Trainee Learning Lab

About the Trainee Learning Lab

The Trainee Learning Lab (TLL) brings together undergraduate and graduate trainees in Injury Science, including research staff, research assistants, capstone mentees, and those with a keen interest in the field. Trainees meet virtually, on a monthly basis, to discuss and interpret peer-reviewed articles related to injury and violence research. 

Eight interactive sessions from October to May are led and facilitated by PISC Co-Director Catherine McDonald, Associate Professor of Nursing, with guest appearances from authors and co-authors of the articles discussed to answer questions about their work. Trainees learn to apply skills in the interpretation of research articles and leave the program more confident in critically reviewing injury and violence research.

Program Objectives for Participants

Articulate aspects of injury and violence as a major social and health problem
Describe designs and methods commonly used in Injury Science
Apply skills in the critical interpretation of research articles

Previous Guest Authors (selected)

Dan Holena, MD, MSCE, FACS (Medical College of Wisconsin)
Marizen Ramirez, PHD, MPH (University of Minnesota)
Tricia Roby, PhD, ATC (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
Kamila Alexander, PhD, RN (Johns Hopkins University)
Jason Goldstick, PhD (University of Michigan)
Carol Runyan, PhD (Colorado School of Public Health)

Trainee Spotlight

Cassis Boateng, PhD student in the School of Nursing, is pictured presenting at the 2022 National Research Conference on Firearm Injury Prevention in Washington, DC. 

His poster presentation, “Perception and application of spirituality among Black male survivors of firearm violence”, was an excellent contribution to the program along with many other Penn Injury researchers.