Radiology and Imaging Sciences Scholars (RaISS) Program
Radiology and Imaging Sciences Scholars (RaISS) Program
The Radiology and Imaging Sciences Scholars (RaISS) Program, is a new program at the UC Davis Department of Radiology designed to bring meaningful experiences to community college and early undergraduate students interested in possible careers in the medical field. Its aims are to inspire and empower students coming from communities traditionally under-represented in the fields of medicine and science, encouraging them to envision themselves in medical and STEM careers, particularly in radiology and the imaging sciences. The program offers exposure to clinical and research opportunities, along with essential support for skills development, mentorship, and community building. Through these experiences, students can explore pre-med opportunities which otherwise might be difficult to access or even unknown to them and their communities.
The program’s goals are not only to cultivate interest in radiology and imaging science and introduce the UC Davis Radiology program to students, but to help eliminate barriers that can keep many promising students from pursuing and participating in critical STEM fields. By offering these students an immersive hands-on experience, networking opportunities, research and academic resources, and the guidance needed to consider careers in health care and STEM, we can work towards reducing health disparities and creating a healthcare system that is truly inclusive and equitable for all individuals and communities.
Mentorship: Each scholar will be paired with at least one UC Davis Radiology Department member for career mentorship.
STEM-Engagement: Scholars will be coached on and engage in a six-month long imaging science project (time commitment each week to be worked out between scholar and mentor/advisor), which may be focused in one of the following areas:
- Information Technology/Computer Science
- Environmental Sciences
- Physics/Physical Sciences
- Biological Science/Chemistry
- Patient Safety, Engagement and Quality Improvement
Networking: Throughout the course of the program, scholars will be provided opportunities to network with mentoring faculty and with other scholars.
Program Start Date: June 1, 2024
Program End Date: November 30, 2024
Length of Program (in Weeks): 24
Hours per Week: Two to four for non-research-oriented experiences but no more than ten hrs/week for research-oriented experiences, as per discussion between scholar and mentor.
- Participate in clinical and/or research for six months.
- Participant time commitment based on discussion with mentors — two to eight hours per week (i.e. one half to one workday per week) on average.
- Monthly cohort online discussion/lunch-and-learn with Q-and-A with one of the mentors.
- Each participant has a “buddy” that is a peer coach that they meet with monthly.
- Each participant picks one other (secondary) experience/exposure that they want to visit during the six months.
- Each participant picks a project (research project or clinical application/exploration) to complete in the six months, based on one of the five areas of focus; may pair up on a project if desired.
- Attendance in seminars and noon lectures.
- Be currently enrolled at a partner California community college or up to a Sophomore-credit equivalent in an undergraduate program
- Minimum GPA of 2.5/4.0
- Completed the following coursework in college studies (unofficial transcripts will be submitted with your application):
- At least one course in Human Anatomy, Biology, or Physiology, with lab component
- At least one course in Chemistry, with lab
- At least one course in Mathematics (College Algebra or higher)
- At least on course in Written Communication/Writing
- Clearance as per Radiology observership guidelines
Felipe Godinez at fgodinez@ucdavis.edu or Peggy Orlando at porlando@ucdavis.edu