Texas Obesity Research Center, Marc Hamilton, Debbie Hamilton - bait and switch, unprofessional, dishonest, manipulative, demanding, lazy - Houston Texas

The Texas Obesity Research Center promised an internship with plenty of opportunities to learn in various disciplines. You had no research opportunities if you were not a research subject. Instead the only alternatives were secretarial tasks.

Marc Hamilton, Ph. D is a LIAR with plenty of tricks up his sleeve. Both he and his wife Debbie did next to NOTHING to work with us, yet took plenty of credit for it. 

Here are some examples of TORC's false advertising:

1. We were told we would recruit and test research subjects. Instead we were expected to ask the people we personally know if they would participate in his study.

2. We were told we would conduct biochemical lab work. This NEVER happened.

3. We were told we would conduct physiological assessments. This wasn't introduced until week 13 out of the 16-week program.

4. We were told we would be introduced to analyzing research data. Instead all we did was copy it to spreadsheets.

5. We were told there would be journals and social events. Instead journals were only part of the "optional" study. Only ONE social event was held.

6. We were told "this particular internship is aimed at preparing for many careers when success requires employees to have the ability to communicate effectively and lead others."

• I don't know what you think, but to me it meant the internship would train interns to communicate and lead. TORC IGNORED students who were deficient in these areas.

7. We were told students with superior performance would be eligible for a paid position. There was NO objective standard aside from progress in the "optional" study.

Here are some of the tricks Dr. Marc Hamilton employed:

1. Come to Open Lab!: No training, no feedback. Assistant did EVERYTHING. Hamiltons sat on their asses. Subjects who were "interns" typed all the data from their research participation.

2. Keep Things Confidential!: So that they don't know they're being RIPPED OFF!!! They never actually dealt with ANY confidential information. Devices were numbered w/no names attached.

3. We don't log hours. Your productivity is what counts!: This removes an objective way to compare interns for the paid position. They may spend well over the 10-15 hours/week advertised without knowing.

4. Study Participation is Optional!: Few activities were offered outside the study because nearly everyone was talked into participating. Only study participants had a research topic (the study they particiapted in.) Only study participants were offered team activities.