The Forum, founded in 1997, is a public/private partnership that addresses cutting-edge science and policy issues through a process of stakeholder engagement. Its impetus was a request from Vice President Al Gore to convene all stakeholder groups to discuss and discover opportunities for cross-sector dialogue and collaboration. The Forum has and continues to address specific hurdles in drug development and implementation for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B (HBV), transplantation-associated virus infections (TAVI), metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MAFLD)/metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), pediatric cholestatic liver disease (PCLD), genetically based rare diseases, and ocular diseases (see https://forumresearch.org/ for more information).

We seek energetic, creative, and committed MPH students focused on the public health mission to join us for this distinguished full time, 10-12 weeks/400 hours, summer practicum

• Salary range: $29.25 per hour
• Position location: Washington, DC or Remote
• Potential benefits:
  • Work on at least one Forum project, prepare summary reports, abstracts, and a publication to be submitted for peer-review
  • Senior thesis research project and advisor
  • Network with internationally recognized leaders in academia, private industry, patient-community groups, and regulatory agencies worldwide

In compliance with the RISE Office, students will work with the Forum’s Director, Dr. Veronica Miller, and other Forum staff on epidemiological, regulatory, policy issues, and the development of novel data science solutions in the disease areas we are currently active in. Students will contribute to the Forum’s mission by focusing their research on one or two specific topics within one of the disease areas, producing two final deliverables at the end of the practicum. The work consists of background research, coordinating and supporting working groups, writing summaries and briefs, presenting in at least one journal club, and working on at least one publication to be submitted for peer-review. The latter may require additional time (post-August) to complete. Students will explore and attend events, such as Congressional hearings, FDA Advisory Committee hearings, and other policy-oriented meetings, virtually or in-person.

To apply, please go to the UC Berkeley PHLEX site http://berkeleypublichealth.12twenty.com (Direct position link for UCB students: Apply Here) or send a resume, a writing sample, and a cover letter describing your interest in the Forum to Donnice Butler at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .