Research Associate Program

Weill Cornell Medicine’s Emergency Medicine Research Associate Program (RAP) exposes college and post-baccalaureate students to research activities within the emergency medicine setting, specifically at New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medicine (NYP/WCM) and NYP/Lower Manhattan

Hospital (NYP/LMH). Research Associates (RAs) recruit patients to research studies and perform other research-related tasks between the hours of 8:30 AM – 8:30 PM, 7 days a week.

The Research Associate Program is a research program that occurs in a clinical setting. The program is designed to involve Research Associates in many elements of the performance of clinical research, while providing opportunities for observing clinical practice, and for extended interaction with clinical providers and patients. The program provides educational and practical experiences that increase knowledge about clinical research methodology and clinical care and may enhance participant’s application to medical or graduate school. 

Participation in the program requires a minimum commitment of two, 6-hour shifts per week for two consecutive semesters and attendance at scheduled trainings or lectures (2-4 dates per semester). Participation in the program is on a volunteer, unpaid basis.

The program offers Research Associates opportunities in the following three areas:

Clinical Practice

• Interaction with patients through research (e.g., patient recruitment and interviews)
• Interaction with patients through research (e.g., patient recruitment and interviews)
• Observation of interdisciplinary patient care in a dynamic, fast-paced clinical environment at a world-class teaching hospital
• General patient assistance (e.g., providing blankets or water to patients as appropriate)