The CUSOM Medical Student Summer Research Scholars (MSSRS) Program is a summer research opportunity that is open to rising MS-2 students only. The project period is 7 weeks during the summer, during which time the students is expected to devote at least 6 full weeks to the project.
Required Components
Research Project
There are 3 different types of summer scholar projects: Biomedical, Clinical or Simulation medicine projects.
Students are expected to work in the lab throughout the duration of the project period under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students may be away from campus or occasionally absent from progress meetings, with prior approval from the faculty mentor. The research question and methodology can be tailored to the student’s interest, but the framework of the project should be in line with the faculty mentor’s area of expertise. The depth and scope of the project should also be such that the student can contribute actively to the project during the summer.
Students are expected to work on the project throughout the duration of the project period under the guidance of a faculty or resident mentor. Ideal projects for summer clinical scholars might include a literature review, a case study write up, or a quality improvement project for the local clinical setting. Students may be away from the clinical site or occasionally absent from progress meetings, with prior approval from the mentor. The project and methodology can be tailored to the student’s interest, but the framework of the project should be in line with the faculty mentor’s area of expertise. The depth and scope of the project should also be such that the student can contribute actively to the project during the summer. Clinical scholars may also participate in the shadowing experiences at the local clinical sites. These should be arranged with the assistance of the faculty mentor. If the proposed clinical project is less than 6 weeks duration, please include additional aspects of the project that the student can complete during the remaining 2 weeks (e.g. literature review, case report manuscript, poster design, etc.).
Students are expected to work in the simulation center throughout the duration of the project period under the guidance of a faculty mentor. Students may be away from campus or occasionally absent from progress meetings, with prior approval from the faculty mentor. The research question and methodology can be tailored to the student’s interest, but the framework of the project should be in line with the faculty mentor’s area of expertise. The depth and scope of the project should also be such that the student can contribute actively to the project during the summer.
Mentor Responsibilities
An important element of a successful MSSRS project is the mentoring relationship between the student and the faculty member overseeing the research project. Faculty who submit an MSSRS proposal are expected to actively participate in the 7-week program. Faculty mentors should support the research effort by providing appropriate training and background materials to support the student effort. Faculty mentors should also plan to attend the weekly work in progress sessions whenever possible. The mentor-student relationship should be an active process that will last at least as long as the summer research period.
Research Ethics
The student will attend a session on Responsible Conduct of Research. Date: TBD
Work in Progress sessions
Students will attend each of the weekly work-in-progress sessions and present at least once. Participants in these weekly sessions will include all MSSRS participants and will provide the opportunity for MSSRS participants to present their work to student peers. A brief written report of the presentation will serve as a progress report.
Final Project report
At the conclusion of the summer session, the student will submit a final project report. Details of the format for the report will be provided later. The final report is due in August.
Presentation
MSSRS participants will present their work in the form of a poster or oral presentation at a local, regional, or national meeting. The Interprofessional Education Symposium held each spring at Campbell University is one such opportunity to present the project, and all MSSRS participants are encouraged to present a poster at the event.
Eligibility
Project proposals are reviewed at the February research committee meeting. Following approval by the research committee, projects are announced to the students in the early spring. Students must meet the following in order to participate in the summer scholars program:
- Rising MS-2 student
- In good academic standing with at least 3.0 cumulative GPA. Please note, students not at this minimum GPA at the end of block 4, will not be permitted to participate. For planning purposes, faculty mentors will be notified at the end of block 3 if a student is not at this GPA.
- Have approval from the Student Affairs office with regard to professionalism, etc.
- Agree to participate fully in the program as described above
- Be eligible to receive a stipend from the university ($1500 for the summer research period)
Contact
For more information, contact the Department of Research.