Project Mentor
Dr. Sherry Pagoto
Department: Allied Health Sciences
Project Overview:
We are conducting an NIH-funded randomized controlled trial comparing two versions of telehealth-delivered obesity management programs.
Role of a SHARE Summer Apprentice:
Summer apprentices would join our data management team to extract data from online platforms, conduct quality control checks on data, and otherwise support the data manager. They will also provide support to the research coordinator in tasks such as recruitment, intervention, and attendance/engagement tracking. Apprentices may also be asked to help with activities in the UConn Center for mHealth and Social Media. Apprentices will attend weekly lab and data team meetings, all of which are conducted remotely. Apprentices will learn data management and quality control skills, clinical trial methods and procedures, behavioral interventions, and how research teams work. The apprentice may be involved in other projects including a pilot trial of an online obesity management program for LGBTQ adults and a survey study on how AI chatbots are used for therapy.
Summer Schedule/Time Commitment:
It is preferred that apprentices are available to attend virtual lab meetings on Monday mornings. Hours can be flexible, but some hours should be during the day so that you are available to communicate with other team members. Apprentices will be asked to log weekly hours and communicate their schedule to the research coordinator and graduate assistants who are supervising them. All work can be conducted remotely.
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred qualifications include coursework in research methods and academic interest in health promotion, public health, health psychology, nutrition, exercise science, healthcare, or related fields.
To Apply:
The application opens on Monday, March 2, 2026. Click here to submit an online application for this SHARE apprenticeship through the Quest Portal. The application deadline is Monday, March 30, 2026, at 11:59pm.
Click here to view an outline of the general application questions. In addition to the general questions, applicants for this apprenticeship will be asked the following question:
- Please describe why you are interested in research and if you have had any prior research experiences (750 words maximum).
Please note:
All students hired for a SHARE Summer apprenticeship must complete a federal I-9 form and present original documents in person to OUR staff as part of the hiring process. Visit this U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services page for more information about acceptable documents. You cannot begin working until this is complete. Students are encouraged to plan ahead for this. For example, if you are going home for spring break, consider bringing original documents back to campus with you.