Paid Digital Health Research Experience at Rice University (Educators & Students)
Alexcia Perez
The Digital Health Workforce Initiative (DHWI) is a collaboration between Houston Methodist and the Digital Health Institute at Rice, a new NSF-supported program offering paid summer opportunities for high school students, community college students, graduate students, and high school teachers to explore emerging biomedical hardware technologies and AI in healthcare through hands-on learning.
About:
- Student Track (High School & Community College): Students participate in either a Software or Hardware project pathway, students will rank their preferred track in the application.
Hardware Track: The focus of the Enabling AI in Healthcare via Hardware track is for participants to understand how hardware innovations transform healthcare, particularly through wearable devices and technologies that monitor, diagnose, and treat patients. Participants will explore the underlying principles of wearable technologies, medical devices, and sensors and gain hands-on experience with the tools that drive advancements in digital health.
Software Track: The focus of the Enabling AI in Healthcare via Software track is for the participants to understand how AI can detect disease by making predictions early and accurately. Students will receive in-depth hands-on training on the critical tools of PyTorch and other dominant tools in machine learning and AI.
- Teacher Track: High school educators in math, physics, computer science, and CTE participate in a condensed version of both of the student tracks. Teachers will also engage in experiential learning digital health learning designed to strengthen classroom practice and connect students to emerging STEM careers.
Community College & High-School Students
Dates:
School Year Training (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027)
Summer 2025:
Software Track: June 8 – June 18, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Hardware Track: June 22 – July 2, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Benefits and Highlights:
Hands-on experience with digital health software and hardware systems
Skill-building in coding, sensors, data analysis, and problem-solving
Collaboration with university researchers and healthcare professionals
Participation in a Spring Innovator Showcase
Stipends up to $1,800 for high school students
Stipends up to $3,000 for community college students
High School Educators in Math, Physics, CS, or CTE:
Dates:
School Year Training (Fall 2026 - Spring 2027)
Summer 2026: June 22 – July 2, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Benefits and Highlights:
Hands-on, project-based learning with high school and community college students
Graduate mentor role supporting software and hardware learning tracks
Experience with coding, sensors, data analysis, and digital health applications
Collaboration with researchers, healthcare professionals, and R-STEM staff
Development of mentorship, leadership, and inquiry-based teaching skills
Stipends up to $5,300
Application:
Apply: bit.ly/DHWIxRSTEM
Application closes: February 8, 2026
Notification: February 27, 2026
