their research teams.
Minimum commitment: One year (averaging 10-20 hours per month).
This requirement balances a flexible scheduling while allowing students to contribute meaningfully to their research project and their research team.
Training, Onboarding, and Research
- Continued clinical research with opportunities for mentorship and leadership.
- Abstract and analyze data, conduct electronic health record reviews, prepare conference abstracts, draft manuscripts.
- SSRAs with meaningful contribution to their projects will have authorship on conference presentations and published manuscripts
- Shadow the clinical stroke team for a day, observing acute stroke treatment, neurological exams, neuroimaging, and procedures.
- If desired, SSRAs may complete advanced onboarding modules for patient-facing research (additional NERS requirements) and participate in hospital-based stroke clinical trial coordination, including on-call and in-person coverage for patient screening and enrollment. This opportunity is only available on a case-by-case basis.
Additional Academic Opportunities and Recognition
- Letters of recommendation from faculty
- Join the UMN Stroke Program for community outreach and education events
- Present research at the UMN Neurology Department Kennedy Research Symposium and state, national, and international conferences
- Participate in UMN-sponsored research programs such as A-PReP and UROP
- Receive course credit for Directed Research (maximum 3 credit hours per semester)
- Complete an Honors Thesis under the guidance of stroke research lab faculty
- Apply for Travel Grants and Young Investigator Awards
- Attend UMN Stroke Program didactic conferences and neuroradiology conferences
- Advanced Stroke Research Award
Advanced Stroke Research Award Requirements
Senior Research Associates will receive an Advanced Stroke Research Award upon fulfilling the following criteria:
- Conduct clinical research for twelve months as a Stroke Research Lab SSRA
- Attend monthly Stroke Research Lab meetings and individual project meetings
- Fulfill all programmatic expectations with the highest standard of integrity