The Academic Associate Program in the Department of Emergency Medicine at North Shore University Hospital at Manhasset is a year-round, clinically-based research program, dedicated to preparing premedical students for careers in healthcare while helping to meet the needs of Emergency Medicine faculty and residents. Academic Associates are full-time employees with a variety of research, academic and administrative responsibilities. During their 1-year tenure, Academic Associates will have the opportunity to present research findings at both state and national emergency medicine conferences. Our seven new Associates were selected from a pool of over 100 competitive applicants from all over the country.

Academic Associates assist emergency medicine faculty and residents in many aspects of the research process, and they have become the focal point of the Department of Emergency Medicine’s research infrastructure. Since the program’s inception in 1999, research output has increased, with the Academic Associates involved in several aspects of the research process including literature search and retrieval, identification of potential funding opportunities, grant application preparation, IRB proposal preparation, patient recruitment, data management, and scholarly writing support. It is also the Academic Associates’ responsibility to oversee the undergraduate Volunteer Research Internship Program, which is active throughout the academic year. Under the direction of the Senior Research Director, the Academic Associates are responsible for educating, training and managing the Research Interns, who are pre-health students recruited to fulfill research-based functions.

Click here to download the Academic Associate recruitment flyer.

If you would like to apply to become an Academic Associate for the 2010-2011 academic year, please e-mail a recent resume/CV, a cover letter and an unofficial transcript to Sue Hahn, BS at shahn1@nshs.edu, Lauren Houdek, BS at lhoudek@nshs.edu, Richard Tan, BA at rtan2@nshs.edu or Mary Frances Ward, RN, MS, ANP at mward@nshs.edu.

2009 – 2010 Emergency Medicine Academic Associates

Elizabeth Barton, BA

Libby, a native of New Hampshire, graduated cum laude this May from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine with a BA in Chemistry, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.  Both during the summer of 2008 and her senior year, she carried out a collaborative honors project for Chemistry and Physiology that investigated the role of neuropeptides in crustacean species, particularly the lobster.  When she was not in the lab or in class, she could be found on the golf course or on the lacrosse field serving as captain for both of these teams.  She is a sports buff and likes watching SportsCenter.  Libby is currently applying to medical school for matriculation in the fall of 2010.

Jenna Cottral, BA

Jenna graduated summa cum laude from Saint Louis University with a BA in Theological Studies and a minor in Biology. During her college tenure, she was elected to Golden Key International Honor Society and “Who's Who Among Students In American Universities and Colleges.” As a student, she took part in geriatric clinical research and worked for the Department of Health on a CDC-funded cross-sectional study that assessed risk behaviors, use of testing facilities and access to prevention services among persons at high risk for HIV infection. In addition, Jenna served as a teaching assistant and tutor for the Allied Health curriculum and volunteered at a public health clinic. She is most passionate about people, current affairs, international public health – particularly HIV/AIDS, asking questions, exploring New York City and social justice issues. Jenna is currently applying to medical school for matriculation in the fall of 2010.

Kirstie Fung, BS

Kirstie graduated with College and University Honors from Carnegie Mellon University with a BS in Biological Sciences and Psychology.  Kirstie was recognized by the biological sciences department for Outstanding Undergraduate Research and Outstanding Academic Achievement and is a member of Psi Chi.  To supplement her academics, Kirstie has conducted research at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute (Hillman Cancer Center) and volunteered at the Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC.  During her senior year, she also completed a senior honors thesis on health behaviors of patients with type 2 diabetes and their spousal relationship.  She also participated in an internship with Global Service Corps in Thailand.  During her free time, Kirstie enjoys playing volleyball, skiing, and traveling.

Sue Hahn, BS

Sue graduated with honors from Brown University with a BS in Biology and a concentration in Cell and Molecular Biology. In her senior year, Sue completed her senior honors thesis research entitled “Zinc-Finger Nuclease-mediated Homologous Recombination,” which focused on increasing the efficiency of a novel reverse genetics transformation system. While attending Brown, Sue was elected to Sigma Xi and was president of a hip-hop dance group. Sue’s hobbies include dancing and choreographing, shooting pool, snowboarding, dining and watching films. During her year as an Academic Associate, Sue will be applying to medical school for matriculation in Fall 2010.

Lauren Houdek, BS

Lauren graduated summa cum laude from Ithaca College with a BS in biology and was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi.  In college, Lauren founded a chapter of Unite for Sight on campus, an organization dedicated to providing eye care to the community and eliminating preventable blindness worldwide. Additionally, during her senior year she developed an Honors Thesis examining the expression of nitric oxide synthase in guinea pig cardiac tissue. In her free time Lauren enjoys singing, playing the piano, running, and dancing. She is currently applying to medical school for the 2010 - 2011 academic year.

David Ozimek, BA

Dave is new to Long Island this year after being born and raised in South Windsor, Connecticut. He graduated cum laude from Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont with a BA in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry. He received high honors for his senior thesis entitled “Antioxidant enzyme activities and steroid hormone concentrations within the follicular fluid of individual developing antral follicles.” Throughout his college career he mentored a local youth and was active in residential life on campus. Dave always enjoys reading and in the winter he loves to ski. During his tenure as an Academic Associate, Dave will be applying to medical school in the hopes of matriculating in Fall 2010.

Richard Tan, BA

Rich, a New York City native, graduated from Columbia College with a BA in Biochemistry. He concluded his senior year researching transcription factor binding to the GATA-4 element on COS cells. Prior to transferring to North Shore University Hospital, he conducted clinical research under Dr. David H. Newman’s Academic Associate program at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital. In addition, he enjoyed serving his time as a teaching assistant and tutor for general chemistry laboratory – an extension of his devotion to the educational aspect of medicine. During his free time, he takes satisfaction in reading Batman graphic novels, performing magic effects, exercising as a member of the DCH Dragon Boat Racing Club, and appreciating the positive elements of his experiences on a daily basis.

The following is the contact information for the Academic Associates: