For high school students considering their future careers, hands-on experience can be a valuable way to discover where their interests might lead. Each year, Chapman University School of Pharmacy (CUSP) welcomes students to its Summer Research Program, where they can explore pharmacy research firsthand – before they’ve even started college.
What is the Summer Research Program?
CUSP’s Summer Research Program is designed for students interested in research and the health sciences. This three-week program gives students an introduction to pharmacy and research through a combination of classroom learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship. They complete a research project, conduct experiments in research labs, learn about pharmacy policies and practices, tour Chapman’s Rinker and Orange campuses, and connect with current students and faculty. The program concludes with a certificate of completion, and students may request a letter of recommendation from their faculty mentors.
From High School Researchers to Pharm.D. Students
Kayla Candiotty, Sydney La, and Kaitlyn Mai are current Pharm.D. students at CUSP, but their journey into pharmacy began with the Summer Research program. For students without prior exposure to the field, knowing what a career in pharmacy could look like isn’t always clear. These three students share
how the program helped them explore the possibilities:
“This program was my first introduction to research,” says Kayla. “Through it, I gained a deeper understanding of the review writing process and learned howto critically summarize while collaborating with a group. One of the most memorable highlights was presenting our findings and producing a mock article!”
For Sydney, a first-year Pharm.D. student, the Summer Research Program was about more than gaining research experience. It was an opportunity to build connections and learn from mentors along the way. Dr. Montazeri, who leads the program, helped make her first experience with research feel approachable.
“The most impactful experience was the mentorship we got from Dr. Montazeri. Since it was my first experience, I was nervous to join a research team but he made it a super easy transition as he coached us through research,” she says. “I also loved meeting like-minded peers in the program – one of them is now one of my best friends and roommate!”
For Kaitlyn, the Summer Research Program helped her explore a career she wasn’t yet sure was right for her. As a high school student, she was interested in health care but wanted to better understand what a career in pharmacy could look like.
“Before participating in the program, I was still unsure if pharmacy was the right profession for me. However, the program opened my eyes to the many different career pathways within pharmacy that I was previously unaware of. I learned about opportunities in industry, managed care, research, community, hospital pharmacy, and many other areas. Seeing the variety of options available opened so many doors for me and helped me realize that pharmacy could offer a career that aligned with my interest in direct patient care,” Kaitlyn says.
Today, all three students are continuing the journey that began with their first research experience as high school students. Their stories show how mentorship, hands-on experience, and early exposure can help students discover where their interests might lead. At CUSP, that exploration can start before college even begins.
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