Due to high demand, we are unable to accept new applications to our internship program at this time. Please check back soon!

Introduction to the MiOra Programs

MiOra provides two types of programs:

  • Public Health and Research Experiential Program for public health, health literacy, kinesiology, nutrition, economics, business, bioengineering, engineering and marketing students and 
  • Leadership Experiential Program for students pursuing pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-nursing, pre-podiatry, and public health pathways.

MiOra offers two experiential, non-credit training programs under the Integrated Leadership, Public Health, and Research Experiential Training framework:

The Public Health and Research Experiential Program is designed for students interested in public health, health literacy, research, bioengineering, health economics and outcomes, cost-effectiveness, and business fields.
Curriculum components include:

  • Public health foundations and health literacy
  • Research design, survey development, and study implementation
  • Data collection, analysis, and interpretation for public health and health outcomes research
  • Literature review, scientific writing, and manuscript preparation
  • Health communication and dissemination of evidence-based information
  • HIPAA training, research ethics, and exposure to IRB processes
  • Applied, data-driven public health and research initiatives

The Leadership Experiential Program provides structured, supervised training focused on applied leadership in public health, research, and community-based initiatives. Curriculum components include:

  • Leadership principles in health and STEM settings
  • Ethical decision-making and responsible leadership
  • Health equity and social determinants of health
  • Project coordination and team management
  • Mentorship and supervision of research teams
  • Professional communication and stakeholder engagement
  • Translating research findings into practice and policy-relevant initiatives

Participants apply these competencies through real-world projects, leadership roles within MiOra initiatives, and supervised mentorship responsibilities. Instruction is delivered remotely through guided activities, project-based learning, and faculty mentorship.

Applicants, including motivated high school students, may apply to one or both programs using the same registration process. Each program has a distinct curriculum and learning objectives. Some participants may choose to continue engagement beyond the formal program duration through optional extended experiential activities, leadership roles, or ongoing project participation.

The Public Health and Research Experiential Program is a structured, time-bound program with a 3–6 month duration. The Leadership Experiential Program is an advanced, role-based experiential program with a variable duration, typically ranging from 6 to 12 months depending on participant responsibilities, project scope, and organizational needs.

All training is delivered remotely. Participants work independently and collaboratively on applied public health, policy, and STEM-related research projects, gaining experience in survey development, data collection, analysis, literature review, poster creation, manuscript preparation, and professional networking.

MiOra AI Skills Training

MiOra teaches students to use artificial intelligence (AI) as a supportive and ethical tool that enhances, but does not replace, human judgment. Training emphasizes:

  • Transparency and appropriate attribution
  • Avoidance of plagiarism and academic misconduct
  • Awareness of algorithmic bias and limitations
  • Protection of privacy and confidential data
  • Responsible use of AI in research, education, and communication
  • Explicit exclusion of unsupervised clinical decision-making

Students are also encouraged to consider AI’s broader societal, ethical, and environmental impacts, aligning its use with principles of equity, scientific rigor, and public trust.

Cost of the Programs

All MiOra experiential training programs are offered at no cost to participants.

Public Health and Research Experiential Program
Total Charges:
$0.00

Leadership Experiential Program
Total Charges:
$0.00

MiOra fully funds all required program components, including training, supervision, research activities, and certificate issuance. Participants are not charged tuition, enrollment fees, instructional fees, or any institutional or noninstitutional charges to complete the program or receive a certificate.

In limited cases, participants may choose to pursue optional external opportunities (such as project management training or conference submissions) that are not part of the MiOra curriculum. Any costs associated with these optional activities:

  • Are not required for program participation or completion
  • Are not paid to MiOra
  • Do not affect evaluation, progression, or certificate eligibility

MiOra does not mandate, collect, or bundle any third-party fees.

Students conduct cutting edge health, policy and STEM research projects. They work remotely on their own time and wherever they are. They learn how to develop surveys, collect and analyze data, do literature research, develop poster and manuscripts. They gain experience in networking and learn how to most effectively connect with experts and potential future professors and employers.

MiOra Community Health Specialists presenting at the 2023 USC School of Pharmacy Moving Targets conference.

MiOra students elevate their career trajectory and help others while they are helping themselves. They find their strengths and purpose, and improve the health of their community through scientific discovery, health fairs, community outreach campaigns and policy initiatives. They present their accomplishments at local scientific, public health and quality improvement conferences, and build their communication skills and confidence.

Core Competencies Developed

Through the program, students gain practical experience in:

  • Designing and implementing surveys, needs assessments, and research tools.
  • Collecting, analyzing, and interpreting public health data.
  • Conducting literature reviews and preparing manuscripts.
  • Presenting findings through posters, abstracts, and oral presentations.

Building professional networks with faculty, health experts, and community partners.

Top: MiOra Board Member Belinda Jimenez attending CSULA 2023 MPH Spring Practicum showcase where MiOra Community Health Specialists, Irma Rivas, MPH and Yenis Gonzalez, present their work on MiOra's Closing the Disparities in Cancer projects. Bottom: MiOra Executive Director, Amonda Bakaj, and Community Health Specialist, Irma Rivas, attend the 2023 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Meeting in Chicago.
Fueling Your Future: Our Expertise, Your Success

We Help you Plan for Your Future

Our goal is to provide advanced certificate program exposure to high school and college students interested in a career in the health-care profession. This experience will help strengthen their resume for college, medical, pharmacy, and grad-school entry.

Student Impact and Achievements

MiOra students have made tangible contributions to public health by:

  • Educating communities on HPV, flu, and meningitis vaccines
  • Presenting research
  • Showcasing cancer disparities work
  • Conducting research on women’s health, diabetes prevention, chronic disease awareness, and cancer risk reduction.

These experiences allow students to strengthen their resumes and portfolios for college, medical school, pharmacy school, graduate programs, and health careers.

Top: MiOra Community Health Specialists and Oakland University MPH students presenting their work on MiOra's Immigrant Women's Health Project. Bottom: MiOra Supported USC Inter-Health Council (IHC) Career Event. Nausheen Wakhlu and Patrick Citrano, co-directors of the professional development branch of IHC, organized an excellent panel of healthcare professionals to discuss their educational paths and careers. MiOra speaker Levente Orosz from Pfizer talked about his role in public health from pharmaceutical industry perspective.
OUR MISSION

We Provide Opportunity

MiOra’s mission is to expand equitable access to higher education and professional development in the health sciences. We provide college-level training in health sciences and STEM through innovative, inclusive, and no-barrier programs.

Our experiential training model combines formal instruction with real-world application. Students are mentored by experts, engage in structured learning modules, and complete supervised projects that directly contribute to improving public health through science, community service, advocacy, and policy initiatives.

We are committed to ensuring that every student develops:

  • Academic Foundations: Evidence-based training aligned with health sciences competencies.
  • Practical Experience: Hands-on learning in research, health communication, and outreach.
  • Leadership & Resilience: Professional skills to succeed in higher education and health careers.

MiOra students and trainees work on projects that include:

  • Advancing community health literacy through outreach and education.
  • Conducting lifestyle, preventive care, and vaccine awareness research.
  • Participating in public health initiatives addressing prevention, equity, and sustainability.

Promoting chronic disease and cancer awareness, testing, and prevention strategies.

MiOra Students in Action

Lili Jimenez, Emily Han, Nada Dalati, Patty Medina and Kimberly Felix presented their data at the 15th Annual World Congress on Insulin Resistance, Diabetes & Cardiovascular Disease (WCIRDC) in Los Angeles.
Belinda Jimenez Presenting her Poster at the USC Moving Targets LA Meeting. Great job Belinda! You will make an excellent doctor!
MiOra students presented a poster at the IDWeek Conference
MiOra students successfully completed CDC Diabetes Prevention Program Certificate training at UCLA
USC students Aaron Esagoff and Sam Cohen Partnered with USC Student Health Dept. and organized a peer-to-peer HPV immunization event

MiOra participants may have opportunities to present their work in professional and academic settings, contributing to public health and research initiatives. Experiences may include:

  • Poster and presentation development
  • Participation in virtual or in-person poster sessions
  • Completion of program-specific certificates
  • Involvement in health education or awareness campaigns

These experiences provide participants with documented experiential learning, professional exposure, and practical skills that support future academic pursuits, research involvement, or careers in health and related fields.

MiOra Faculty and Educators

MiOra educators are experienced health, public health, and STEM professionals who deliver MiOra’s inclusive, no-barrier experiential training in public health, preventive medicine, research, and leadership. Faculty guide participants through structured, competency-based certificate programs and supervised real-world research projects.

In addition to instruction, MiOra educators serve as mentors, supporting ethical practice, fostering critical thinking, and helping participants build professional networks. Faculty oversight ensures academic integrity, responsible research conduct, and alignment with MiOra’s mission to advance equity in healthcare and STEM fields.

MiOra Student Registration

Please complete this form.  A member of our team will contact you shortly with further details.

MiOra Integrated Leadership, Public Health, and Research Experiential Training Program

Participants in this experiential training program:

  • Complete structured modules in public health foundations, health communication, HIPAA compliance, and research ethics.
  • Engage in supervised, applied public health and research projects conducted remotely under faculty and mentor oversight.
  • Develop practical skills in research design, data analysis, literature review, health education, and scientific communication.
  • Collaborate on real-world projects, including survey development, data interpretation, poster creation, and manuscript preparation.
  • Build professional competencies in teamwork, ethical practice, and evidence-informed public health initiatives.

Upon successful completion, participants earn a MiOra Experiential Certificate aligned with their pathway:

  • Public Health and Research Experiential Program Certificate, or
  • Leadership Experiential Program Certificate

Certificates reflect successful completion of a non-credit, non-degree experiential training program and do not represent academic credit, licensure eligibility, or degree equivalency.

MiOra Alumni Testimonials

During my time at MiOra, I was fortunate to work alongside a talented and dedicated team of professionals who are truly passionate about public health research and cancer prevention. The internship provided me with invaluable insights into the field and allowed me to apply the knowledge gained during my studies in a real-world setting.

The internship at MiOra has exceeded my expectations and has solidified my passion for public health and cancer prevention. It has been a transformative experience that has equipped me with practical skills, industry insights, and a network of professionals that I can rely on as I pursue my career in this field.

Ruben Balila Lopez 

CalStateLA, Public Health, 2023

I got accepted to the Associates Degree in Nursing program at LA Harbor College near San Pedro. I will work on getting my Bachelors Degree in Nursing afterwards. This program is ranked 9 in California. Thank you again Dr. Equils. I am grateful for the support you have given me!

MiOra alumnus is accomplishing his dreams: got accepted to a nursing school

Manuel Mendoza

BS California State University, Public Health, MiOra Alumnus

During my time at MiOra, I learned many new skills. Some skills that I learned were email etiquette, literature analysis, and survey distribution. I learned some valuable lessons while interning at MiOra. Some lessons learned are time management and the importance of remote professionalism. MiOra gave me the opportunity to practice interpersonal skills and better my communication and collaboration skills. As a future professional, the skills I learned from this internship were really insightful and will help me be a great health educator.

Abigail Morales

California State University, Los Angeles, 2023

Compliance and Values Statement

MiOra does not admit or affiliate with individuals or organizations designated under U.S. law for terrorism, antisemitism, violent extremism, or activities that undermine democratic values. All students are expected to comply with U.S. regulations and to uphold principles of non-discrimination, respect, and academic integrity. Violations may result in dismissal from the program.

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