Research Training Opportunities for Medical Students

Research Concentration | Funding Opportunities

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: