All-Female XR Internship Cohort Advances the Future of Medical Education

The Jump Simulation Center at Carle Illinois College of Medicine is welcoming an all-female cohort of undergraduate interns who are helping shape the future of healthcare education through extended reality (XR) technology.

The Jump Simulation XR Internship brings together students from across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign with backgrounds in computer science, engineering, education, art and design, and other technology-focused disciplines. Working alongside physicians, simulation specialists, researchers, and medical educators, the interns develop immersive learning experiences that support the Carle Illinois curriculum while gaining hands-on experience with industry-leading technologies, including Unity, Unreal Engine, Blender, artificial intelligence, motion capture, and digital human development.

This year's all-female cohort marks a significant milestone for the program, underscoring the increasing influence of women in emerging technology fields. While women remain underrepresented in software development, engineering, game development, and extended reality, these students are demonstrating how diverse perspectives strengthen innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.

Unlike traditional software internships, every project begins with a clinical challenge identified by Carle Illinois faculty. Interns work directly with physician experts to translate educational objectives into immersive simulations that prepare future physicians for real-world clinical practice. Through an iterative design process, students balance technical innovation with educational design, user experience, and clinical accuracy, creating tools that can be integrated into the medical curriculum.

"Our XR Internship allows students to apply their technical talents to something that truly matters - improving how future healthcare professionals learn and ultimately enhancing patient care," Jump Simulation Center Manager Shandra Jamison said. "Seeing this year's talented all-female cohort lead that work is both inspiring and a powerful reminder of the important role women continue to play in shaping the future of STEM and healthcare innovation." 

By empowering women to lead projects in XR, artificial intelligence, and simulation, Carle Illinois continues to develop the next generation of Physician Innovators while advancing new approaches to medical education through collaboration, discovery, and innovation.