Research

Overview

Purpose

The Research Distinction Track is designed to ensure that the next generation of physicians is able to critically evaluate their own approach to medicine and constantly update their practice through integration of the latest scientific evidence. This program prepares, enhances, and supports students in the pursuit of clinical, basic science, and translational research to characterize the mechanisms of disease, the factors influencing health, and the therapies used to improve health.

Objectives of the Program

1. Encourage students to consider and test novel approaches to scientific or clinical problems.
2. Foster analytical thinking skills necessary for rational and effective decision-making in future physicians
3. Provide an opportunity for BSOM students to pursue hypothesis-driven research and to relate their findings to specific clinical scenarios.
4. Provide guidance and mentorship for BSOM students regarding careers that integrate research and clinical service.
5. Teach the techniques of data interpretation necessary for dissemination as a presentation or publication.
6. Generate an understanding of the impact of clinical/translational research on patient care.

Expectation of Student Participants

1. Successfully guide a project through all required ethical reviews as appropriate: University and Medical Center Institutional Review Board (UMCIRB) for projects involving human participants or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) for projects involving the use of animals.
2. Under the direction of a scientific mentor, design and complete a defined scholarly project.
3. Provide regular reports on the progress of their chosen scholarly project.
4. Participate in regularly scheduled mentor meetings and group educational sessions.
5. Demonstrate scholarly writing skills through the preparation of a manuscript of publishable quality.
6. Describe the eventual impact of the scholarly project on current or future patient care.

Completion of Requirements

Students must complete all requirements prior to graduation. Acknowledgement of track participation is contained in the MSPE letter and noted on the student’s transcript, contingent upon demonstration of acceptable progress towards program requirements (see timeline of progress below). The MSPE letter concerning student’s track participation will contain a description of completed, current, and expected outcomes. The student’s mentor will submit comments for inclusion. Successful completion of the track requirements will be noted on the student’s transcript and will be recognized during the senior awards and graduation programs.

Overarching Distinction Track Leadership Objectives

1. Identify how your core values impact your leadership style and philosophy
2. Engage in purposeful self-improvement
3. Build and lead a team toward achieving a common goal
4. Demonstrate effective change management skills to help lead needed improvements in an organization or community
5. Model how to communicate professionally as a physician-leader

Required Activities

M1 Year

August-June

1. Fact-finding on Research Distinction Track (RDT)
   1. Discussions with potential mentors
   2. Identifying formal mentor (co-mentoring by a team of MD and PhD faculty is encouraged)
2. Formulate and write summer research proposal to include
   1. Hypothesis and specific aims
   2. Literature review
   3. Scope of work and time frame
   4. Approval from mentor
3. Complete all required regulatory training necessary for proposed project
   1. Responsible conduct of research
   2. Human participants or datasets: Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative training for biomedical investigators, health information security and privacy (HIPAA)
   3. Animal studies: Use of experimental animals in research, animal handling/surgery (as appropriate)

June & July

1. Summer research experience under direction of chosen mentor (SSRP)
2. Submit written report detailing the outcomes of the project to date, how they fit into the existing literature on the topic, specific role on the project, skills acquired, lessons learned and future plans for the project.
3. Participate in the annual BSOM Medical Student Scholarship Forum, including submission of an abstract and presentation of results to date.

M2 Year

August-April

1. Participate in RDT Lecture Series
2. Set and attend regular meetings with mentor to ensure continued progress on scholarly project including updated literature searches, abstract/manuscript preparations, additional data collection, etc.
3. Provide quarterly reports regarding ongoing activity on scholarly project.
4. Write scholarly project end-of-year report detailing completed work and future plans for project

M3 Year

1. Participate in RDT Lecture Series
2. Assist with recruitment of new students into the program
3. Set and attend regular meetings with mentor to ensure continued progress on scholarly project including updated literature searches, abstract/manuscript preparations, additional data collection, etc.
4. Complete a 2-week research elective (optional)
5. Provide quarterly reports regarding ongoing activity on scholarly projects

M4 Year

1. Participate in RDT Lecture Series
2. Assist with recruitment of new students into the program
3. Set and attend regular meetings with mentor to ensure continued progress on scholarly project including updated literature searches, abstract/manuscript preparations, additional data collection, etc.
4. Provide quarterly reports regarding ongoing activity on scholarly project
5. Write scholarly project final report
6. Complete manuscript to be submitted for peer review of a scientific journal, NOTE: Publication is not required but if manuscript is not accepted prior to graduation, it must be approved by the Research Track Evaluation Committee
7. Participate in the mandatory 2-week Capstone course and complete all associated deliverables prior to the end of the course.

Final approval by the Research Distinction Track Evaluation Committee is required for graduation with distinction.

Application Process

1. Students must have completed the requirements for and participated in the BSOM Summer Scholars Program (or an equivalent program at another institution) during the summer after their M1 year.
2. Students must submit an application that identifies a mentor and includes a research proposal before the end of summer after their M1 year.
3. Students must be in good academic standing in order to apply.
4. Selections will be based on application and interviews.