Emily Monfort, COL ’26, Valley Stream, NY
The only exposure I had to research before this summer was in high school, when I took AP Research which, let’s be honest, barely counts in the world of clinical research, let alone medical school applications. By the time I was a junior in college, I felt a little behind compared to many pre-med students who already had research experiences under their belt. Finding an opportunity that both excited me and was open to taking a chance on someone with minimal experience felt almost impossible. Prayerfully seeking out an opportunity, I had the privilege of coming across and being selected to join the Division of Diabetes and Endocrinology at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia as a Clinical Research Assistant this summer.
In this role, I was actively involved in screening and recruiting patients for a variety of research studies. These studies focused on type 1 and type 2 diabetes, with the goal of finding innovative ways to help patients manage and treat their conditions. What surprised me most was how much I enjoyed the patient interaction side of the job. Research might sound like hours of staring at spreadsheets (and, yes, there was some of that), but I quickly realized it’s also about building trust with families and helping them feel comfortable saying yes to being part of a study. Through this work, I gained a deeper appreciation for the role research plays in advancing medicine and improving patient care, and maybe also for the art of explaining complicated protocols in plain English.
I also had the opportunity to attend and contribute to weekly research meetings, which opened my eyes to just how complex the research process can be. Spoiler alert: research is not just about writing a long paper. We took on studies happening both at CHOP and in collaboration with other hospitals and organizations, and my role often involved helping recruit patients for those studies. One of the projects I contributed to was a chart review examining the use of GLP-1 medications. It was intriguing to see how these medications are changing the way clinicians approach treatment, and it was exciting to know that the work I was helping with might one day contribute to the next big step forward in medicine.
One of the most inspiring parts of my summer was working alongside the research coordinators. Their expertise in research was evident, and they welcomed me into the process by allowing me to witness and even assist with aspects beyond recruitment, such as protocol review and creating documentation for clinical visits. I saw firsthand that there are both successes and setbacks in research, yet the team approached every challenge with determination and collaboration. They actively sought out solutions, turning obstacles into opportunities for growth. Watching their problem-solving and dedication to both patients and research was motivating, demonstrating the impact of persistence and teamwork in this field.
This experience was incredibly meaningful to me as a pre-medical student with aspirations of becoming a pediatrician. I not only strengthened my understanding of diabetic-related conditions, but also discovered a growing interest in research. The skills I developed such as patient communication, data collection, and critical analysis will serve me well in my future career. I feel fortunate to be able to continue working in this position during the academic year and to contribute to a manuscript for publication. This summer reaffirmed my passion for medicine, while also opening the door to new possibilities in clinical research.
This is part of a series of posts by recipients of the 2025 Career Services Summer Funding Grant. We’ve asked funding recipients to reflect on their summer experiences and talk about the industries in which they spent their summer. You can read the entire series here
