"I had a wonderful experience as an REU intern at CHOP. Under the mentorship of Dr. Valentina Graci, I learned and applied a novel statistical method to analyze force plate data collected from adolescents who had undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This experience strengthened both my technical skills and my understanding of how biomechanics research can be used to address clinically relevant questions. Everyone in my cohort got along exceptionally well, and we became close through living together, attending weekly seminars, and organizing our own Wednesday activities. One of the highlights of my week was the journal club meetings, where we had the opportunity to learn about each other's research interests while enjoying the free coffee Wednesdays from the first-floor café. The weekly seminars were another highlight of the program. They provided insight into the wide range of research and clinical work taking place across CHOP, exposing us to many different fields and career paths. I especially enjoyed hearing mentors and other CHOP personnel share how they found their way to CHOP and the experiences that shaped their careers. Receiving one-on-one mentorship and learning about their unique career journeys encouraged me to reflect on my own future career path."

Injury Science Research Experiences for Undergraduates Student (Summer 2026)