EDS Patient-Scientist Initiative

Developing the Next Generation of EDS Experts

When it comes to complex diseases, patients often are the true experts. The lived patient experience leads to important clinical and biological questions. When that is paired with the scientific tools to answer them, patients can make an impact on the entire community.

Our goal is to build a community of physicians, scientists and health care professionals who understand this disease – and who better than patients themselves? By doing so, we can change the perception of EDS and HSD, foster new research discoveries and advance clinical care. Our educational foundation aims to make an impact for generations of patients in the future, while also providing an inclusive environment for students with disabilities an equal opportunity to thrive.

These opportunities not only grow the number of people in research and healthcare dedicated to EDS, but also offer a valuable opportunity to academically talented and motivated students who confirm a strong interest in graduate and/or doctoral studies, especially those focused on EDS research.

Our Current Programs

HIP

The Gensemer hEDS Intern Program (HIP)

In 2018, Cortney Gensemer was a first-year PhD student in the Norris Lab interested in studying hEDS because of the impact it had on her life as a patient. She helped to transform the lab into one of the world's largest groups studying hEDS. When it comes to complex diseases, patients often are the true experts. The lived patient experience leads to important clinical and biological questions. When that is paired with the scientific tools to answer them, patients can make an impact on the entire community.

HIP 2024 Application Has Closed!

ABOUT THE HIP PROGRAM

"Never have I met a group of such resillient, smart and dedicated individuals. I have learned so much and I feel incredibly grateful to have the unique opportunity to work on my own disease." -- Maggie Osterhaus, HIP 2023

Visiting Scholars Program

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The Norris lab is thrilled to announce an additional program to allow academically talented students to join us in the lab!

One thing that has become apparent from our intern program is that, unfortunately, we must turn away the majority of applicants. Due to our current staffing, our bandwidth is limited to 5-6 interns during the summer. We believe that each of the applicants deserves a chance to work with us and have been working to find a pathway for that to happen.

The Norris lab Visiting Scholars Program provides short-term shadowing opportunities in our lab for individuals who have the intention of continuing their education, working in the space of EDS healthcare, advocacy or research and have a strong personal connection to the disease. During their three days in the lab, participants will get to hear about our research, shadow our scientists in their work, and learn from experts in the field.

We review applications for the Visiting Scholars Program on a rolling basis and accept participants as space allows. Thanks to generous donors, we are able to cover housing and travel to eligible applicants. Unfortunately, we can only offer this program to students in the United States.

Apply to be a Visiting Scholar