Medical Student Education

Program Leadership

Sarah Anne McAvoy, MD
Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology
Vice Chair for Education
Residency Program Director
Department of Radiation Oncology

Zaker H. Rana, MD
Assistant Professor of Radiation Oncology
Director of Medical Student Elective Courses and
Medical Student Research Internships
Department of Radiation Oncology

‌Medical Student Elective Rotations

The Department of Radiation Oncology offers an in-person, four-week in-clinic rotation experience for third- and fourth-year medical students from the University of Maryland and other medical schools. This elective is designed to provide medical students with exposure to the practical aspects of radiation oncology and the management of cancer patients. Student rotators receive broad exposure to a variety of new patients, patients under treatment, and follow-up cases, participating fully with the faculty and staff in their evaluation and treatment. Students will have the opportunity to observe and participate in a wide array of technologies including proton therapy, stereotactic body radiotherapy, GammaPod™ treatment for early-stage breast cancer, hyperthermia, and various brachytherapy procedures. Exposure to computerized treatment planning using CT and MRI scanners will be available. Students will also have the opportunity to work on a clinical project if prior arrangements with faculty have been made.

Many students have benefited from the research opportunities leading to co-authored national conference presentations and manuscripts. This is an excellent opportunity to improve physical exam skills, and to gain hands-on experience of what the field of radiation oncology has to offer. The rotation is typically spent at our downtown clinics in Baltimore at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) and the Maryland Proton Treatment Center (MPTC).

For more information about medical student rotations or to apply for an elective opportunity, visit the AAMC Visting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO) program website. University of Maryland Students, please contact the Office of Student Affairs. For more information about setting up a virtual medical student rotation, please contact Education Program Manager Dionna Robinson at Dionna.Robinson@umm.edu or 410-328-1677.

Medical Student Research Opportunities

The Department of Radiation Oncology, which maintains a vigorous program of research across a broad spectrum of basic, translational, and clinical topics, values the participation of medical students in research activities. Each year, University of Maryland medical students collaborate directly with faculty members on cutting-edge investigations with resulting presentations, publications, and recognition.

Medical students who are interested in pursuing research projects in radiation oncology may reach out to Dionna Robinson at Dionna.Robinson@umm.edu or 410-328-1677. For additional research opportunities, please visit the Office of Student Research website.

Radiation Oncology Medical Student Summer Fellowship Program

The Radiation Oncology Medical Student Summer Fellowship Program is for first- or second-year medical students who will complete one research project in radiobiology, clinical radiation oncology, or physics during a ten-week summer program. The goal is for the project to lead to a publication or national presentation. The Radiation Oncology Summer Fellowship program application period opens on March 1 for University of Maryland medical students. Scholarships will be offered either jointly with the PRISM program or directly through the Department of Radiation Oncology, and funding ranges from $1,000 to $4,000. Candidates are encouraged to apply both for the both the PRISM program and Radiation Oncology Summer Fellowship Programs to maximize their chances for selection.

Pictured left are the 2019 summer research fellows outside of their work site on campus.

The department supports abstract submission fees during the research Summer Fellowship, and travel and conference attendance for a limited number of fellows to present their work at approved national meetings. In the photo to the right, University of Maryland medical student and summer fellowship award recipient Njambi Kiguru received gave her oral presentation at the 2024 University of Maryland School of Medicine Student Research Forum held on-campus in Baltimore.

Pictured left are University of Maryland medical students Zach Keepers, Desiree Lejano and Bolutife Olagunju showcasing their radiation oncology summer research projects at the 46^th  University of Maryland School of Medicine Medical Student Research Day on November 28, 2023.

To apply to the Summer Fellowship, please complete the below online application form by the deadline (TBA for 2025). You must include one letter of recommendation and a personal statement. 

Application: Summer Fellowship Application