Student Research Programs

Students chosen for the program conduct a pre-selected, mentored research project and present their project outcomes to the scientific community. This summer experience includes didactic research training and personalized application in research design, implementation and presentation. At the end of the program, some students continue working with their mentor, often resulting in conference presentations and/or publications.

Find more information about the program in the Summer Scholars Description or access the Summer Scholars Application.

To work with these departments outside of the traditional academic year, medical students must sign up as a volunteer. This ensures that students are properly trained and prepared to work in a clinical setting, and can adhere to the ethical standards and protocols required for individual research studies.

Clinical sites with active research studies:

• Strelitz Diabetes CeStrelitz Diabetes Center Clinical Trials
• CONRAD
• Virginia HIV/AIDS Resource and Consultation Center
• Leroy T. Canoles Jr. Cancer Research Center
• Center for Integrative Neuroscience and Inflammatory Diseases
• Other Clinical Trails

These collaborative research projects, grounded in reciprocal partnerships that draw on the cultural wealth of people and communities, can lead to breakthroughs in disciplinary understanding and methods while also addressing important public challenges.

Given that engaged scholarship differs from traditional clinical studies, community-based research requires new kinds of infrastructure, professional networks, and intellectual exchange. As a result, community-based research offers a unique opportunity for medical students to contribute to meaningful research projects that benefit both themselves and the communities they serve.

Community-based research opportunities include:

• Community Health and Research
• Collaboratives
• Community-Engaged Learning