Office of Student Research

Summer Research Program for UM Medical Students

PURPOSE: The Summer Research Program provides supervised full-time research experiences for incoming medical students and those at any level of the four-year curriculum. The purpose of the program is: 1) to encourage students to consider the possibility of a career in biomedical or clinical research and/or academic medicine; and 2) to provide students with a realistic understanding of the medical research environment.

FACULTY & PROJECTS: Any member of the School of Medicine who is at least at the level of Assistant Professor and who has suitable research support may be a research mentor for a medical student. Students should consult with the Director prior to and during the choice of a mentor. A listing of many faculty members and their research at the School of Medicine is available on-line via the Office of Student Research web site. Students will be directed towards one or more possible web pages.

DURATION & FUNDING: The program offers full-time experience for 10 weeks during the summer, or other times during the year when deemed appropriate. A stipend (2007 level of $400/week) will be awarded on a competitive basis. The total stipend permitted to any student in this program from this and any other sources may not exceed the amount that would be awarded by the program alone.

TRAVEL AWARDS: Travel awards to scientific meetings may be available to qualified students by separate application, available in the Office of Student Research (OSR). It is expected that the student's research mentor will provide matching funds. Applications may be made at any time during the year but at least four weeks prior to the meeting.

APPLICATIONS AND DEADLINE: Forms and instructions are available at the OSR web site. Applications for the summer should be returned to the OSR no later than February 23, 2007.

REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: Applications are reviewed and the merit of the project is judged on the basis of: a) clearly stated objectives; b) presentation of sound methodology; c) appropriate plans for data analysis; d) rationale and significance of the research; and e) feasibility within the training period. The OSR may request an interview with the student and/or sponsor. Applicants may receive a written critique of his/her application.

NOTIFICATION AND AFFIRMATION: Applicants are notified in no later than April 15 of the outcome of the review process. Applicants whose research is approved are expected to affirm acceptance of the traineeship within 10 days.

ACTIVITIES: Participation in the summer program includes required attendance at the Orientation program on May 30-May 31, the Colloquium on Science series given by invited guests during the training period, a course on the Ethical & Responsible Conduct of Research, and the Student Research Forum on August 3, 2007. Trainees are strongly encouraged to participate in Medical Student Research Day in the fall.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The Office of Student Research encourages all mentors to support presentation of high quality student papers at national scientific meetings and to acknowledge the source of student support in all publications.

REQUIREMENTS: All trainees are required to complete pre-training and post-training questionnaires, submit a scientific abstract for the forum, and submit a scientific report and narrative critique of summer activities. The scientific report and critique are to be submitted to the Office of Student Research within 30 days after the conclusion of summer activities.

Contact:

Office of Student Research
10 S. Pine Street
MSTF 300
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Baltimore, MD 21201
[410] 706-3026 - [410] 706-0094 (fax)
StudentResearch@som.umaryland.edu