Over 100 participants of Region One Education Service Center (ESC) programs were honored for the completion of the DHR Junior Clinical Research Internship during a ceremony held on Saturday, August 5 at the Edinburg Conference Center at Renaissance.

Students from across the region represented Region One ESC GEAR UP: College Now-Career Connected!, GEAR UP: College Now, Career Set!, PATHS Project and Upward Bound Math and Science.

Region One ESC Executive Director Dr. Daniel P. King recognized participating school districts, DHR Health and the Region One ESC Office of College, Career & Life Readiness for partnering to provide the unique opportunity to students.

“Students gained a very deep understanding of the medical profession and scientific research,” Dr. King said. “I commend participants of the internship for their efforts and eagerness to learn more about the health sciences through research and practicum.”

The summer internship introduced students to various health science procedures, careers and concepts. To complete the internship, students worked in groups to create a manuscript, a document that outlines the processes of a research study, and publish their work in the DHR Proceedings health sciences journal.

Melanie Acosta, an incoming senior at Mission High School and participant of the GEAR UP: College Ready, Career Set! student cohort, worked alongside peers to publish a study.

“I am really happy to have published our work in a scientific journal,” said Acosta, whose team research the effects of anorexia on adolescence. “It’s something that is going to look really good on my resume as I pursue my goal of becoming a registered nurse.”

Each student was awarded a certificate of completion to commemorate the completion of the internship.

“I feel very accomplished,” said Elise Hernandez, an incoming senior at Harlingen High School and participant of the GEAR UP: College Now-Career Connected! student cohort. “I want to study to become a nurse practitioner in the future, and I think everything I learned in the internship is going to help me.”

For more information about the Region One Education Service Center and its programs, visit www.esc1.net.