Strengthening your Research
Strengthen your research by getting course credit for doing research, statistical analysis assistance, publication funding assistance, or conference travel funding assistance.
Medical Student Research Elective
Make a research experience part of your medical school curriculum by enrolling in Medical Student Research Electives. The Medical Student Research Electives allow LSOM medical students to gain course credit for doing basic science or clinical research.
Best time to enroll? For most students, the best time to enroll in INTD 4210, 4211, and 4212, respectively, would be at the end of Pre-Clinical Spring CSBS Step 1, Fall of MS3, or Spring of MS4. For the Distinction in Research, enrollment into only one elective is necessary. ELEC 5059 offers enrollment to MS1s & MS2s in the Spring, and only MSIIs for Fall enrollment.
Medical students may begin a research elective at any stage of their research project. There are three sections of the Medical Student Research Elective designed to cover each phase of a research project.
All INTD 4210, 4211, and 4212 Applications are Due Two Weeks Before the Block
See Handbook for New Application Form and Instructions
All INTD applications are due two weeks before the block you are applying to
Step 1. Complete the Application Form
Step 2. Complete the Project Summary Form. This form require input from the research mentor and signatures from the medical student and mentor
Step 3. Enroll in the course through MyStudentCenter and Login to the Course Canvas Page to view Course Requirements
Due at the end of the enrolled block
At the end of the research elective, students must complete a Refection and submit an Hour Log signed by the student’s mentor. To simplify the process for students, the materials are due via email to the course director (valdezc10@uthscsa.edu). All items are due on the last day of the enrolled block.
Hour Log – Students are expected to spend 50-100 hours on research over the course of the 4-week block. Students will log their research activity. The time spent must be related to research and meet the goals and objectives set in the student’s Work and Mentoring Plan. This form must be signed by the student’s mentor.
Reflection – Students are expected to reflect on their research project and work.
ONE45 Surveys– Two surveys are required for the student to complete. The first evaluated the elective and the second evaluates the faculty member (mentor)
Stats 4 Students
Review Project with Your Mentor
Request your mentor’s guidance to determine what statistical tests are needed.
Qualify Your
Request
Share your proposed statistical test and proposed analysis with the Office for Research.
Share Your Plan with Statistical Experts
Present an overview of statistical needs with Stats4Students.
Receive Support and Knowledge Bank
Create a governance framework.
If you are in need of statistical support, the Office for Research can assist you with funding through the Stats 4 Students service. To initiate the request, engage with your research mentor to determine what statistical tests and assistance is needed for the project. Connect with the Office for Research and discuss your project. We will guide you to develop a short 10-15-minute presentation that summarizes your project hypothesis, methodology, expected results, and requested statistical services from Stats4Students. This step is critical, because it provides the Stats4Students team with the scientific background and statistical requirement for your study. The Stats4Students team will access your statistical needs, provide feedback, and together with the Office for Research will develop a plan to assist with your project.
Publication and Travel Funding
Medical Student Publication Fee Assistance
The Office for Research offers limited funding to assist medical students with publication fees. Awards are typically capped at $500 per student and are only available after a manuscript has been officially accepted for publication.
Important: Funding will not be approved for publications in journals flagged as potentially predatory by the Briscoe Library.
Before Applying:
Students must first contact Chris Gaspard at the Briscoe Library to request a review of the journal.
- This step ensures the journal is reputable and not considered predatory.
- Once the review is complete, students will receive an email confirmation from the library.
Application Process:
- Email Chris Gaspard at the Briscoe Library to request journal review.
- Forward the confirmation email from the library to: SOMResearch@uthscsa.edu
After completing the above steps, fill out the application:
LSOM Medical Student Publication Fee Assistance Form
Conference Travel Funding Guidelines for Medical Students
Medical students are encouraged to present their research at academic and professional conferences. To qualify for travel funding, the following eligibility requirements must be met:
The student must be the first author on the presentation or abstract
The student must be an actively enrolled medical student in good academic standing
The student must have documented financial need as verified through the FAFSA
Important: Applications for funding must be submitted only after travel has concluded.
Required Documentation:
When submitting your application, please include:
- Payment confirmation receipts
- Conference acceptance letter
- Copy of your poster or abstract
- Justification for attending the conference, including a detailed description of how it benefits your academic or professional development
- A thank you letter addressed to the donor
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
How to Apply:
Out-of-State Students:
Funding is limited to $500 per student per academic year for out-of-state students. Eligible students should complete the following form:
LSOM Medical Student Conference Attendance Assistance Form
In-State Students:
In-state students should contact Jennifer Bitoni Hernandez in the Office of Undergraduate Medical Education for assistance at bitoni@uthscsa.edu.