Introduction to Brown Virtual Lab Summer Research

Research

Summer

Research Title:
Engaging Stakeholders and Advancing Research in Cardio-Oncology: Student Contributions to Innovation, ECG Risk Analysis, and Experiential Mentorship Models

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Overview of Student Role – Summer 2025

Each student who engages in summer research with us at My Heart Opulence LLC (Heart Innovation and Equity Research Institute) will join Dr. Sherry-Ann Brown, a physician scientist and cardiologist whose research focuses on digital health, stakeholder engagement, and cardiovascular outcomes in everyone, and especially in cancer survivors.

This opportunity offers immersive exposure to research-in-progress—centered on ethical innovation, qualitative analysis, and mentorship in virtual research environments. The student will contribute meaningfully to active scholarly manuscripts and collaborate with a team of fellow trainees.

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Core Areas of Involvement

The student will work primarily on one of the following two defined projects, with the potential to instead support one of two alternative manuscripts:

1. Stakeholder Engagement in Cardio-Oncology Innovation
• Review, organize, and analyze notes from prior stakeholder conversations (e.g., patients, caregivers, clinicians)
• Conduct background literature reviews to inform manuscript development
• Participate in the writing and structuring of scholarly deliverables

2. Brown Virtual Lab Publication
• Assist in developing a manuscript describing the Brown Virtual Lab model for remote experiential learning in research
• Contribute content describing the structure, ethics, and impact of virtual mentorship
• Support editorial work and visual or narrative framing

3. (Alternative) ECG Risk Prediction Manuscript
• Contribute background research on ECG-based cardiovascular risk in cancer survivors
• Support manuscript components where appropriate to skill level and timing

4. (Alternative) Cardio-Oncology Registry Epidemiology Manuscript
• Assist with literature review, narrative framing, and epidemiologic context for a registry-based manuscript
• May include basic support with data visuals or descriptive tables

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Research Methods and Activities May Include
• Narrative and structured literature reviews
• Thematic preparation of qualitative data
• Draft writing, editing, and figure review
• Supporting citations, references, or formatting
• Optional abstract or poster contributions
• Review of all special issues in relevant journals to help select the appropriate journals for submission
• Reaching out to journals to determine which may be a great fit for each article, including inquiring about publication charges and aiming for no article charge

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Mentorship Model

Students in the research lab are primarily mentored by other students, creating a collaborative, peer-guided environment that encourages shared growth and leadership. All trainees are additionally mentored directly by Dr. Sherry-Ann Brown, who provides oversight, professional development, and guidance for all research and publication efforts.

This layered mentorship structure reinforces the values of academic community, autonomy, and structured support.

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Research Focus

Will the work primarily involve literature reviews or other forms of data analysis?
Yes, the work involves both. Literature review serves as the foundation for all manuscript projects, and some roles may involve basic data preparation, thematic coding, or support with visual presentation of results.

Will I be assigned a specific project?
Yes. Students will be directly assigned to one of the following two projects:
• The stakeholder engagement manuscript
• The Brown Virtual Lab publication

Based on skill level, interest, and timing, students may also assist with one of the following two alternative manuscripts:
• The ECG risk manuscript
• The cardio-oncology registry epidemiology manuscript

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Conclusion

This summer role is an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to academic research in a supportive, peer-mentored environment. It is designed to promote growth in research skills, scholarly communication, and ethical collaboration, all while supporting impactful work in cardio-oncology and medical education.

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My Heart Opulence LLC (Heart Innovation and Equity Research Institute)