Medical Student Summer Research Training Program

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The Medical Summer Student Research Program (MSSRP) at the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) leverages the research and training expertise of MCW’s faculty and its substantial research infrastructure to provide robust research training opportunities for first year medical students (M1). The goal of the MSSRP is to expose M1 medical students to research and careers in biomedical science and academic medicine in cardiovascular, pulmonary and blood-related fields at a critical time in their career decision-making process. The goal is accomplished by three objectives, which are (1) to provide trainees with rigorous, hands-on, fundamental research experiences within the basic science, clinical and/or translational research laboratories of funded MCW investigators focused on diseases of heart, lung and blood; (2) To facilitate opportunities for trainees to observe how new discoveries translate into the development of new drugs, devices and treatment modalities in the clinical arena; and (3) To encourage trainees to remain connected to research and mentoring beyond the short-term through opportunities to publish, present and participate as Honors in Research candidates or in advanced research electives and pathways throughout their education curriculum. The MSSRP students are engaged full-time short-term training regimen of 11 weeks in their M1 summer year in basic science, clinical or translational laboratory studies that address diseases and conditions affecting the cardiovascular, pulmonary or hematological health of our citizens and globally. They have an option for additional 4 weeks of training in their M2-M4 years, which could culminate in a manuscript or thesis submission, and thus result in “Honors in Research,” designation on their diplomas. The training is complemented by a series of didactic seminars and other activities that deepen the integration of the trainees into the scientific community. These experiences facilitate opportunities for trainees to observe how new discoveries translate into the development of new drug targets, devices and treatment modalities in the clinical arena, while also encouraging them and providing them with outlets to remain connected to research throughout their medical education program. There is a high demand for training and a qualified applicant pool, with good outcomes evident over the 6-10 years time span that separates the summer training period from the beginning of an independent career. We request continuation of 24 slots in this T35 renewal application. New leadership and advisory committee teams are in place, and all aspects of the MSSRP has been updated to meet its current objectives. Our programs model of exposing medical students early in their training to research opportunities is a unique and novel approach to training the next generation of physician scientists in the workforce.