Research Opportunities
Research experience in basic science and clinical medicine is encouraged through fellowships administered by the Faculty Committee for Medical Student Research. Financial support for research time is available for students in both the preclinical and clinical years. Students who are seriously interested in research or advanced study in a particular area are encouraged to consult with the executive associate dean for medical education regarding additional research opportunities.
The Discovery Phase of the new curriculum provides all students with a research opportunity in their area of interest. This phase is a structured time for students to conduct a hypothesis-driven research project under the direction of a faculty member. While the Discovery project must be a scientific inquiry based in Medicine, students are able combine their interests in other areas, such as creative writing, public health, community development, education, or health policy, into their project. Many students are also able to include an international experience in their Discovery project. This is a critical opportunity for students to renew their creative energies and explore a new facet of medicine under the tutelage of an Emory faculty member.
The Discovery Phase of the medical curriculum provides medical students with a 5-month opportunity to conduct hypothesis-driven research projects while working closely with a faculty mentor. Although the project may draw from a wide variety of areas (from clinical, translational or basic research, to creative writing or health policy), it must involve both medicine and the discovery or research process. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to renew their creative energies and explore a new facet of medicine under the tutelage of an Emory faculty member. The feedback from students and mentors after the first year of the program has been very enthusiastic.
The majority of students will be engaged in projects that are part of the ongoing research of Emory University faculty. However, students may also choose to undertake research experiences elsewhere, either within the US or abroad. Students who choose to do projects outside of Emory will be required to identify an Emory faculty member who will agree to serve as their Emory Discovery co-Mentor.
After the completion of their Discovery project, students will, with the guidance of their mentor, write a final Discovery Phase research paper of approximately 10 pages in the format of a scientific manuscript. These proposals are then reviewed by the Medical Student Research Committee for approval. All Discovery Phase students will also present their research as either a talk or poster at our annual Medical Student Research Day.
Chairs of The Discovery Phase
- Henry Blumberg, MD, PhD
- Maureen Powers, PhD
Medical Student Research Committee
- Craig Coopersmith, MD, FACS, FCCM
- Annette Esper, MD
- Anne Fitzpatrick, PhD
- Jonathan D Glass, MD
- Kathy Griendling, PhD
- Michael Halkos, MD
- Debra Houry, MD, MPH
- Michael M Johns, MD
- Ighoverha Ofotokun, MD
- Ruth O'Regan, MD
- Andi L. Shane, MD, MPH, MSc
- Vin Tangpricha, MD, PhD
- Srini Tridandapani, MD, PhD
- Nicole Turgeon, MD, FACS
- Jeannie Visootsak, MD
