UCR- EMRAP
University of California Riverside (UCR) - Eisenhower Medical Research Associate Program (EMRAP)
Photo of EMRAP Research Associates and Student Liaisons — Lysdie Espinoza and Pedro Lezama-Garcia
PC: Ethan Kaminsky
The Eisenhower Medical Research Associate Program (EMRAP) is the first program of its kind in the Coachella Valley, designed to provide premedical students and undergraduate students with meaningful clinical exposure and research opportunities - essential components for competitive admission to medical school and other health professions.
EMRAP is a collaborative initiative between Eisenhower Health and the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine, serving as a vital resource for students aspiring to careers in healthcare. The program not only equips participants with meaningful clinical and research experience but also strengthens patients and advances efforts to address healthcare needs in the Coachella Valley.
“It (EMRAP) reminded me why I want to pursue medicine and showed me that research and clinical care don’t have to exist in separate worlds — they can inform and strengthen each other.“
- EMRAP Research Associate
2024-2025 Cohort
ABOUT EMRAP
Photo of the EMRAP 2025-2026 Cohort, Program Coordinator, and Co-Directors.
EMRAP was established in July 2024 by Dr. Victor Cisneros, MD, MPH, and is co-led by Dr. Jaclyn Floyd, MD, at Eisenhower Health and Dr. Ann Cheney, PhD, at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine. The program uniquely bridges clinical exposure, academic research, and community-engaged learning.
This is an academic-year clinical research program that provides students with a unique opportunity to collaborate directly with faculty and residents at Eisenhower Medical Center. Participants receive comprehensive, structured instruction in the fundamentals of clinical research and quality improvement; engage in guided readings, lectures, and discussions; and actively contribute to ongoing clinical studies, scholarly projects, and standard-of-care quality assurance initiatives. Students participate in weekly 8-hour clinical shifts at Eisenhower Health, gaining exposure in study workflows, patient interactions, and clinical operations.
Faculty provide ongoing mentorship, professional development guidance, and support for the medical school application process. Upon successful completion of the program and adherence to program policies, students may request a letter of recommendation from the program. A financial stipend is available per academic year, recognizing students’ participation in the program.
Photo of EMRAP Research Associates and Student Liaisons — Lysdie Espinoza and Pedro Lezama-Garcia
PC: Ethan Kaminsky
Student Publications
Program Reports
Program Summary Report 2024-2025
Highlight: EMRAP - Firsthand Experience Prepares Students for Medical School
IEHP Public Health Talk Series
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Applications
EMRAP welcomes applications from premedical students from the Coachella Valley and Inland Southern California—including undergraduate and postbaccalaureate scholars—who are interested in participating in an academic medicine research program and gaining real-world clinical research experience.
Applications open in December; the link to apply will be provided here when the next recruitment cycle begins.
“I was once told it was unlikely to balance both research and clinical practice — but through EMRAP, I’ve seen firsthand that it’s not only possible, it’s actively being done by many providers.”
-EMRAP Research Associate
2024-2025 cohort
Flyer for 2026-2027 application cycle