Research Associates Program (CTSI-RAP)

Research associates are trained to conduct clinical research studies, collect and maintain securitized data, assist in the authorship of research protocols, aid in statistical analyses, and co-author abstracts, posters, and papers. In addition to research, students are exposed to experiences meant to educate and prepare them for a career in healthcare. As a result, research associates become comfortable with the workings of a hospital and gain skills in professionalism, patient communication, and research methodology. 

Program Benefits:

• Clinical Research Experience
• Hospital Volunteer Hours
• Rounding with Attendings
• Observing Procedures
• Opportunity to mentor high school students through partner program UCLA MATCH
• Strong alumni network 160+ 

News Articles and Social Media:

• A decade of research excellence: Alumni spotlight (2023)
• UCLA MATCH inspires high school students across LA (2023)
• CTSI-RAP alumni careers take flight (2021)
• Eight Years Strong: CTSI-RAP Develops Next Gen Clinical Researchers, Undergraduate Research Week and Beyond (2021)
• CTSI-RAP Undergraduate Research Day 2020 Article (2020)
• Need Support on your study? CTSI-RAP students are ready to assist (2019)
• UCLA DGSOM 2019 Dean’s Report Feature (p. 40) (2019)
• CTSI RAP Program Marks Its First Five Years (2018)
• View and like our CTSI-RAP Facebook page!
• Follow our CTSI-RAP Instagram Page!

Neural Biomarker Profiling in Cardiomyopathy Patients Referred for Electrophysiology Study [pending]

PI: Olujimi Ajijola

Study Liaison: pending

RAP Responsibilities: Learn about cardiac conditions and neural biomarkers involved in this study.

Learn about the clinical research process. 

Participate in the consenting process (prepare consent packets and make copies for the patient after consent)

Bring the blood tube to the cath lab. 

Attend the ablation procedure (1 hour maximum) in order to collect the blood tube from the physician. 

Walk the blood tube to the CHS lab technician after it is collected. 

Participate in research conferences/journal club, if interested.

Prepare a posters or summary of the project for the student and/or department research meeting.

Integrated Network for Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving With Bipolar Disorder (BD^2) [IRB 23-5190]

PI: Jennifer Kruse

Study Liaison: Sofia Garza

RAP Responsibilities: 1) Conducting phone screening of potential subjects

2) Preparing recruitment materials, such as recruitment outreach letters

3) Scheduling participants for in-person clinical visits

4) Administration of structured interview and assessment materials

5) Preparation and download of wearable data collection devices

6) Assisting as a Second Safety for MRI scans

7) Assisting project coordinator with remote and in-person patient evaluations (ie: cognitive assessments)

8) Data entry and cleaning

9) Accompanying participants from one campus location to another

10) Transporting blood specimens from one campus location to another

Pediatric Neonatology - Nutrition and Infant Development (Study 1): Metabolic mechanisms induced by enteral DHA and ARA supplementation in preterm infants [IRB 22-001345] (Study 2): Closing the gaps in neonatal nutrition through data science [IRB 21-000379]. 

PI: Kara Calkins, MD

Study Liaison: James Lee

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Collecting detailed nutritional and demographic data along with data about the subject's hospital course from the EMR
• Entering, organizing, and verifying data into a secure database (REDCap) used across our collaborators: UT Health and Cornell
• Attend lab meetings for UCLA and collaborators
• Prepare specimen collection kits and labels for subjects' specimen collections
• Assist with data analysis
• Assist with specimen collections and measurements
• Opportunities are available to formulate and answer research questions with appropriate mentorship; data can be presented in abstracts and manuscripts

Imaging of intraocular inflammation [IRB 19-001732]

PI: Edmund Tsui, MD

Study Liaison: Amber Henny

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Collection of clinical research information
• Observation of procedures
• Transfer of imaging data
• Assisting with creation of REDCap database

Study of ocular disease using hyper parallel OCT [IRB 20-000286]

PI: Edmund Tsui, MD

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Collection of clinical research information
• Observation of procedures
• Transfer of imaging data
• Assisting with creation of REDCap database

Experimental Models of Depression and Aging: anxiety, inflammation, and reward mechanisms [IRB 21-001246]

PI: Chloe Boyle, PhD

Study Liaison: Mona Kurra

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Assist with patient screening (via standardized phone script) and recruitment (sending out letters) at the Cousins Center Call Center
• Administer behavioral tests and questionnaires during experimental appointments and complete mood assessments via phone.
• Assist in fMRI scans as a “safety second” - this will be under the direct supervision of the study PI. This will require the student to be available from 11:40AM-12:50PM on weekdays to attend the scan (the specific day will depend on the scheduling availability at the CTRC). The student will have the opportunity to learn how to conduct fMRI safety screening, set up a participant for a scan, and collect data. The student may also assist in patient transport from the CTRC to CCN for the fMRI scan (and vice versa).
• Participate in bi-weekly journal club/lab meetings; focus will be on study review, preparing abstracts/posters/papers (depending on the level of interest in the student); conducting literature searches (related to anxiety, inflammation, aging, and reward).
• Data analysis and preparation

Alzheimer’s-related inflammation and immunoregulatory deficiency [IRB 18-000434]

PI: Molly Fox, PhD

Study Liaison: Anjali Kalidindi

RAP Responsibilities: Student will abstract relevant information from medical* and dental records of research participants, and input this into our database. This activity will be performed in Dr. Fox’s lab on desktop computers provided. Interested student may also participate in the processing of biological specimens (swabs, blood, saliva) collected from research participants and dropped off at PI’s lab, or conducting phone/zoom consent and interviews with participants and informants.

Pediatric Immunology and Allergies [IRB 19-001413, 20-000897]

PI: Maria Garcia-Loret, MD

Study Liaison: Sohan Talluri

RAP Responsibilities: - Patient recruitment

- Coordinating patient visits

- Participation in the consenting process

- Patient interaction during telephone and physical visits

- Collection of clinical research data

- Data entry and data analysis

- Observation of procedures (food challenges, OIT updosing, etc.)

- Involvement in case conferences and journal clubs

- Write-up of study applications, papers, abstracts, and posters

Universal Consent and AtLAs: UCLA Quality Initiative-Universal Consent for Biological Samples use for Research

PI: Jessica Wang, MD

Study Liaison: James Yu

RAP Responsibilities: Study of clinic workflow

Participant recruitment

Recruitment and enrollment metrics

QUIT MOBILE: mHealth to Enhance & Sustain Drug Use Reductions of the QUIT BI in Primary Care [IRB 20-000088]

PI: Lillian Gelberg, MD and Dallas Swendeman PhD, MPH

Study Liaison: Santhosh Nandakumar

RAP Responsibilities: 

Administrative support and follow-up in patient screening and assessment, such as:

• Entering patient data from EHRs into the study mobile-web system
• Mailing urine drug screen kits to patients
• Mailing study letters to patients
• Texting and emailing patients and PCPs to follow-up on completion of screening and study assessments.
• Similar support will be needed in clinics when covid precautions allow. When the team is recruiting in person, students can help research assistants set up our study outreach table.

As study data is collected, support could be provided in:

• Study data management and cleaning
• Qualitative data coding and analysis of implementation science focused stakeholder discussions of the study and its activities from meeting notes with clinic stakeholders and new potential clinic partner meetings. 

Students might also participate in training and eventually delivery of the telehealth coaching intervention focused on substance use and co-occurring quality of life factors using elements of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavior therapy

Adolescents Trails Network and ATN-CARES [IRB 16-001819]

PI: Dallas Swendeman PhD, MPH

Study Liaison: Miah Chao

RAP Responsibilities: CTSI-RAP students, each week, go through the transcribed interviews and conduct a qualitative analysis on the topic of interest, such as strengths with mental health, in the qualitative research software, Deduce. They read the file, highlight excerpts, and code them to the respective parent, child, and grandchild code that they see fit.

Pediatrics Rare Diseases - Clinical Trial of Leniolisib in APDS for Children [IRB 23-5092 and 22-5030]

PI: Manish Butte, MD, PhD

Study Liaison: Dara Aina

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Attend CTRC visits
• Data Entry
• Regulatory documents

Ophthalmology - Limbal Stem Cell Studies [IRB 19-001056, 10-001601, 21-000609]

PI: Sophie Deng

Study Liaison: Ashley Michel

RAP Responsibilities: - Data collection and management:

• Abstract relevant information from medical records of research participants and input it into

spreadsheets to be reviewed by senior study staff

• Transfer and organization of imaging data (In-vivo confocal microscopy and AS-OCT scans)

· Research activities:

• Guide participants to treatment/evaluation/imaging area

• Verify specimen collection and delivery to lab

• Observation of clinic, imaging, and treatment procedures

• Assist research coordinator with study visits per protocol

•Opportunities are available to formulate and answer research questions with appropriate mentorship

mHealth for Heart Failure: Predictive Models of Readmission Risk and Self-care Using Consumer Activity Trackers- R01 [IRB 19-000399]

PI: Corey Arnold, PhD

Study Liaison: Libby Stafford

RAP Responsibilities: CTSI-RAP students, each week, go through the transcribed interviews and conduct a qualitative analysis on the topic of interest, such as strengths with mental health, in the qualitative research software, Dedoose. They read the file, highlight excerpts, and code them to the respective parent, child, and grandchild code that they see fit.

Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative [IRB 16-002070]

PI: Maryam Belgi, MD

Study Liaison: Jake Ampong

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Assist research coordinator with study visits per protocol.
• Assist with Initiating and maintaining partnerships in the community with underrepresented communities In research to raise awareness and improve access to clinical research studies at e UCLA Easton Center. Assist with recruitment, enrollment of eligible community members, manage and coordinate research participant activities, perform evaluations including cognitive testing, and implement retention strategies.
• Must comp y with Federal Regulations, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and University and Clinical Partner policies as it relates to assigned research protocols.
• Assist with communicating with UCLA IRB, sponsoring agencies, principal investigator(s), other service providers, participants, families, and research team members.
• Assist with timely and accurate data entry and regulatory (IRB) publication (does not include the actual IRB submission); engage with providers and investigators to ensure adequate source documentation is available; assist with maintenance of participant research charts.
• Assist with other supportive activities (e.g., administrative assistance with moving documents for record retention, optimizing workspace for current studies.)

Characterizing the Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis in Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder [IRB 21-001339]

PI: Erica Grodin, PhD

Study Liaison: Grace Sawyer

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Phone screening potential participants
• Scheduling participant visits
• Running behavioral screening visits
• Collecting clinical research data from participants
• Participating in MRI data collection (acting as safety second)
• Assisting with literature searches
• Potential for writing abstracts and posters

Targeted Upstream Prevention (T-UP) Diabetes Prevention [IRB Pending]

PI: Lauren Wisk, PhD

Study Liaison: Ashley Michel

RAP Responsibilities: Participation in the collection of clinical research information (both qualitative and quantitative), observation of procedures, some basic data analysis, write up of abstracts, posters or paper, including literature searches, assisting with outreach materials

Impact of Pandemic on the Lives and Livelihoods of Families in West Bengal, India [IRB 21-001402]

PI: Dallas Swendeman PhD, MPH

Study Liaison: Katarina Scala

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Literature reviews
• Draft manuscript sections for qualitative and quantitative papers
• Draft abstracts using qualitative and quantitative data
• Draft posters for qualitative and quantitative analyses
• Qualitative data analysis (coding using Dedoose software)
• Quantitative data analysis support 

Pediatric ASXL and Biobank Studies [IRB 18-001553, 22-000182]

PI: Bianca Russell, MD

Study Liaison: Amanda Piring

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Participation in the consenting process
• Collection of clinical research information
• Parent interview
• Enter data into database
• Data Analysis
• Helping coordinate study visits

Brown Adipose Tissue Activity in Response to Semaglutide Administered to Obese Subjects [IRB 22-000718]

PI: Preethi Srikanthan, MD

Study Liaison: Nicolette Simoni

RAP Responsibilities: 

Pediatric Sarcoma Liquid Biopsy Program - Coordination and Expansion of Liquid Biopsy Sample Collection Workflows for Pediatric Sarcoma Patients [IRB 19-000857]

PI: Steven Jonas, MD

Study Liaison: Christine Zhang

RAP Responsibilities: Student volunteers will have the following responsibilities: i) Coordinate the collection and consenting process for liquid biopsy samples in the inpatient and outpatient setting. ii) Assist with the annotation of samples used for validation of liquid biopsy technologies at CNSI by chart and imaging review. iii) Serve as a liaison between the laboratory team at CNSI and personnel iv) Collaborate with researchers and clinical staff to support ongoing studies and engage in validation of the team's liquid biopsy technologies.

Cardiology: Study of metabolomics and gene expression correlated with myocardial infarction in patients [IRB 22-001562 or 22-001058]

PI: Jessica Wang, MD

Study Liaison: James Yu

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Study of clinic workflow
• Participant recruitment
• Recruitment and enrollment metrics

Pediatric Neurology: Developmental Synaptopathies Associated with TSC, PTEN, and SHANK3 Mutations [IRB 15-000205]

PI: Rajsekar Rajaraman, MD, MS

Study Liaison: Amanda Piring

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Participation in the consenting process
• Collection of clinical research information
• Parent interview
• Coordinating visits
• Maintaining subject binders
• Observation of procedures (blood draw/EEG)
• Enter data into database

A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Fixed-Dose, Multicenter Study to Examine the Efficacy and Safety of ZX008 in Subjects with CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder Followed by an Open-Label Extension [IRB 22-001758]

PI: Rajsekar Rajaraman, MD, MS

Study Liaison: Kaitlyn Smolens

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Participation in the consenting process
• Collection of clinical research information
• Parent interview
• Coordinating visits
• Maintaining subject binders
• Observation of procedures (blood draw/EEG)
• Enter data into database

OVID: TAK-935 (OV935) as Adjunctive Therapy in Patients with Developmental Epileptic Encephalopathies Including Dravet Syndrome, Lennox Gastaut Syndrome, CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder, and Chromosome 15 Duplication Syndrome (ENDYMION) [IRB 19-001569]

PI: Rajsekar Rajaraman, MD, MS

Study Liaison: Kaitlyn Smolens

RAP Responsibilities: 

• Participation in the consenting process
• Collection of clinical research information
• Parent interview
• Coordinating visits
• Maintaining subject binders
• Observation of procedures (blood draw/EEG)
• Enter data into database

2025 Abstracts – Featured at the virtual 2025 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• Ensuring Diagnostic Accuracy in Activated Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Delta (PI3Kδ) Syndrome
• Examining the Influence of Pregnancy Wantedness on Postpartum Depression and Anxiety Among Latina Women
• Examining the Range of Studies and Clinical Research within UCLA’s CTSI Research Associates Program
• Expanding PrEP Access and Implementation in India: Stakeholders’ Perspectives on the Role of Telehealth in HIV Prevention for Key Populations
• UCLA CTSI Research Associates Program: Connecting Future Professionals With Clinical Research and Healthcare Exposure Opportunities
• Can peripheral inflammation predict birth outcomes in pregnant women?
• Quantification of Anterior Chamber Cells in Children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis-Associated Chronic Anterior Uveitis Using Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography
• Assessing Biologic Adjuvants for Multi-Food Oral Immunotherapy in Allergy Patients
• Hypertriglyceridemia and Very Low Birth Weight Infants
• The Role of Peer Navigation in PrEP Implementation Strategies for Key Populations in India
• Utility of Swept-Source Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography in the Longitudinal Monitoring of HLA-B27-Associated Anterior Uveitis
• Understanding the World Health Organization Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) Scores in QUIT-Mobile Study: An Analysis of Categorical Predictors of Substance Use 

2024 Abstracts – Featured at the virtual 2024 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• Safety and Tolerability in Pediatric Patients Under Age 12
• 2024 RAP General Poster
• Baseline Inflammation is Positively Associated with Recent Drinking in Individuals with an Alcohol Use Disorder
• Characterization of Adaptive Behavior in Individuals with Tuberous Sclerosis and Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5 Deficiency Disorder Using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale - Version 3
• Structural MRI correlates of Cognitive and Neuropsychiatric symptoms in Long-COVID
• Evaluating Epicutaneous Immunotherapy for Peanut Desensitization in Pediatric Allergy Patients

2023 Abstracts – Featured at the virtual 2023 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• UCLA CTSI Research Associates Program: A Clinical Research and Healthcare Sciences Initiative
• Development and Improvement on Thermal Imaging Methods and Technology as a Non-Invasive Measurement of Brown Adipose Tissue Activity in Humans
• A Mobile Health (mHealth) Home Monitoring Regimen to Improve Self-Care Adherence and Health Outcomes Among Heart Failure Patients
• Review of tuberous sclerosis-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND): an analysis of completed TAND-L questionnaires in a UCLA Cohort
• Assessing the Relationship Between Body Image and Sexual Health Risk Factors Among Youth At-Risk or Living with HIV
• “There's a reason we call Whole Foods, WHOLE PAYCHECK": Barriers to Healthy Diet and Exercise Among Youth At-Risk for and Living with HIV

2021 Abstracts - Featured at the virtual 2021 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• Assessing the Reproductive Life History of Women Through Alzheimers Related Inflammation
• Effect of Tai Chi on Quality of Life in Older Adults with Major Depression
• Identifying Variation in Community-Level COVID-19 Case Counts and Health Determinants to Promote Safer Behaviors Amidst the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Reopening
• Impacts of COVID-19 On Chronic Disease Management - A Mixed Methods Study
• Operational Changes in the UCLA-Westwood Clinical Translational Research Center during the COVID-19 Pandemic.pdf
• Reported Impact of COVID-19 on Chronic Mental Health Condition Management
• The Use of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in Clinical and Translational Research Centers (CTRCs)

2020 Abstracts - Virtual presentations featured at the 2020 Virtual Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA (due to the COVID-19 pandemic, abstracts are shared in lieu of poster presentations):

• When Are 3 ECG-Leads Better Than 12? Streamlining and Optimizing ECG Assessment in Sudden Death Prediction
• A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 3 Trial (NCT03785964) of Nirogacestat Versus Placebo In Adult Patients With Progressing Desmoid Tumors/Aggressive Fibromatosis (DT/AF)
• Long-term Outcomes after Gene Therapy for Adenosine Deaminase-deficient Severe Combined Immune Deficiency (ADA-SCID)
• Differences in Inflammatory Response to Endotoxin in Older Adults by Sex
• Assessing the Effect of Cumulative Hydroxychloroquine Dose on Lifetime Disease Damage vs Risk of Retinal Toxicity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients
• UCLA CTSI Research Associates Program: Promoting Clinical Research and Cultivating the Next Generation of Medical Scientists

2019 Posters - Featured at the 2019 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• CTSI RAP - program poster
• Investigation of the Differential Effects of Inflammation and Depression Between Males and Females
• Assessing the Validity of QRISK3 at Predicting Cardiovascular Events in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) Patients
• The Role of Vitamin C in Pediatric Critical Care

2018 Posters - Featured at the 2018 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• CTSI RAP - program poster
• Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies a Novel Candidate Gene in an Ashkenazi Jewish Family with Tetralogy of Fallot
• Lupus Low Disease Activity State: Predicting Organ Damage Accrual and Cardiovascular Risk in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

2017 Posters - Featured at the 2017 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• CTSI RAP Poster: Building Future Leaders in Clinical Research
• The Copper Touch Project: Implementing Antimicrobial Surfaces to Reduce Hospital-Acquired Infections

2016 Posters - Featured at the 2016 Undergraduate Research Day at UCLA:

• CTSI RAP Poster (includes summaries on multiple projects)