Research Opportunities Roadmap
for PLME Students

• Introduction
• Getting Started
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Finding and Funding Research Opportunities
• Presenting Your Research

1. Introduction

Research, both clinical and basic laboratory, is the foundation of evidence-based medicine. Research experience during medical school can serve several purposes. It can enhance learning through exposure to the process of generating and testing hypotheses. It can provide insight into data analysis and interpretation. Research experiences put you in contact with clinical investigators and basic scientists who can serve as career advisors and mentors. Finally, a research experience during medical school can open the door to a research career by exposing you to the pleasure of discovering new knowledge and the intellectual challenge of biomedical investigation.

The Division of Biology and Medicine and the Medical School’s affiliated partners offer a broad range of research opportunities. An approach to exploring these is detailed below.

Most PLME opt to do research at some point in their undergraduate or medical school career. Students have a number of options for structuring a research experience within the context of their studies. It can take the form of a brief independent study, a longitudinal experience, a summer experience, an additional year of study, or a second degree program (MMS or PhD).

Deciding on an approach that is right for you requires careful thought and advice. There is no single approach that works best. Rather, you should seek information and advice from faculty and colleagues.

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2. Getting Started

Step 1: Identify the type of research experience you would like to pursue (clinical versus basic science; summer opportunity versus longitudinal experience; full-year experience). Students with minimal prior research experience should aim for a brief, focused period during which they are exposed to the research environment and the scientific method (clinical or lab-based). Periods of less than four weeks will not offer sufficient immersion in the research environment. A freshman may want a summer research opportunity in a lab.  A sophomore or junior may be looking for an on-campus research opportunity that may lead to a thesis project.  Students at any point may want to devote a full year to full-time research.

Step 2: Identify potential mentors. This will most often be based on the research area or topic. However, it is critical that you and your mentor "click;" the nature of the personal interaction is key. Information and advice from your peers can be very helpful. Students of any year should approach faculty in their fields of interest.  This can be done via email, phone, or a conversation after class. Students should ask each other about any research experiences they’ve had.  Your classmates can be one of the best resources in helping you find a research experience.  After speaking with faculty and other students you may want to make use of the multiple resources on campus and on the Internet.

The Undergraduate Biology Office maintains a database of project opportunities and faculty involved in research.

Brown’s new research grant search engine (GSE) allows you to identify funded research programs in the Brown medical community by topic or keyword. This is an effective starting point if you are just beginning to identify potential mentors.

Step 3: Work with your identified research advisor to identify a project that is of interest to you, offers the kind of experience you are looking for, and is feasible within the time you have available. A good research project should have the potential to generate data that are new and of interest. Potential impact matters. It is reasonable to expect that you will contribute to work that will be published and that your contribution will be acknowledged through co-authorship.

Step 4: If you will be devoting more time than a brief independent study period to your research experience, explore opportunities for funding. A Summer Research Assistantship (SRA) is the most readily available source of funding. Information on this and other potential sources of funding is provided below.

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3. Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to do research in order to gain a good residency?

No! While a research experience (especially a productive one) can enhance your experience and your CV, it is not a requirement for obtaining an excellent residency position. You should distinguish yourself from other applicants by doing whatever it is that is most important and of the greatest interest to you. Health policy work, community service or teaching experience can all benefit your candidacy for resident positions. You should undertake research because you want to.

What are the differences between clinical research and basic science research?

Clinical research involves human subjects. Basic science research does not. That being said, a great deal of clinical research also involves work at the lab bench. In this era of genomics, population genetics, sophisticated imaging, etc., the line between clinical and basic research is often blurry with regard to what the researcher does on a day-to-day basis.

What about public health, health services, and health policy research?

Research in these areas may involve the mining of large data sets, or it may involve focused interviewing or even library- (or web-) based investigation. As in other areas, the key to identifying a research project that suits you is identifying a mentor who has ideas and the access to resources and infrastructure you need to do the research.

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4. Finding And Funding A Research Experience

Professors are an extremely valuable source of information and advice. Most professors at Brown are eager to find students that are interested in research. If they do not have opportunities themselves, they generally know of colleagues to get in touch with who do have opportunities for students. Your classmates are also a good resource. Ask them about their experiences with specific mentors, programs and labs.

Research Resources and Opportunities, On Campus and Off

Division of Biology and Medicine

The Division of Biology and Medicine, which includes faculty from the campus-based life sciences departments and from the hospital-based clinical departments, has a searchable database. Use this database to search by faculty name, department, or area of research.

Fellowships

The PLME Office has listed many of the fellowships available on campus and off campus at Fellowships page.

The Office of the Dean of the College also has excellent resources for research funding.  It is the clearinghouse for many of the Brown only student research grants.  They also have more information on the nationally competitive grants (e.g. Rhodes, Marshall, Fulbright).  The Office of the Dean of the College is located in University Hall.

International Opportunities and the Foreign Studies Fellowship Program

International research appeals to many students as it combines the practice of science with the inherent struggles of entering a new place and new culture.  The biggest difference between international research and research in America is the time and effort needed to pursue the opportunity.  If you are looking to do research abroad you must start early to 1) find a program and/or mentor, and 2) to find funding.  Nonetheless there are plenty of established programs for those interested in international health.Through the Foreign Studies Fellowship Program the International Health Institute gives Brown students at the undergraduate and graduate levels grants for travel and research in another country.  Students are encouraged and are given assistance in writing proposals for the program.  Applications are due at least 7 months prior to the intended date of your travel.  All Foreign Studies Fellowship Program information is housed at International Health Institute. Students with questions about the program can check http://bms.brown.edu/ihi/ .

National Institutes of Health

The National Institutes of Health have a variety of programs that fund the research of undergraduate and medical students.  There are programs that allow students come to the main campus of the NIH in Bethesda, Maryland.  There are programs that allow the student to do research at her own campus or the campus of another university.  You can obtain more information about these opportunities go to the “Career Opportunities” link on the NIH homepage www.nih.gov.

The PULSE

The Pulse is published once a month by the Office of Student Affairs and sent to every PLME and medical student. The "Announcements" section usually contains multiple listings of research opportunities and funding options. Most are targeted toward medical students. It is a good resource for finding out about opportunities through professional organizations (e.g. American Medical Association) and medical institutes.

Royce Fellowship Program

The Royce Fellowship Program was established to provide Brown students with funding for an academic project over a summer or academic year.  The program is run by the Swearer Center for Public Service, Brown University Box 1974, Providence, RI 02912, p: 401-863-2338, f: 401-863-3094.  The advantage of this program is that it allows the student more freedom in designing his research experience.  Students interested in this program must begin developing their project proposal months in advance of the early February deadline.  More information can be found on the Swearer Center Royce page.

The Summer Research Assistantship (SRA) Program

Summer Research Assistantships offer funding to PLME students who wish to spend 10 weeks over a summer doing research in the biomedical sciences, or the social and behavioral sciences. Students are paired with hospital-based or campus-based faculty. Funding provides for a stipend of $3,000. This program is housed in the PLME office, located on the first floor of Arnold Lab, which refers each student to an online list of approved faculty mentors and their projects each year in late October. This gives students a starting point for contacting faculty. Faculty not included on the list may sponsor students as well. Information pertaining to this program, including details on the application and funding process, can be found at SRA page.

The Summer Research Assistantship Emergency Medicine (SRA-EM) Program

Summer Research Assistantships-Emergency Medicine offer funding to PLME students who wish to spend 10 weeks over a summer doing research with a Department of Emergency Medicine faculty member. Funding provides for a stipend of $3,000. This program is housed in the PLME office, located on the first floor of Arnold Lab, which refers each student to an online list of approved faculty mentors and their projects each year in late October. Information pertaining to this program, including details on the application and funding process, can be found at SRA-EM page.

The Summer Fellowship for the Arts and Humanities in Medicine (A&H)

Summer Fellowship for the Arts and Humanities in Medicine expands opportunities for student scholarship into new interdisciplinary areas and recognizes the value of the arts and humanities in medicine. Funding provides for a stipend of $3,000. This program is housed in the PLME office, located on the first floor of Arnold Lab. Students must identify their own faculty mentor and project. Information pertaining to this program, including details on the application and funding process, can be found at the A&H page.

Undergraduate Teaching and Research Assistantship Program (UTRA)

The Undergraduate Teaching and Research Assistantship Program is run by the Dean of the College.  It pairs undergraduate students with faculty mentors to develop a project, update a course, or conduct research.  It provides funding for a summer or academic year experience.  More information can be found on the UTRA page.

Degree Granting Programs

Master of Medical Science

The MMS degree is targeted to medical students who wish to obtain experience in biomedical research through the preparation of a research thesis. Details can be found at http://bms.brown.edu/academics/mms.html.

The program is intended for students enrolled in the first year of medical school. Applications are made to the Graduate School for admission to one of the Graduate Programs of the Division of Biology and Medicine. Enrollment in other Graduate Programs in the University is possible if the student meets the admission requirements of those programs.

Admission is limited to students who have a high record of academic performance, who have submitted a thesis research plan approved by a prospective thesis supervisor in one of the graduate programs, and who are recommended by the appropriate graduate program Admissions Committee and the Associate Dean for Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies of the Division of Biology and Medicine.

MD/PhD Program

The MD/PhD program at Brown University is directed by Anita Zimmerman, PhD. While students enter the MD/PhD route from various backgrounds and for various reasons, the program has a single goal of promoting future careers in academic medicine. A common thread among MD/PhD students is an extensive research background that shows a true commitment to and desire for integrating research and clinical medicine. The time commitment is substantial. Students spend four years in medical school and at least three years in graduate work. Full tuition funding is provided for all years of the program save for the first two years of medical school. There are generally only three to four students accepted to the program each year. More information can be found at http://bms.brown.edu/mdphd/.

MPH Program

Brown University’s Program in Public Health boasts a fully-accredited Master of Public Health Program, directed by Patrick Vivier, MD, PhD. The goal of the program is to help students become skilled professionals committed to improving the health of communities by translating rigorous scientific research into sound, evidence-based public health policy and practice. Students in the MPH Program are closely involved with the Program in Public Health’s nine public health research centers, in which they experience directly the synergies among public health research, dissemination, and the shaping of health policy. Brown MD students must apply to the MPH program through the traditional route of admission, via the Brown Graduate School. More information about the MPH can be found at http://bms.brown.edu/pubhealth/mph/.

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5. Presenting Your Research

Interacting with your colleagues in research is one of the most gratifying parts of a research experience. The research you do is of no consequence if it is not communicated to others. Your mentor/sponsor will undoubtedly have considerable experience in the presentation of their work, and you should expect to be encouraged to present your work in a variety of settings, including lab meetings, division or departmental conferences, University-wide research events, and national and international conferences.

At the end of each summer the Division of Biology and Medicine hosts a Biomedical Symposium featuring the research of its students. This forum provides the opportunity for student researchers to present their work to their peers and faculty.

Whenever possible, students should take advantage of opportunities to present at national and international conferences. Many mentors/sponsors have funding available for student travel through their research grants. Presentation of one’s research at a national or international conference is a special opportunity.

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