The Asthma Immersive Research Experience (AIRE) Program: Paving the Way for Future Scientists

The global decline in health science researchers underscores the need to build research capacity early, as undergraduate research participation is associated with greater research self?efficacy, development of transferable skills, and sustained interest in medical and scientific careers. However, traditional short?term, project?based summer research programs may be less accessible to students with limited prior research experience. In response to this need, a hands?on undergraduate research program was developed to provide early exposure to clinical and laboratory?based research. The Asthma Immersive Research Experience (AIRE) program was launched in Fall 2021 with the goal of delivering meaningful research training to undergraduate students interested in medical and scientific careers. AIRE provides practical experience in asthma and allergic disease research within an academic children’s hospital setting, combining laboratory work, direct engagement with research participants and families, peer and faculty mentorship, a structured seminar series, and continuous student feedback for program improvement. The program emphasizes team science and collaboration while exposing trainees to a broad range of career pathways, including physician?scientists, basic and translational researchers, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, geneticists, bioinformaticians, nurses, full-time research assistants, and clinical research coordinators. To date, 45 students have enrolled in AIRE, with 82.1% returning for multiple semesters, reflecting strong engagement and program retention. AIRE alumni are currently enrolled in medical school (45.8%) or graduate school (12.5%), employed as clinical research coordinators (8.4%), or actively pursuing admission to medical or graduate programs (33.3%). Together, these outcomes highlight AIRE as an effective and inclusive undergraduate research model that promotes sustained engagement and successful progression toward medical and scientific careers.