The Discovery Research Hub at UCSF is a partnership between the Discovery initiative at UC Berkeley and the Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care at UCSF to offer undergraduate students research and internship opportunities in the field of perioperative care, for undergraduate students led by program directors, postdocs, and faculty at UCSF.
Background
Since its pilot in the Spring of 2025, Discovery’s partnership with UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care has supported nine undergraduate students, paired in teams with 3 different UCSF Faculty/PI placements to-date.
UCB Students are gaining experience in the following areas:
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Clinical Research Coordination: Coordinate and manage clinical research protocols, ideal for students pursuing healthcare careers. Scholars gain hands-on experience supporting perioperative, critical care, and pain medicine studies.
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Neuroscience Research: Explore neuroscience and brain development while gaining hands-on experience with advanced research techniques.
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Mixed-Methods Research : Conduct qualitative and mixed-methods research to develop system-level interventions that enhance clinician and biomedical scientist well-being.
General Program Structure
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Application Timeline: Applications for UCSF-Discovery Undergraduate Research Scholar positions vary based on host site needs.
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Year-Round Activities: During the fall, spring, and summer, students collaborate closely with UCSF clinical research coordinators, researchers, and M.D.-Ph.D. mentors to contribute to ongoing research projects.
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Research Symposium: The program culminates in an invitation to present work in a UC Berkeley undergraduate research showcase as well as a UCSF Anesthesia Research Day symposium in December where students are invited to attend and present.
Increasing Access through Funding
To support undergraduate researchers in accessing opportunities, the program partners with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to leverage Learning Aligned Employment Program (LAEP) and Work-Study funding, helping to eliminate financial barriers to participation.
About the UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care
UCSF Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Care’s mission is excellence in patient-centered care that is guided by innovative research, education, and our commitment to health equity. Their vision is to advance perioperative care by cultivating the next generation of diverse leaders in the field, which makes working with UC Berkeley undergraduates through the department relevant to their mission.
Within the department, the Clinical Research Core provides support to principal investigators in clinical trial administration, clinical research coordinator support, statistical analysis, and data management. The Core consists of a clinical research supervisor, clinical research coordinators (CRCs), and statisticians. The Core also provides guidance to principal investigators regarding hiring, recruiting, onboarding and training of clinical research coordinators, and is engaging our undergraduates in a pilot experience within this program.
In partnership with:
