Research Opportunities

TUSOM students have plenty of opportunities available for getting involved in research. The most important step in the process is to connect with a faculty mentor. This page is designed to help you do that! Generally speaking, the best time to focus on a research project is during the summer between your T1 & T2 year, since you have plenty of time to do so. However, you can get involved with research at any time during your medical education. 

If you are a T1, and would like to get involved in summer research IN NEW ORLEANS, please check out these funded opportunities:

• ASPIRE
• DeBakey Scholars Program

If you are a T1, and would like to get involved in summer research ELSEWHERE, please see "Summer Opportunities" on this page.

If you are a T2 or above, and would like to get involved in research, please see "Basic/Bench Research," "Clinical/Translational Research," "Population/Public Health Research," or "Call for Student Researchers" on this page. 

Students interested in basic/bench research should contact Dr. Diane Blake for more information.

More information on research conducted in these areas can be found here.

Student must watch the following video prior to seeking a clinical/translational research opportunity

Students interested in clinical/translational research should consult the list of recommended faculty mentors below. Please contact the faculty member in charge of the project you are interested in directly. Contact Dr. Vivian Fonseca for more information. 

More information on research conducted in these areas can be found here. A list of recommended faculty mentors and their areas of research is also available here. 

 

Students interested in the Ph.D./MD program should contact Dr. James Robinson for more information.

More information on this program can be found here.

Students interested in population and public health research should contact Dr. Tonette Krousel-Wood for more information.

If you are interested in the MD/MPH program’s research opportunities, more information can be found here.

If you are interested in completing the MD/MPH program, more information can be found here.

This section contains contact information SPECIFICALLY seeking student researchers. If you are a faculty researcher who would like to advertise for a student researcher, please email Dr. Katrina D’Aquin.

(UPDATED 3/24/21)

Hello Rising T2s,

 

I'm a rising T4 who has been doing research with Dr. Ashley Weiss at the Early Psychosis Intervention Clinic of New Orleans over the last few years and we are looking for another student for our team. Our research aims to better understand the journeys that first episode psychosis patients undergo before receiving appropriate treatment.

 

The time commitment would be very reasonable (around 2 hours/week, more if you would like to be involved over the summer). You would be helping with data entry, literature review, and manuscript writing/editing. We recently submitted a paper for publication and will be starting another paper over the summer and into the fall. This research would be perfect for poster/oral presentations, DeBakey research, and/or publication experience (not to mention rubbing shoulders with Dr. Weiss, the director of psychiatric medical education at Tulane). If this sounds appealing to you, please respond to this email and answer the questions below. We are looking for one student - if multiple students are interested I will be using the question answers and zoom calls, if necessary, to find the best fit.

 

How interested are you in psychiatry, on a scale from 1-10?

Do you have any experience in literature review, research writing, and/or data analysis?

Are you going to be in New Orleans over the summer? If so, would you like to help over the summer?

Do you have any interest in working with the first episode psychosis population?

Do you have any experience working with patients with psychosis?

Is there anything else you would like me to know about you?

 

I know that research experiences are hard to come by, so don't feel shy if you don't have much experience - I didn't either when I started the project! If you have any questions about this, or anything else psych related, reach out to me. My number is 801-557-1859.

 

Best,

 

Spencer Steadman

MD Candidate, Class of 2022

Tulane University School of Medicine

ssteadman1@tulane.edu

(UPDATED 2/23/2021)

Dear Colleagues, The 2021 National Young Scholars in General Internal Medicine (NYSGIM) Scholarship application is still open.  This year an unprecedented 50 scholarships are available for residents and students to support the registration fee to the virtual 2021 SGIM Annual Meeting from April 20-23rd. It is not necessary to be presenting at the meeting to apply, but an active SGIM membership is required. For full details, please click here. Questions? Contact Muna Futur, SGIM's Director of Member Relations, at futurm@sgim.org. Thank you, Irene Alexandraki Chair, Membership Committee

(UPDATED 1/25/2021)

Dear T4 Students:

 

The Tulane University Medical Group is currently in need of 3-4 T4 students to do some data extraction work for their annual quality data submission to CMS. The work can be done on your free time and you will be paid the going rate for students, about $12.25/hr.  It should take about 20-25 hours each over a two-week period.  

 

Anyone interested or for additional information, please email Lesley LeBlanc directly, lleblan7@tulane.edu.  Ms. Leblanc is the Director, Value-Based Programing for the Tulane University Medical Group.

 

Thank you!

 

(UPDATED 1/15/2021)

Please Promote - Minority Research Opportunity We are excited to present a learning opportunity specifically targeted to minority students to boost their interest and skills in biomedical research. The All of Us Virtual Minority Student Research Symposium was created as a platform for students on three levels (undergraduate, graduate, and medical students) to explore health data from the All of Us Research Hub, investigate a health issue, and create a poster presentation of their findings. Each student participant will be required to identify a mentor for their project. They will also be required to: Complete a registration application; Attend cadence to track progress and enhance professional development and research skills; Submit a poster presentation by April 1, 2021; Display their poster at the virtual symposium and provide a brief oral presentation if awarded a prize (Symposium dates TBA). The Research Symposium is not only driven by interest in biomedical research, but also the prestige of placing a winning a nominal cash prize. Cash Prizes in each category: Medical School First Prize Second Prize Graduate School First Prize Second Prize Undergraduate School First Prize Second Prize For promoting this opportunity on your campus: OPTIONAL PROMOTIONAL WORDING: OPTION 1: We encourage your school to send this announcement to all of the science and health majors to register to attend an informational session on January 19, 2021 at 7pm EST. Registration link: bit.ly/AOUMSRS  It will also be recorded. OPTION 2: We encourage your organization to send this announcement to your networks to register to attend an informational session on January 19, 2021 at 7pm EST.  Registration link: bit.ly/AOUMSRS  It will also be recorded. The NPHC and All of Us Research Program community engagement teams look forward to working with you. Please contact Dr. Joy Bradley, ljbradley1@ua.edu for further details about the informational and research symposium events. Dr. Bradley is the AoUSN Engagement Lead at the University of Alabama. Feel free to use the flyer below to promote this event.

(UPDATED 11/30/20)

Dear Careers in Medicine Colleagues,

 

The Careers in Medicine team has launched an updated Clinical & Research Opportunities database with a new look and feel.

 

This tool allows learners to search for clinical and research experiences offered in the summer or year-round, and filter by desired specialty or topic.

 

We have streamlined these filters and improved the search and sorting features to be more user friendly.

 

The redesigned tool is also mobile friendly and continues to be accessible without sign-in.

 

We hope you will share this improved resource with your students. Please direct feedback or questions to careersinmedicine@aamc.org.

 

 

Full URL to the Clinical & Research Opportunities database here: https://apps.aamc.org/cim-cr-web/#/user

 

• The AAMC maintains a database including both funded and unfunded clinical and research experiences, which can last for the summer or throughout a year.
• (UPDATED 1/7/21)

• Do you have graduate/medical students looking for paid internship opportunities this summer?

  Let them know that the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality Positions has posted available positions for its Intramural Fellowship Program, which provides opportunities for individuals to work with leading health services researchers in the conduct and support of research on "real life" issues that support the Agency's mission and contributes to improvements in health care.

  Learn more about the positions here: Junior Service Fellow - Office of the Director & the Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement

  Interested students can send questions to Arlene Bierman, MD, MS, director of AHRQ's Center for Evidence and Practice Improvement, at arlene.bierman@ahrq.hhs.gov

  ------------------------------
  Marianna Drootin, MPA
  Director, ADGAP and Special Projects
  American Geriatrics Society
  ------------------------------

• Scholars in Ophthalmology Program at Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School
  At Mass Eye and Ear and the Department of Ophthalmology at Harvard Medical School we are
  committed to training a diverse next generation of ophthalmology physicians with strong
  research capabilities.
  Program description:
  • Scholars will start the program during the summer of 2021 and remain engaged as
  alumni through activities year-round
  • Summer activities will include opportunities for mentoring with a practicing
  ophthalmologist and hands-on research in a vision laboratory.
  • Year-round activities will include live chats and one-on-one virtual interactions
  providing coaching and advice to promote successful applications to Ophthalmology
  residency programs.
  • $5,000 stipend will be provided for summer internship living expenses (8-weeks).
  • Program may be modified according to safety recommendations related to COVID-19.
  Eligibility:
  • Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National
  Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national
  basis, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds
  are strongly encouraged to apply (https://diversity.nih.gov/about-us/populationunderrepresented).
  • Current M1s, from a US medical school
  • Students must be able to commit a minimum of 8 weeks full time commitment
  during Summer of 2021.
  Application requirements:
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Two letters of recommendation sent directly to the program administration.
  • Personal statement describing 1) qualifications for this program, and, 2) interest in
  ophthalmology.
  Application process:
  • Applications materials and letters of recommendation should be sent by January
  31st, 2021 to Kahira Saez-Torres (kahira_saez-torres@meei.harvard.edu).
  • Program admission notices will be sent by March 15th, 2021

J. William Kohl, M.D. 2021 Summer Scholarship for Medical Students Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science University of California, Davis

The Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science at UC Davis is pleased to announce the J. William Kohl Summer Scholarship for medical students. This opportunity provides a stipend of $2,500 for medical students undertaking mentored research in the vision sciences.

Associated with this program is the J. William Research Travel Grant, which will consist of a $1,200 stipend per student. The grant is intended to defray the cost of presenting summer research at national ophthalmology conferences or meetings. Kohl Scholars may work with mentors to submit their work at a national ophthalmology/vision science conference and for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Eligibility Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. Medical School*
• Interested in pursuing a career in ophthalmology
• Have a plan for research project** that has been approved/ agreed upon by UC Davis faculty member and can devote 8-12 weeks full time during summer 2021 (time frame can be negotiated with your mentor)
• Previous Kohl Summer Scholars are welcome to apply again

*Non-UC Davis medical students: To participate in the Kohl Summer Scholarship program, medical students outside of UC Davis must coordinate with UC Davis staff to determine the manner in which scholarship funds may be received by you or your institution.

**Information related to research opportunities may be found on pages 3-4

Donor Stewardship

In late summer/ early fall 2021, scholars will present their research at an evening reception for Mrs. Ann Kohl, UC Davis Eye Center faculty, and medical students. If Covid-19 conditions restrict and in-person presentation, this will be conducted via online conference platform. Additionally, awardees will also be asked to write a letter to Ann Kohl to thank her for creating this opportunity.

Scholarship Application Timeline

• Application deadline: February 26, 2021
  o Submit application (see page 2) to Dr. Annie Baik at akbaik@ucdavis.edu
• Student notification date: March 26, 2021

APPLICATION FOR J. WILLIAM KOHL SUMMER RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP

Please respond to the following prompts:

• What is your interest in ophthalmology and research?
• What is your experience with research? Please include a brief description of prior research projects with which you were involved.
• Please describe your proposed project with your mentor*. Your response should include:
  o The question(s) you seek to answer through your project.

o Research hypothesis.
o Proposed research methods.

*Research projects for this program MUST be mentored by a faculty member of the UC Davis Department of Ophthalmology & Vision Science. Applicants are to contact their mentors prior to submitting this application. Your discussion should include the question(s) you seek to answer through your project, research hypothesis, and if possible, the proposed methods.

Please also provide the following items:

• Current CV
• No more than two letters of recommendation from previous research mentors or instructors/ professors from your coursework
  o Please include contact information for the individuals writing letters
• A copy of your medical student transcript

 

 

• The AAMC maintains a database including both funded and unfunded clinical and research experiences, which can last for the summer or throughout a year.
• The Warren R. Bourgeois, III, MD and Usha Ramadhyani Bourgeois, MD Student Research Endowed Fund is a generous endowment which provides support each year to one or two first year medical students for a summer research experience in the Department of Physiology. The donation provides, but is not limited to, stipends, grants, and assistance with conference attendance, travel and other expenses related to the recipients’ research experience. This research experience for medical students brings to the student a potential dual career in research as well as medicine. It reveals to the student they can be involved both in the healing of a patient and in the process of finding cures. For more information, please contact Dr. L. Gabriel Navar, Professor and Chairman, Department of Physiology, SL-8639, 504.988.5251.
• The DeBakey Scholars Program offers medical students the opportunity to pursue and complete a longitudinal structured, closely supervised research experience culminating in a capstone presentation prior to graduation. Limited summer funding is available for projects and students who qualify. More information on this program can be found here.

Many professional societies provide competitive grant funding for research. The links below should take you directly to the grant pages for the societies listed:

• Administration for Community Living
• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
• Amercian Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
• American Academy of Dermatology
• American Academy of Neurology
• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• American Association of Neurological Surgeons
• Rheumatology Research Foundation
• American Heart Association
• American Psychiatric Association
• American Roetgen Ray Society
• American Society for Dermatologic Surgery
• American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
• Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research
• American Society of Clinical Oncology
• The Plastic Surgery Foundation
• American Thoracic Society
• American Urological Association
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• College of American Pathologists
• Endocrine Society
• National Cancer Institute
• National Eye Institute
• National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
• National Hemophilia Foundation
• National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• National Institutes of Health
• National Institute on Aging
• National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• National Organization for Rare Disorders
• Radiological Society of North America
• Society for Investigative Dermatology
• The Society of Thoracic Surgeons
• American Physician Scientists Association

A helpful resource when writing grant applications is the "How to Apply" guide by the NIH. You can link into this resource here

See our Student Publication Venue guide for inspiration on where to publish.

Added 2/24/2021

Dear Medical Student Educators,

 

I want to share this information regarding a student-led initiative called The Lens. The Lens is a weekly ophthalmology research newsletter that summarizes key research updates in the field from high impact journals in an easily digestible and accessible format. It is free and only requires an email to sign up. It is a great resource for medical students interested in ophthalmology to increase knowledge and engagement in the field. Please share with your respective ophthalmology interest groups and cohorts of students who are interested in the field.

 

Here are a few key links that may be helpful as background:

 

• The Lens website
• HTML version of a recent newsletter
• Sign up link

 

Please feel free to reach out to the co-founders at thelens@lensophthalmology.com for more information.

 

Thank you,

Ari Kaplan

 

Ariane Kaplan, M.D.

Assistant Clinical Professor

Departmental OR Medical Director

Medical Student Clerkship Director

Kellogg Eye Center

University of Michigan

Select Recent Tulane University School of Medicine Student Publications

• DeBakey Student Publications
• MD/PhD Student Publications
• MD/MPH Student Publications
• ASPIRE Student Publications: 

  • Sabol, R. A., A. Beighley, P. Giacomelli, R. M. Wise, M. A. A. Harrison, B. A. O'Donnnell, B. N. Sullivan, J. D. Lampenfeld, M. D. Matossian, M. R. Bratton, G. Wang, B. M. Collins-Burow, M. E. Burow and B. A. Bunnell (2019). "Obesity-Altered Adipose Stem Cells Promote ER⁺ Breast Cancer Metastasis through Estrogen Independent Pathways." Int J Mol Sci 20(6).

• Current Tulane Research 
• Tulane Faculty & Research Database NOTE: Link only works when connected through Tulane internet.

• Tulane University Office of Research
• Matas Library
• Resources for Researchers

• ARE YOU CONDUCTING HUMAN SUBJECTS RESEARCH

  AND NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THE INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD?

   

  Assistance in navigating the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Tulane is now available to faculty members in the School of Medicine, courtesy of the Office of Research.

   

  INSTITUTIONAL REVIEW BOARD (IRB) NAVIGATORS CAN ASSIST YOU WITH:

• General guidance on the Tulane IRB and the necessary steps to get approval for human subjects research
• Specific guidance on the preparation and submission of:
  
  • Initial submissions for new projects
  • Informed consent and HIPAA documents for new projects
  • Amendments/revisions, adverse event reports, and continuing reviews for existing projects
• Assistance in navigating IRBManager, the online platform used to manage IRB submissions at Tulane
• Assistance in IRB submissions for studies that involve multiple research institutions and/or off-site research
• General questions and resources related to IRB

• CONTACT INFORMATION:

  If your study has an external sponsor, please contact Olayinka Idowu at oidowu@tulane.edu or 504-988-6834

  If your study is investigator-initiated, funded by NIH, or lacks funding for IRB assistance, please contact Mya Sherman at msherman1@tulane.edu or 504-988-4644