Research Intern
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Duration: 9 months
Host: Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center
Program Overview
The Toro Health Pathways/Cedars-Sinai Postbaccalaureate Fellowship is a 9-month immersive pre-graduate program designed to provide recent graduates from CSU Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) with hands-on training and mentorship in public health, cancer research, and community engagement.
The fellowship prepares participants for professional careers in public health and healthcare by offering:
Education in the health priorities of the American public
Exposure to diverse professional careers in community and healthcare settings
Mentored research fellowships in community outreach, cancer research, population science, and more
Fellows will gain direct experience with the Cancer Research Center for Health Equity (CRCHE) and the Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) team, which conduct research on cancer screening, lifestyle factors, communication strategies, and disparities in underserved populations.
Program Objectives
Increase diversity in the health professions workforce to reduce health disparities.
Inspire post-undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue health careers through mentorship, education, and training.
Strengthen partnerships between Cedars-Sinai Cancer Center and CSU Dominguez Hills to support community-focused research and workforce preparation.
Internship Focus
Under the guidance of expert mentors, fellows will engage in:
Program evaluation and impact assessment of community outreach initiatives
Data analysis, reporting, and manuscript development
Partnership building with community organizations, clinics, and faith-based institutions
Development of professional scientific communication skills, including presentations and publications
This is a unique opportunity for graduates to apply their education to real-world research projects, gain advanced training, and connect with leaders in the field.
Key Responsibilities
Program Evaluation: Review strategic goals, update logic models, create surveys, and generate evaluation reports.
Community Partnerships & Outreach: Identify community organizations, support outreach events, and assist with education and screening initiatives.
Data Analysis & Reporting: Support data entry, interpretation, and development of dashboards and quarterly reports.
Manuscript & Publication Support: Conduct literature reviews, draft sections of manuscripts, and assist with journal submissions.
Scientific Communication: Create professional presentations for academic and community audiences.
Training & Development
Fellows will receive mentorship and training in:
Research evaluation and communication methods
Academic writing, manuscript preparation, and publication standards
Data visualization and scientific presentation design
Community-based participatory research (CBPR) approaches
Networking with researchers, community partners, and peers
Internship Timeline
Month 1: Orientation, training in manuscript writing, report protocols, and program data review.
Months 2-4: Program evaluation, partnership development, supervised writing, and literature reviews.
Months 5-7: Presentation of evaluation recommendations, manuscript drafting, stakeholder engagement, and report preparation.
Months 8-9: Advanced project completion, final manuscripts, community workshop coordination, and final presentations.
Required Education & Experience
Must be 18 years of age or older.
Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
Must reside in the greater Los Angeles area or surrounding cities while conducting all activities related to the internship or visitor appointment.
Interns: Those participating for academic credit must receive academic credit for the duration of the internship.
Visitors: Must be receiving funding from an eligible sponsoring institution (employer, educator, funder, etc.).
Preferred Education & Experience
CSU student or recent graduate from: CSU San Bernardino, CSU Channel Islands, CSU Dominguez Hills, CSU Long Beach, CSU Los Angeles, CSU Fullerton, CSU Northridge, or Cal Poly Pomona.
Additional Information
Fellows will work with aggregated program evaluation data (not specimens or PHI).
Activities include weekly check-ins with mentors, participation in COE team meetings, and engagement in lecture series and networking events.
The role emphasizes building professional skills in scientific writing, data analysis, and community-based health research.