photos of our researchers reviewing a slide, our chair Kristina Callis Duffin, and one of our allergists with a patient

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

The DermSRP is intended for University of Utah School of Medicine MS1 students, who receive first consideration for all placements.

Due to limited capacity, applications from non-University of Utah students are rarely accepted but may be reviewed in exceptional circumstances.

Timeline

8 weeks, starting June 22nd in parallel with the University of Utah's MD 6001 -- Research & Innovation: How to be an excellent and communicative researcher.

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 be actively engaged in project 40 hours/week.
Students are expected to participation in a 1-credit research elective during summer semester (MD 6001 -- Research & Innovation: How to be an excellent and communicative researcher).
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

Compensation

Each student will receive a $3,000 stipend, paid for in two installments:

$1,500 will be paid in mid-July.
$1,500 will be paid after receiving the student's abstract.

To be reimbursed for the cost of your poster presentation supplies, please submit receipts and a brief breakdown to kevin.mccormick@hsc.utah.edu.

If your project requires additional research-related expenses, please submit a budget approved by your faculty mentor for departmental review.