Introduction to Research
There are a variety of ways students can engage in research at the McGovern Medical School (MMS) at UTHealth. These include formal programs like MMS’ Summer Research Program (SRP), Scholarly Concentrations Program (SCP), Dual Degree Programs, and/or external programs. Students can also engage in research at the Texas Medical Center independent of a formal program by finding a mentor and joining a research group without the guidance of a formal program. See the “Research Opportunities” for information on formal programming.
Many research programs require the identification of a faculty research mentor, including the MMS SRP. For such programs, identifying a research mentor is always the first step. It is important to identify a good faculty research mentor with whom you can work closely and comfortably. The MSRO has a repository of research mentors interested in working with medical students. Click here to identify mentors in specialties of interest. Refer to this site for step-by-step guidance on finding a good mentor. If you would like to see a template for a memo to a potential mentor, click here.
For research programs that require a mentor and research proposal, you will work closely with your identified mentor to prepare the application proposal. The described project will almost certainly be among the many aspects of the research of your mentor, and in large laboratories you may be working with others on the same project, junior professors, postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows, graduate students, or other medical students. Your mentor’s guidance and input is an integral part of the preparation of the application proposal; the working relationship developed at the proposal stage will be a sign of the success and longevity of this relationship. Preparation of a Research Proposal which usually includes a Project Abstract are important skills for a career in academic medicine.
A goal of every research project is the potential for presentation at a local or national conference and publication in a scholarly journal. Discuss these objectives with your mentor. Discussions like these and alignment of your goals with your mentor’s is a sign of a successful relationship. Good mentors will guide you toward the appropriate venues for presentation of your work, and preparation of a good research poster or oral presentation. Mentors will also guide you to the appropriate journals for publication. For a journal publication, involvement in a project usually will extend beyond a short-term or summer program. A mentor may put your name on a publication written by others if you contributed in a substantial and/or intellectual way to the work of the project.
https://www3.mdanderson.org/library/publishing/publishing.html Elsevier also has a Researcher Academy with free videos that anyone can view Videos developed by the MDACC Medical Research Library AMSO Presentation on Proposal Writing, 3-1-2022
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
Summer Research Program (SRP)
Will the Summer Research Program in person for virtually for the Summer? What is the timeline for the SRP? What is the program overview? Is Orientation mandatory? Is attending the Closing Ceremony mandatory?
The summer program is a hybrid model. Orientation and closing ceremony are in-person. Weekly seminar sessions are virtual.
Click on this link to access the SRP Calendar.
If you are a McGovern Medical School at UTHealth first-year medical student, you can gain hands-on laboratory experience under the supervision of a faculty sponsor during the summer between your first and second year of medical school. As part of our program, you will receive special training in laboratory and radiation safety, laboratory animal methodology, research technology, and biomedical ethics. Also, as part of the program you will attend weekly seminars by guest speakers focusing on cutting-edge research and career development. As a summer research program student you will be guided by your faculty mentor on a research project over a 10-week period. Students are expected to work 40 hours per week on their research in their selected faculty mentor’s laboratory. At the conclusion of the program you will submit an abstract of your research. Your mentor will also help you develop a poster that must be presented at the annual Research Forum held in the fall.
Yes, there will be speakers from the McGovern Medical School. We will also conduct various trainings during orientation.
Yes, important announcements and your SRP certificate will be handed out during this time.
When does the online application become available? What is the MS1 online application link? What is the deadline for the online application? What if I missed the deadline? Can I participate in SRP if the application is submit after the deadline? You may request funding from your mentor or mentor’s department. Can I be considered for Dean’s funds with MD Anderson faculty? The answer is NO, but we still encourage application to SRP. The MDACC faculty may be referred on our SRP lists but those projects are not eligible for the Dean’s funds that are tied to MMS. Exception cases where the student also has an MMS co-mentor collaborating on the same project and the MMS faculty/department has the funding to contribute, then the student is eligible to compete. Note: Should the student has an MMS co-mentor for the project and the faculty has funding to support the student, please notify the MSRO office immediately at MSRO@uth.tmc.edu. Online application MUST meet the February 1 deadline NO exceptions. What is the application process? If my mentor asks for a letter of reference, who do I get letters from? What is the stipend amount for SRP MS1 students? How important is it to do well on my research proposal? Do I still receive a stipend if my research proposal is not one of the top ranking 60 proposals? After I have submitted my online application, how do I know when my faculty mentor has approved my proposal and submitted the online application on my behalf? What happens after my mentor has submitted my online application? You should be receiving an email from Mrs. Linh Trinh with some news by mid April if not sooner.
McGovern Medical School Student Online Application period is December 1 – February 1 (Online portal link opens December 1).
Refer to this site to fill out your MS1 on-line application. You can also find the online application locating on the main MS1 SRP website.
Supporting documents must be received by 11:59pm CST, February 1. Note: Your mentor must e-signed the online application and hit the submit button by the deadline).
This deadline is for those who are competing for the Dean’s Contribution Funds (DCFs). After this date, you won’t be able to be considered for the DCF. Students submitting an online application after the DCF deadline, you may still apply to participate in SRP and receive blue book credit upon fulfilling all SRP requirements.
Refer to this link for more detailed steps.
If it is a research program, you should get letters that can speak to your research skills and interests. These would be from past research mentors, preferably the head of previous labs in which you had worked.
Refer to this Program Overview for more specific details on stipend distributions.
It is very important to do well on your research proposal as part of your online application. You are competing against your peers for the Dean’s Contribution Funds (DCF) of $2,500 (only top ranking 60 MS1 students will receive the DCF with your faculty mentor’s contribution fund of $1,500. Our goal is to award each student $4,000 for the 10 weeks.
We are asking your mentor/department to provide you support with a minimum of $2,000. You are encouraged to have a stipend discussion with your faculty mentor before the application deadline. Should your mentor mentioned there is no funding, please contact us at MSRO@uth.tmc.edu.
You will receive an auto email once your faculty mentor has successfully e-signed and submitted your online application. Your faculty mentor can log on and approve from any destination so long as there is internet access. It is your responsibility to stay in touch with your mentor to have the application turned in by the deadline.
During the first week of April, a selected number of McGovern Medical Faculty Judges will be assigned to judge your proposal. Each proposal will be judged by two judges. (Note: Your mentor will not be assigned to judge your proposal). Your name will not be attached or associated with your proposal for this process. Once the judges have turned in and all scores are tallied, Mrs. Linh Trinh will notify students, their faculty mentor, and department administrator via email to fill out a “Stipend Form”:
1. Top 60 students who received the Dean’s Contribution Funds (DCF) or
2. Those who do not make the list but has their faculty mentor’s contribution funds
How do I find a research mentor at MMS? Do I need a research advisor or mentor to apply for SRP? Do I need a research advisor or mentor to apply for other summer experiences? I found a mentor but my mentor doesn’t have any funding to support me for the summer. What should I do? How do I identify Research Areas of Interest and Finding a Mentor? What should I do after I have gone through the Faculty Mentor List and still not sure who to contact or the next steps? How long do I wait for a response from a mentor?
There are a variety of ways, most importantly go to events like Grand Rounds and research seminars, and talk to faculty and fellow students. Keep your eyes and ears open for opportunities. Websites and the SRP database are two great starting points. Also see document here entitled “Identifying Research and a Mentor”. Click on this link to look up faculty listing who have expressed interests in mentoring MS1 students.
Yes, for the MMS SRP you will need to identify a research mentor and work with them on your application’s research proposal.
Not necessarily, each fellowship or research program may be different. Read descriptions carefully for application requirements and deadlines.
Contact Mrs. Linh Trinh to discuss your options. It depends on the department areas. Some departments might set aside funding for programs like this.
Click on this link for more detailed information.
You have several options:
Allow 5-7 days for a reply before sending a follow-up message. If a second follow-up message does not receive a response, consider this a nonviable option and seek alternatives (next on the list).
My mentor is from MDACC, do I need to notify someone about this? A member of the MSRO staff will contact your mentor so that they are aware of the MMS Summer Research Program requirements. Students participating in MDACC SRP will also need to fill out an MMS SRP online application form and follow all program guidelines as other MS1 students. Upon successfully completing the program requirements, a letter will go in the blue book upon graduation. I got accepted into MDACC’s Summer Research Program, do I also need to fill out McGovern Medical School’s MS1 online application? My mentor is from MDACC and their name does not populate in the drop down list on the online application form. Who should I list? How do I receive recognition upon graduation for participating in the MDACC’s Summer Research Program (SRP)? Program Requirements All students will have the opportunity for the following: Note: MMS MS1 SRP students participating in the MDACC SRP are not eligible to compete for the McGovern Medical School’s Dean Contribution Funds as part of the online application.
Yes, please contact Mrs. Linh Trinh as soon as possible and provide your mentor’s contact information to include:
a. Name of program at MDACC
b. Name
c. Department
d. Email
e. Phone number
f. Coordinator/or mentor’s admin person
g. Formal Name of MDACC SRP program
Yes, it is very important that you notify Mrs. Linh Trinh as soon as possible. Students participating in MDACC SRP will also need to fill out an MMS SRP online application form and follow all program guidelines as other MS1 students to get credit upon graduation.
On the application form list Linh Trinh as your faculty since your mentor’s name will not show up in the drop down box. Next, in the “Proposal Title” space on your application, first list your mentor’s name – MDACC and department name then the title of your research. See example below:
Proposal Title:
Dr. Kelly Nelson – MDACC – Department of Dermatology; Title of your research
Students will need to also fill out an MS1 online application found on the MS1 SRP website and follow all guidelines as those MMS SRP students.
My mentor is from Baylor, Memorial Hermann, Methodist, or from other entities for independent research, do I need to notify someone about this? A member of the MSRO staff will contact your mentor so that they are aware of the MMS Summer Research Program requirements. Students participating in research outside of MMS will also need to fill out an MMS SRP online application form and follow all program guidelines as other MS1 students. Upon successfully completing the program requirements, a letter will go in the blue book upon graduation. Program Requirements All students will have the opportunity for the following: Note: If your mentor is not a fulltime (100% time) faculty at MMS, you are not eligible to compete for the McGovern Medical School’s Dean Contribution Funds as part of the online application.
Yes, please contact MSRO@uth.tmc.edu as soon as possible and provide your mentor’s contact information to include:
a. Name
b. Department
c. Email
d. Phone number
e. Coordinator/or mentor’s admin person
Scholarly Concentration Program (SCP)
What is the website for McGovern Medical School at UTHealth’s Scholarly Concentration Program? What is the program overview? Students participating in a Scholarly Concentration will engage in an independent, scholarly project guided by a faculty mentor. Examples of possible scholarly projects include, but are not limited to, the following: Students who successfully fulfill the concentration requirements will receive a certificate of completion and will be recognized at commencement.
https://med.uth.edu/oep/scholarly-concentrations-program/
The UTHealth Scholarly Concentration Program is designed to enrich the student experience through learning and scholarly activities specific to an interdisciplinary health-related topic.
What is the application link? What is the application process? * First-year medical students are eligible to apply in January upon successful completion of their first semester of work. Students will be notified of their application status by the director of the concentration. Acceptance in a concentration will be determined by the Concentration Director based on the student application, specific concentration requirements, and the number of positions available. Can I participate in more than one concentration? When should I fill out the online application form? When is the deadline for acceptance? Do I need to identify a mentor prior to filling out my online application for SCP? Once the online application has been submitted, how long does it take for the approval process?
Complete the online application
Interested students should:
Student success is everyone’s priority. Participating in more than one Scholarly Concentration could compete with and diminish the success and depth of each scholarly activity; therefore, participation in only one program is allowed. It is encouraged that you choose a concentration that best fits your current personal and professional interests. For added intellectual or clinical interests consider attending complementary academic forums, such as departmental seminars, grand rounds, or research meetings.
If you have identified a mentor, you can fill out the online application form as early as January.
We practice rolling acceptance for each concentration. There is not a set deadline date for the application but it is highly recommended to submit your application after you have submitted your Summer Research Program (SRP).
No, it is not necessary but it will help in expediting the admission procedure for the director(s).
Time varies from a few days to more than a week. Our office receives and auto email notification once your application has been submitted. Next step is for our office to seek your academic standing from Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA). Once that information has been confirmed, OEP will change your status to under the concentration director’s review. You should receive an auto email each time notifying you of the status of your application.
Do I need to identify a mentor prior to filling out my online application for SCP? Where do I find a list of mentors for each concentration? Potential mentors need to be approved by the Concentration director(s). Do I need to have the same mentor as the one from my SRP? You can locate the mentor list on the last page of each concentration’s curriculum. The following concentrations with an (asterisk) denotes the requirement to be in the SRP : 2. No, you can have a different mentor if you plan to enroll in a concentration that does not require you to participate in the SRP. What happens if I found a mentor but he/she is not listed on the concentration’s approved list? What if my SRP mentor does not get approved to be listed on the concentration’s mentor list? I am an MS2. Is it too late to enroll in the concentration?
No, it is not necessary but it will help in expediting the admission procedure for the director(s).
The approved list of mentors are located on the last page of each concentration’s curriculum. The list of Faculty who have previously participated in the Scholarly Concentration Program or have indicated a desire to work with medical students interested in research. The listing is not exclusive. Students may find other acceptable faculty through student societies, seminars, or institutional websites. Please approach potential mentors from our institution and if help is needed, reach out to the MSRO staff or the director(s) for assistance.
1. Yes, if you are planning to enroll in one of the concentrations that requires you to be in the SRP, your mentor needs to be from the approved SCP mentor list. If your SRP mentor is not on the approved concentration mentor list, the potential mentor needs to be approved by the Concentration Director(s). Your mentor will need to submit a brief but detailed information explaining how the research relates to the specific concentration. Send that information to Mrs. Linh Trinh and it will need to be approved by the Director(s) of the Concentration and Program. Once it has been approved, the mentor’s name will be added to the concentration mentor listing.
Contact Mrs. Linh Trinh regarding this. Your mentor will need to submit a brief but detailed information explaining how the research relates to the specific concentration. Send that information to Mrs. Linh Trinh and it will need to be approved by the Director(s) of the Concentration and Program. Once it has been approved, the mentor’s name will be added to the concentration mentor listing.
You will need to make a change in mentor. Work with the director(s) of the concentration to assist you with a mentor matching.
It depends on the concentration you are interested in and your prior research experience. Contact the MSRO for guidance.
Third Year/Student Research Elective
What is the procedure for Third Year/Student Research Elective? Online Student Research Elective Worksheet Your completed worksheet will be routed for your mentor’s signature. Once your mentor submitted your request, the system will automatically routed to the appropriate parties for approval. You will receive an auto email once your request has been approved. OASA will send you the a class code for you to add to your schedule. You MUST add the class to your schedule before you may start your elective. Upon completing your elective, your mentor will need to complete your evaluation form within the next seven days. To start this process, return to your online worksheet. enter your assigned class number and submit the form to your mentor to complete. Your mentor will be prompted by the automatic system to complete your evaluation. A grade will go in your file only when the MSRO received your completed evaluation form from your mentor. How long is the elective? After completing my Third Year Elective, what’s the next step? Once your mentor emailed MSRO the signed evaluation, the course director will approve your evaluation before a grade will be entered into the system. A grade will go in your file only when: If you do not see your grade posted in the system after a few weeks of completion, please contact us at MSRO@uth.tmc.edu. For students who filled out the online form: It is the responsibility of the student to follow up the entire process to ensure a grade is posted in myUTH.
Once you received the lotto from Office of Admission and Student Affairs (OASA), you will need to seek approval from the Medical Student Research Office (MSRO) before adding the elective to your schedule. Submit your elective request to MSRO by filling out the following online worksheet – Note: Your mentor must sign and submit your worksheet at least 30 days in advance before your actual start date:
It is about three weeks.
For students who did not use the online worksheet previously:
Upon completing your elective, your mentor will need to complete your evaluation form within the next seven days. To start this process, fill out the Student Research Elective Evaluation and Summary Form, forward it to your mentor to complete, sign and submit to MSRO@uth.tmc.edu. A grade will go in your file only when the MSRO received your completed evaluation form from your mentor.
1. MSRO received your completed evaluation form from your mentor, and
2. Your course number is on the evaluation form.
Upon completing your elective, return to your online worksheet. enter your assigned class number and submit the form. Your mentor will be prompted by the automatic system to complete your evaluation. A grade will go in your file only when the MSRO received your completed evaluation form from your mentor.
Do I need research for my residency program? I have done independent research and would like to let someone know my progress. Where do I submit my information? If I am interested in ‘academic medicine’, do I have to do research?
Possibly, always check with your MMS Advisor and faculty in the residencies of your choice. More competitive residencies will likely favor research experiences in their specialty area. MS1 and MS2 years are the times to engage in these explorations.
Please enter your research information in the Medical Student Research Office’s Medical Student Research Catalog.
Not necessarily, although many academic physicians do engage in research of various kinds (basic, translational, clinical, educational, behavioral, etc.). Academic medicine involves doing any combination of research, education, and clinical practice. For more information on what ‘academic medicine’ means and how to prepare for that career path see Dr. Mary Kollmer Horton’s presentation on this topic.
Website update as of 1/27/2024