DermSRP Program

Mission Statement

The Department of Dermatology Summer Medical Student Research Program (DermSRP) is a mentored research program for students between their first and second year of medical school to have a meaningful mentored clinical or basic science research experience in dermatology.

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Program Locations

Location will depend on the research project you are matched with. This information will be shared once your application is received and processed.

Goals

The primary objective of the Dermatology Summer Medical Student Research Program is to provide a meaningful mentored clinical or basic science research experience in dermatology. We also offer one summer program in medical education. Secondary objectives include:

Enhance exposure to dermatologic research or scholarly education.
Develop clinical or basic science research skills including scientific presentation and writing

Eligibility

University of Utah School of Medicine MS1 students will be given priority. Non-University of Utah students will also be considered.

Timeline

8 weeks, starting June 23rd in parallel with the University of Utah’s RUUTE/MSRP program (https://medicine.utah.edu/medresearch/)( https://medicine.utah.edu/programs/ruute/current-students/rural-electives)

Expectations

The student is expected to identify a dermatology faculty mentor to identify a potential research project between November and February. Working with the faculty mentor, the student must accomplish the following:

Complete the “Expectations Worksheet" below.
Complete all CITI training prior to starting the program.
All projects must be IRB approved prior to the start of the program.
Students are encouraged to attend their mentor’s clinic at least ½ day/week.
Meet regularly (on a pre-determined schedule) with the mentor for feedback and progress reports
Attend the DermSRP lectures (highly recommended)

Expectations Worksheet

Students are expected to work 40 hours/week
Students are expected to participate in the weekly Summer Research Course Series offered by the MSRP/RUUTE, including classes on research ethics, reproducibility, grant writing, best practices for presentation, and seminars/Q&A sessions with physician-scientists on topics related to their research.
During Fall semester, the MSRP/RUUTE hosts a Research Forum where students present posters on their work and their faculty mentors are invited.
Following the summer research program, in Fall semester, the Department of Dermatology will host a research showcase which is another opportunity to present your work.
The student must complete CITI training prior to starting the program.
All projects must be IRB approved prior to the start of the program.
Students are encouraged to attend their mentor’s clinic ½ day/week.
Students and mentors should meet regularly (on a pre-determined schedule; we suggest at least weekly) for feedback and progress reports.

Deliverables

An Abstract presentation is due in the fall for MSRP/RUUTE Research Forum
Present a poster at the Fall MSRP/RUUTE Research Forum
Present at the Fall DermSRP Department showcase

Salary Support

Each student will receive a $3000 stipend paid in 2 installments:

$1500 will be paid in mid-June
$1500 will be paid after receipt of the student’s abstract
Up to $1000 in research funds are available for materials/statistical support (a written budget that has been approved by the Department of Dermatology required).