Biomedical Research: Opportunities and Benefits for Medical Students Robin L. Brey, MD Associate Dean for Research UTHSCSA School of Medicine Della Fritz, Assistant David L. Henzi, EdD Director of Office of Academic Enrichment UTHSCSA School of Medicine Jennifer Bitoni, Assistant

Types of Research Basic Science – Seeks to discover new knowledge without necessarily focusing on improved human health Translational – Takes Basic Science findings and applies them to human health Clinical Science – Involves research with humans or human samples Translational – Takes clinical research findings and applies them to clinical practice

Successful Research Projects Originate with a question or problem Originate with a question or problem Require the clear articulation of a goal Require the clear articulation of a goal Follow a specific plan of procedure Follow a specific plan of procedure Divide the principal problem into more manageable sub-problems Divide the principal problem into more manageable sub-problems

UTHSCSA Medical Student Research Opportunities Medical Student Summer Research Program Medical Student Summer Research Program Program to provide stipends for medical students to do full-time mentored research during the summer break between first and second yearProgram to provide stipends for medical students to do full-time mentored research during the summer break between first and second year Summer stipends are awarded for a 5-8 week period in an amount equal to $250/weekSummer stipends are awarded for a 5-8 week period in an amount equal to $250/week

UTHSCSA Medical Student Research Opportunities Medical Student Summer Research Program Medical Student Summer Research Program Applications due in March, 2008Applications due in March, 2008 Information is available on the School of Medicine website: includingInformation is available on the School of Medicine website: including List of previously awarded stipends List of previously awarded stipends List of Mentors List of Mentors Selection Criteria Selection Criteria Program Guidelines Program Guidelines

UTHSCSA Medical Student Research Opportunities Medical Student Summer Research Program Medical Student Summer Research Program Since 2002 nearly 200 students have received stipendsSince 2002 nearly 200 students have received stipends Recent funding historyRecent funding history 2004 – 26 students 2004 – 26 students 2005 – 31 students 2005 – 31 students 2006 – 47 students 2006 – 47 students 2007 – 58 students 2007 – 58 students 32 Clinical projects32 Clinical projects 28 Basic science projects28 Basic science projects

MD with Distinction in Research Program in its second year Program in its second year Provides UTHSCSA medical students with an opportunity to do sustained mentored work in basic, clinical, translational or social sciences Provides UTHSCSA medical students with an opportunity to do sustained mentored work in basic, clinical, translational or social sciences Students must commit to a minimum of 4 months during medical school Students must commit to a minimum of 4 months during medical school First 8 weeks usually occur in the Medical Student Summer Research ProgramFirst 8 weeks usually occur in the Medical Student Summer Research Program Additional time spent in electives and during free timeAdditional time spent in electives and during free time

MD with Distinction in Research MD with Distinction in Research Committee meets monthly to review applications MD with Distinction in Research Committee meets monthly to review applications Students may apply throughout their first and second year Students may apply throughout their first and second year Information is available on the School of Medicine website: includingInformation is available on the School of Medicine website: including List of Mentors List of Mentors Selection Criteria Selection Criteria Program Guidelines Program Guidelines

MD with Distinction in Research Program  Application includes Description of the research project A time-line for completing the project A mentoring plan written by the faculty mentor.  Project must be done under the mentorship of at least one UTHSCSA faculty member, who must play a role in the project from beginning to end  Research completed by the student prior to entering medical school cannot be substituted for the research requirement of this program

MD with Distinction in Research Program  Program Requirements Students must be in good academic standing (minimum GPA of 2.5) and must maintain good academic standing to continue Minimum of 4 months of research effort Research log of time spent (verified by mentor) Progress report every 6 months until completion of the program Approved manuscript written by the student with student as first author

Evaluation Criteria for Entering the Program - Student Quality of the candidate's academic record Quality of the candidate's academic record Commitment to research (1-page letter from student describing reason for applying to the program). Commitment to research (1-page letter from student describing reason for applying to the program). Quality of the letter of reference from mentor named in the application Quality of the letter of reference from mentor named in the application 5-page research plan 5-page research plan Usefulness as a vehicle for enhancing existing research skillsUsefulness as a vehicle for enhancing existing research skills Scientific and technical meritScientific and technical merit Time-line and feasibility of the research project over a 4-6 month time period.Time-line and feasibility of the research project over a 4-6 month time period.

MD with Distinction in Research Students who apply for the MD with Distinction in Research Program on or before the deadline for the Medical Student Summer Research Program will automatically have their application considered for a summer stipend Students who apply for the MD with Distinction in Research Program on or before the deadline for the Medical Student Summer Research Program will automatically have their application considered for a summer stipend This avoids having to write two different applications for the same project This avoids having to write two different applications for the same project

MD with Distinction in Research Program 17 current MS2s in the Program 17 current MS2s in the Program 2 current MS3s have successfully completed the program and will graduate with Distinction in Research if they maintain their GPA>2.5 2 current MS3s have successfully completed the program and will graduate with Distinction in Research if they maintain their GPA>2.5 Approximately 6-10 additional current MS2s are planning to apply for the program after their summer research experience Approximately 6-10 additional current MS2s are planning to apply for the program after their summer research experience

Choosing a Research Mentor Start early! Start early! Established record of research involvement accomplishment Established record of research involvement accomplishment Peer-reviewed publicationsPeer-reviewed publications Extramural fundingExtramural funding Time and interest in trainee Time and interest in trainee Personal considerations Personal considerations Consider more than one mentor Consider more than one mentor

“Never, never, never give up.” (Winston Churchill)