Internship Opportunities at ALS Performance Research Foundation

At the ALS Performance Research Foundation, we are driven by our mission to provide evidence-based support using technology that can improve the outcomes and patient care for individuals with ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis). As part of this mission, we are proud to offer hands-on internship opportunities for students and recent graduates interested in contributing to cutting-edge scientific research while gaining invaluable lab experience.

A Commitment to Learning and Discovery

Our internship program is designed with learning at its core. Interns work alongside experienced researchers and/or medical professionals to contribute meaningfully to ongoing study to monitor the level of electrophysiological signals and muscles performance characteristics of ALS patients. Whether you're planning a career in medicine, research, data science, exercise kinesiology or life sciences an internship with us offers the chance to deepen your scientific knowledge while being part of a passionate and collaborative team.

What to expect from the Internship -

  • Real-World Lab Experience: Participate in hands-on research that contributes directly the understanding of evidence-based support using technology that can improve the outcomes and patient care for individuals with neuromuscular conditions of ALS.

  • Mentorship: Receive guidance and support from dedicated scientists and research professionals.

  • Skill Development: Learn essential research techniques, data collection methods, and lab protocols.

  • Mission-Driven Work: Know that your efforts are helping to support the improve the outcomes and patient care for individuals for those affected by ALS.

Current Internship Positions -

We invite you to explore our current openings and consider joining our team. Please follow the links below to learn more about each internship position and apply:

  • EMG Technician / Lab Internship – Patient/Subject interaction, take direct surface EMG measurements and survey data collection from ALS and Control groups.

  • Data Science / Lab Internship – Work with large scale data sets of surface EMG and Health Metrics provide by Garmin Health Connect.

Join us and be a part of advancing the science that powers hope.

For questions or additional information about our internship program, please contact Kathleen.ReganMills@alsperformance.org.

ALS Performance Research Foundation Internship Programs

ALS Performance Research Foundation’s Mission:

Our goal is to provide a novel framework of electrophysiological signals data collection correlated with large scale Garmin Health Metrics to provide evidence-based evaluation of individuals with ALS.

ALS Performance Research Foundation’s Approach - Why we are different:

Traditional medical approached in studying the progression of ALS is usually primarily weighted through neurological physical examinations and coordination tests.

The ALS Performance Foundation believes in our newly discovered methodology of monitoring large volumetric spaces (whole limb) in regards to electrophysiological signals deriving from both neuronal and muscular origins.

We are partnering with Dr. Vern Willilams of Cedars-Sinai Sport Neurology Institute, UCLA Health’s Sport Performance Medicine Center and Garmin Health, in the monitor, tracking and analyzing the electrical activity of the muscle fibers twitching / contractions, commonly referred to as "fasciculation potentials spikes" to the "pre and post" performance enhancing activities.

The goal is to determine patterns that match different stages of progression of the two major types of ALS.  These patterns can then be used to provide better patient care, a foundation to developing assisted devices, and monitoring effectiveness to new pharmaceutical treatments.

Internship Eligibility:

This internship is open to juniors, seniors, and graduate students. There are currently two tracts of Internships: Patient/Subject EMG data collection, and Data Science Analytics.  For those Interested in EMG data collection - the ideal candidate would be anyone who has had courses in life sciences.  For those Interested In large scale Data Science -- the Ideal candidate would be anyone who had courses in any of the following fields: Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics/Statistics, Engineering.

This program is currently an unpaid internship, volunteer only.  Students are encouraged to work with their academic advisor or faculty sponsor to seek academic credit. Generally, 45 contact hours at your internship equals one credit academic hour.

 

 

Lab Assistant - EMG technician:

Interns will assist in a major medical research project. They will work with medical researchers, doctors, and patients with ALS. They will learn how to communicate in a team environment and the importance of properly tracking data.

Interns will learn how to set up and attach surface mount electrodes to patients/subjects with degenerative neurological disorders and record findings with electromyography devices.  Interns will measure the FP spikes prior, and after performance activities. Interns will learn how to track, organize, analyze and present medical findings.

In addition, "Lab Assistant" interns will gain a basic understanding of how a foundation operates. They will have the opportunity to sit in on ALS Performance Research Foundation staff meetings, sit in on grant and funding brainstorming meetings.

Data Science Research Assistant:

Interns will assist in data analysis, signal processing, and machine learning of signal classifications.  Interns will have an opportunity to be part of anyone of the three distinct aspects of our data system, namely:  front end data retrieval, cloud storage optimization, and signal correlation pipeline.

In addition, "Data Science" interns will gain a basic understanding of how a foundation operates. They will have the opportunity to sit in on ALS Performance Research Foundation staff meetings, sit in on grant and funding brainstorming meetings.

 

Schedule: This internship is a part-time internship. We will work with the intern to set a schedule. Interns can expect to participate in the research project 2-3 days a week for roughly 4 hours.

Internship Supervision: The student will meet weekly with ALS Performance Research Foundation staff member, Kathleen Regan Mills, to discuss student’s progress and roadblocks - learning curves. The student will also receive feedback and mentoring from Robert Palmer and medical staff participating in the research project.

Application Process: Please email a copy of your resume or recent list of courses, and a short 1-2 paragraph statement outline applicants’ academic and/or professional goals, and also state your goals in being part of this research project.  

If the applicant is seeking credit, please include the name of name and contact information of the (sponsoring) faculty member signing off on your academic credit.

All application materials should be sent in PDF format to kathleen.reganmills@alsperformance.org.

Internship Location: (Hybrid / Los Angeles, CA)
UCLA Health’s Sport Performance Medicine Center
2275 E. Mariposa Avenue
El Segundo, CA 90245