Preprofessional Opportunities

Vanderbilt University - Medical Scientist Training Program

Details

Category: Summer
Type: Research
Location: Nashville Tennessee
Deadline: Early February
Duration:
Required Grade Level:

Contact

Eligibility

- Preference will be given to members of federally recognized groups underrepresented in science including underrepresented racial and ethnic groups (Blacks or African-Americans, Hispanic or Latino Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians or other Pacific Islanders), individuals with disabilities, or individuals from geographically- and economically-disadvantaged backgrounds. - Applicants must be US Citizens or have US Permanent Resident status. - Applicants must be college undergraduates during the summer of the program year. Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are all encouraged to apply. - Applicants should have a strong desire to pursue MD/PhD dual degree training. This program is not designed for those who wish to pursue the MD or MPH degree. If you are interested in the MD degree, please consider applying to the Undergraduate Clinical Research Internship Program. - Applicants are encouraged to have prior research experience, but it is not a requirement. - Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Description

The Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) – Summer Research Program offers undergraduate students with interests  in pursuing MD/PhD dual degree training an opportunity to conduct summer research in the lab of a physician-scientist at Vanderbilt. In addition to gaining valuable research experience, students will participate in a variety of formal and informal mentoring activities and will gain clinical shadowing experience.

The MSTP Summer Research Program allows for undergraduates to conduct an independent hypothesis-driven research project in the laboratory of a physician-scientist. In addition, participants will gain clinical experience by shadowing their physician-scientist mentor in the clinic. This experience will give first-hand insight into the career of a physician-scientist. All participants in the MSTP Summer Research Program will be assigned MSTP student mentors, attend the weekly MSTP Data Club, attend program specific enrichment sessions, and be invited to participate in all of the VSSA enrichment seminars and social activities. At the completion of the MSTP Summer Research Program, the participants will present their research project at the annual VSSA Research Symposium.

Students can select research projects in the following areas:

  • Cardiology and Cardiovascular Disease
  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Cancer Biology
  • Cell & Developmental Biology
  • Chemical & Physical Biology
  • Human Genetics
  • Molecular Physiology & Biophysics
  • Neurosciences
  • Pathology, Microbiology & Immunology
  • Pharmacology

Dr. Megan Williams will assist participants in the MSTP Summer Research Program to identify and select a physician-scientist preceptor based on the participants’ research and clinical interests.