Video summary

CRD Info Session 2026

Main summary

Key takeaways

Educational

Main ideas and concepts

  • Welcome to the CRD (Center for Research and Discovery) for 2026–2027

    • The session introduces how CRD supports students in finding:
      • research opportunities
      • mentorship
      • research-related skill development
    • Research experiences don’t follow a single linear path—students can build research skills through many different settings.

  • Why participate in research

    • CRD positions research as a high-impact practice with benefits that extend beyond the lab:
      • Greater likelihood to graduate
      • Increased confidence in abilities
      • Greater likelihood to pursue graduate training
      • Ongoing benefits into students’ professional practice after training

  • CRD’s approach: access + mentorship

    • CRD aims to provide resources and access so research becomes “real and accessible.”
    • A first step for students is finding a faculty mentor through CRD’s website.

Methodology / process and how-to instructions

How to get involved in research (using the CRD website)

  1. Visit the CRD website (shared as mcphscrd).
  2. Navigate to: “Students: How to get involved” → “Find a mentor.”
  3. Use the faculty research-matching database:
    • Faculty listed have indicated willingness to mentor students in specific topics.
    • A faculty name does not guarantee mentoring availability this semester (capacity/grants may limit availability), but they are open to conversation.
  4. Choose a research topic you’re interested in.
  5. Click the faculty member’s name:
    • Use the listed email to contact them.
    • Review any CV/profile excerpts to understand their background.
  6. Before emailing:
    • Look up the faculty member’s research (e.g., using CRD/library resources and publications) to understand the current state of the science.
  7. Contact them to ask about:
    • Office hours
    • How/when you can set up an appointment
  8. If you want to move forward, ask whether they can support:
    • Student involvement in active projects
    • Pathways into mini-grant opportunities

CRD Mini Grants (application guidance + compliance steps)

  • What mini grants provide

    • Up to $3,000 for mentored student research.

  • Team structure rules

    • One student applies (one student completes the application), even if multiple students are involved.
    • Include other students’ information within the application.
    • Team setups may include:
      • One mentor with a pair of student(s)
      • Multiple students working with one mentor
      • Teams involving students working with more than one mentor

  • Mentor requirement

    • Must work directly with a faculty mentor who supports:
      • the application process
      • developing the research protocol

  • Compliance steps (depend on research type)

    • Human subjects/populations → IRB approval
    • Laboratory-based → safety committee approval
    • Animals → IACUC approval (referred to as “Ayakook” in subtitles)

  • Application materials

    • The meeting invitation includes two attachments:
      • the questions you answer in the application
      • the budget form you submit

  • Deadlines and conferences

    • Applications are due October 1 (this year).
    • Funding can act as a stepping stone to larger work (e.g., master’s/doctoral) and/or to present at CRD conferences:
      • Manchester conference: November 10
      • Boston & Worcester conferences: October 2027

  • Application behavior emphasis

    • Follow instructions exactly (character limits, required sections, mentor statement, budget, etc.).
    • Missing required components can result in not being considered.

How to apply for Student Advisory Board (SAB)

  • SAB role summary

    • A CRD team responsible for planning events across campuses (Boston, Worcester, Manchester), including:
      • mentoring events and programs
      • dementia sensitivity training support
      • networking meetings
      • internship/volunteer fairs
      • panels
      • resume and LinkedIn workshops
      • major support for the annual student research conference
      • speaker series support

  • Role logistics

    • Hybrid: weekly Zoom meetings + flexible remote work; some in-person support depending on campus.
    • 100% remote is not possible (hybrid required).
    • Minimum expectation:
      • Attend the weekly Zoom meeting (always on Zoom), or
      • Watch the recording afterward

  • In-person requirement

    • Boston-based SAB members generally must be available for the annual research conference in April, with exceptions for presenters.

  • Weekly / ongoing expectations

    • Submit time sheets weekly
    • Attend weekly meeting or watch recording
    • Communicate with leadership if you can’t attend
    • Respond to leadership/department correspondences within 48 hours
      • with holiday/weekend/university-closure exceptions
    • Attend assigned events
    • Provide consistent updates and feedback
    • Complete required forms/requests by deadlines

  • Expected weekly time

    • Typical semester: 3–5 hours/week
    • Busy periods (e.g., conference planning): up to ~20 hours/week

  • Skills sought

    • Teamwork
    • Communication/transparency
    • Supportiveness to the team
    • Creative thinking / fresh ideas for engaging students

  • Application details

    • SAB annual hiring
    • Application due September 22
    • Decision timeline:
      • expect patience due to volume (last year: 200+ applications)
      • aim for decisions within a couple of weeks after group interviews
    • Application structure:
      • centralized via link tree (linked during the session)

Key dates and deadlines mentioned

  • SAB applications close: September 22
  • CRD mini grant applications due: October 1
  • Manchester research conference: November 10
  • Boston & Worcester research conferences: October 2027
  • CRD speaker series / other events: ongoing; students encouraged to propose interests

Training and events promoted

  • Skills-based course series (open to all students, not only grant recipients)

    • Excel and R track (Worcester and Manchester start; described as multi-week sequences)
    • Online asynchronous PowerBI course available later in the semester for all campuses
    • Research poster design session (to support upcoming conferences)
    • Python session piloted in Boston; hoped to run again
    • Certificates of completion for participants

  • Dementia simulation training

    • Helps students understand challenges faced by individuals with memory/cognitive deficits
    • Students should watch for email updates about the simulation

Additional opportunities and resources highlighted

  • CRD monthly speaker series
    • Students should share interests so CRD can recruit relevant experts
  • Networking events
  • Partnerships and community engagement
    • Collaboration with Acton Boxboro HOSA
    • “Kirapppondents” program: mentorship/leadership involvement with high school students
  • Community service/volunteering pathways through CRD partnerships
  • CRD publishes a summer opportunities list (last year: ~250 opportunities)

Speakers / sources featured

  • Dr. Griffin
    • Professor of public health
    • Dean of the Center for Research and Discovery
  • Emma Bakarsski / Emma Bowsku
    • President of the Student Advisory Board (SAB)
    • Leads SAB application/role overview (name appears differently in subtitles, but she is the SAB president described in-role)

Mentioned/acknowledged contributors and leadership (not main speakers in the session)

  • Dr. Caroline Zen (Associate Provost)
  • Dia Anderson (Associate Provost)
  • Campus champions:
    • Dr. Emma Futhy
    • Dr. Sonia Davis
    • Dr. Matt Mechaf
    • Professor Jeff Hill
    • Dr. Heidi Robertson
  • Student advisory board members:
    • Ariana Grant (vice president; mentioned)
  • Support/adjunct faculty and supporters:
    • Professor Vita Damsky
    • Professor Jaclyn Hua
  • Program leader mentioned:
    • Professor Steve Crosby (leads summer undergraduate research fellowship program in School of Pharmacy Boston)

CRD website and email addresses referenced as information sources

  • CRD website accessed via mcphscrd
  • CRD@mcphs.edu for research conference related contact
  • (Chat message) SAB link tree for centralized applications/resources

Original video