University Hospitals Celebrates Graduates of the 2026 Health Services Research Center Summer Scholar Program

UH Research & Education Institute

The University Hospitals Health Services Research Center (HSRC) celebrated the graduation of 15 students from its 2026 Summer Scholar Research Program on July 17, 2026, recognizing the completion of a six-week immersive experience in health services research. Representing 13 academic institutions across Connecticut, Illinois, Kansas, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, the scholars conducted mentored research, explored careers in medicine and public health, and presented projects addressing real-world healthcare challenges. 

Designed to introduce aspiring healthcare professionals to health services research, the program provides opportunities to explore careers in medicine, public health and healthcare delivery science while pursuing individual and team-based research projects. Through educational seminars, career journey presentations and faculty mentorship, scholars gained firsthand insight into how research informs evidence-based care, advances innovation and improves patient outcomes.

This year's class included five high school students, five undergraduate students and five medical students united by a shared interest in medicine, research and scientific discovery. Throughout the summer, scholars developed research skills, expanded their professional networks and learned from leading physician-scientists and researchers.

"The Summer Scholar Research Program is about much more than introducing students to research," says Samudragupta Bora, PhD, Founding Director of HSRC and Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "It helps students understand how research can improve patient lives, strengthen healthcare systems and advance health equity. Our goal is to create experiences that inspire students to become future leaders in medicine, research and healthcare innovation."

A Nationally Competitive Program

Designed as a launchpad for future careers in academic medicine and health services research, the program combines intensive mentorship, hands-on research experience and exposure to diverse academic and professional pathways. Through faculty-guided projects, scholars explored questions related to healthcare quality, access, outcomes and delivery.

HSRC received more than 80 applications from students representing over 50 colleges, universities and high schools nationwide. Fifteen scholars were selected through a highly competitive admissions process, reflecting the program's growing national reputation.

"While our scholars are at the center of the program, it takes an extraordinary team to create this experience," says Dr. Bora. "Building and sustaining a nationally competitive educational program requires the collective commitment of faculty, mentors and staff dedicated to developing future clinicians, researchers and healthcare leaders."

Learning the Foundations of Health Services Research

Each week began with the Research Methods learning module, where scholars were introduced to the principles and practice of health services research by an interdisciplinary team of faculty educators. Core instructors included David Sheyn, MD; Sam Rodgers-Melnick, PhD; Samudragupta Bora, PhD; Varun Sundaram, MD, PhD; and Weichuan Dong, PhD.

Career Journey presentations by Andrew Pieper, MD, PhD; Ighovwerha Ofotokun, MD, MSc; Jennifer Villwock, MD; Molly McVoy, MD; and Sepideh Amin-Hanjani, MD offered candid perspectives on careers in academic medicine and research, highlighting the importance of mentorship, resilience and lifelong learning.

Additional presentations by Faezeh Sodagari, MD, and Kevin Makino, MD, PhD demonstrated how health services research can inform clinical decision-making, improve care delivery and enhance patient outcomes.

During weekly book club sessions, scholars discussed To Repair the World: Paul Farmer Speaks to the Next Generation. These conversations encouraged reflection on health equity, servant leadership and the responsibility of pairing scientific excellence with compassion and humility.

Health Solutions for Impact Fosters Innovation and Entrepreneurship

One of the program's signature experiences was the Health Solutions for Impact curriculum, developed and led by Charu Ramanathan, PhD, a successful serial health entrepreneur. Through weekly sessions, scholars learned design thinking, problem-solving and entrepreneurial approaches to addressing complex healthcare challenges.

Working in interdisciplinary teams, participants developed innovative solutions to real-world healthcare problems and presented their ideas during a culminating pitch competition. The experience challenged scholars to think creatively while considering implementation, stakeholder engagement and scalability.

Mentorship at the Core of the Program

A defining feature of the HSRC Summer Scholar Research Program is its emphasis on personalized mentorship. Each scholar worked closely with a faculty mentor throughout the six-week experience, strengthening research skills while gaining insight into careers in academic medicine and research.

Projects addressed a broad range of clinical, public health and healthcare delivery challenges, illustrating how research can generate evidence to improve patient outcomes and strengthen healthcare systems. Faculty mentors included Gareth Kantor, MD; Helen Long, PhD, CCC-SLP; Joseph Kohne, MD, MSc; Kevin Makino, MD, PhD; Molly McVoy, MD; Samudragupta Bora, PhD; and Stacy Miner, RN, PhD.

The program culminated with a research symposium and graduation ceremony where scholars presented their work to faculty mentors, healthcare leaders, family members and peers.

Research Presentations

Research topics reflected the breadth of health services research, spanning mental health, maternal and child health, adolescent wellbeing, chronic disease, healthcare innovation, medical education and population health.

• Alex Fritz, Solon High School, Ohio
  Snooze or Lose: Sleep and Academic Performance Among Middle School Students
• Asha Gandreti, Cornell University, New York
  Maternal Consumption of Artificially Sweetened Beverages During Pregnancy and the Risk of Preterm Birth
• Avery Butler, Miami University, Ohio
  The Effects of Nutritional Interventions on Growth, Bone Health and Quality of Life in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review
• Ayona Borthakur, Avon High School, Connecticut
  Know Your Chest: A Male Breast Cancer Awareness Initiative
• Ella Burns, Villanova University, Pennsylvania
  Substance Use Risk and Mental Health Symptoms in Adolescents
• Gavin Muni, The Ohio State University, Ohio
  Reducing Diagnostic Delays in Autoimmune Diseases: A Native EHR and Rapid Referral Pathway
• Hadia Ali, Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, Kansas
  Bridging the Postpartum Gap: An Intervention for Low-Income Women with Postpartum Depression
• Josephine Lam, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Ohio
  Developmental Care Interventions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes Following Preterm Birth: An Umbrella Review
• Maxwell Kelly, Northwestern University, Illinois
  Title I Urban Schools and Depression Scores Among Middle School Students
• Mitch Bollinger, The Ohio State University, Ohio
  ADHD and Its Academic Effects
• Naomi Martinez, West Geauga High School, Ohio
  Can Immune and Inflammatory Biomarkers Identify Biologically Distinct Autism Subgroups?
• Natalie Kellon, University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Ohio
  Respiratory Outcomes Following Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy in Patients With and Without Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Retrospective TriNetX Study
• Olivia Masse, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Ohio
  Creation of a Developmental Toolkit for Neonatal Follow-Up to Train Nurses in the NICU Setting in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Sameer Parashar, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Ohio
  Does the Type of Screen Time Matter for Adolescents?
• Taraji Boyd, Lincoln West High School, Ohio
  Atopic Dermatitis

Scholars Reflect on a Transformative Experience

For many participants, the program expanded their understanding of academic medicine and research while helping clarify future career goals.

"Working alongside Dr. Kohne, I had the opportunity to lead an independent retrospective research project," says Natalie Kellon. "From developing research questions to overcoming challenges throughout the process, I gained invaluable experience in clinical research, critical thinking and scientific communication."

Gavin Muni credits his mentorship experience with reshaping how he thinks about healthcare innovation.

"Dr. Makino taught me that successful healthcare innovation is not just about developing new ideas but designing solutions that fit seamlessly into clinical practice," he says. "I learned to narrow complex healthcare challenges into focused, measurable interventions while considering the needs of patients, clinicians and health systems."

"This experience made me more open to prsuing a research career and exposed me to new ideas and experiences that I had not previously encountered," says Taraji Boyd.

Preparing Tomorrow's Healthcare Leaders

The HSRC Summer Scholar Research Program provides far more than research experience. Through hands-on projects, faculty mentorship, professional development opportunities and exposure to leaders in medicine and healthcare delivery science, scholars gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to pursue future academic and professional opportunities.

"Programs like the Summer Scholar Program represent an investment in the future of healthcare," says Dr. Bora. "This year's scholars demonstrated exceptional curiosity, dedication and a willingness to embrace complex challenges. We are proud of what they accomplished in just six weeks and look forward to seeing how they apply these experiences as future clinicians, researchers and healthcare leaders."

As the 2026 Summer Scholar Research Program concludes, HSRC remains committed to expanding access to research training opportunities and preparing the next generation of clinicians, scientists and healthcare leaders. The accomplishments of this year's scholars demonstrate the impact of mentorship, opportunity and discovery and reflect the promise of a new generation committed to improving health and healthcare through research, innovation and service.