Research Training Opportunities for Medical Students

Research Concentration | Funding Opportunities | First-year Summer Program

The College of Medicine Office of Educational Affairs is pleased to offer a Scholarly Concentration in Research for medical students. This program dovetails with the AAMC initiative to attract, develop and nurture increased numbers of independent translational and clinical investigators. This scholarly concentration appeals to students who are considering pursuing a career as a physician scientist in academic medicine, the biomedical industry, or research organizations.

The mission of the Scholarly Concentration in Research is to provide interested medical students at the USF College of Medicine the opportunity to engage their scientific curiosity in basic and clinical science within their 4 year medical curriculum, and begin to develop their potential as physician scientists. At the end of this program, students will have acquired tools essential to undertake, and critically evaluate, clinical and basic science research. Students who complete this program will be prepared to continue their development as clinical or basic physician scientists during their residency, and beyond.

Students will be provided training through both didactic and hands-on research experiences. The basic skills and understanding to conduct research are gained through courses in Statistics and Experimental Design and the Responsible Conduct in Research. Additional course work will include Journal Clubs and Seminar in Medical Science Research which will provide students experience in reading and critically evaluating research literature. Students will present one journal article per semester, and 4th year students will be encouraged to present their research findings. Students will provide written critiques of articles and presentations to evaluate their development in the critical reading and evaluation of research literature. The Practicum in Research places a student with an active basic or clinical research mentor who will tailor research questions that can be addressed within the time frame of the program, and is compatible with the student's schedule. Research Mentors are volunteers, listed in an on-line directory, along with a description of possible student projects. At the culmination of the Scholarly Concentration in Research, students are expected to write and submit a manuscript for publication in a peer-reviewed journal, or have substantial responsibility, with the guidance of their mentor, for writing a chapter in a scholarly book.

For more information on this program, please contact:

Sponsored by the Dean's Office and The American Heart Association Summer Medical Student Research Fellowship Grant

During the summer of 2007, 45 USF College of Medicine (COM) students participated in research projects supported by the Dean of the College of Medicine and the American Heart Association.

For a period of six to eight weeks, students were able to work with COM faculty in a variety of specialty areas. Three students expressing an interest in cardiology received fellowships from the American Heart Association which covered three months of research time. These students were matched with faculty mentors involved in cardiovascular related research.

The 2007 AHA student fellows and their research topics are shown here:

The 2007 AHA student fellows and their research topics are shown here:

First Year Medical Student:  Shaili Gal  
Faculty Mentor:                     William Marshall
Research Project Title:         “Porcine Model of Cardiovascular Disease”


First Year Medical Student:  Lindsay Rumberger
Faculty Mentor:                     Martin Back / Murray Shames
Research Project Title:         “ Comprehensive Experience with Critical Limb Ischemia Comparing Procedural Related Outcomes”


First Year Medical Student: N. Aeleia Sanderson
Faculty Mentors:                   Martin Back
Research Project Title:      “Optimizing Outcomes after Open and Endovascular Repair of AAA”

Fellowships for 38 students were funded through the Office of the Dean of the College of Medicine. These fellowships were coordinated through the USF Health Office of Research. Each year interested students are encouraged to apply through the Research Office and the Office works to match students with a faculty mentor.

Fellowships for 2007 came with a $2,600 stipend for the approximately two month work period.

At the end of the fellowship, each student submits a short paper about their experience. Many of these papers become poster presentations at the USF Health's annual Research Day in the spring. For more information about these fellowships, contact the USF College of Medicine Office of Research, 813-974-9446.