Medical Student Research

Research can be among the most valuable experiences during medical education. Each year, generally during the summer between the first and second years, or during the Advanced Integration level of the curriculum, some students choose to take part in a variety of research opportunities that are offered to medical students locally, nationwide, and around the world. There are many programs available that focus on clinical, translational, behavioral, health services, educational, and/or basic science investigations.

Program durations can vary from a few months to two years and opportunities can be found locally, here at UVM, and at universities across the country and in many different countries. There are programs to suit almost any interest. Different programs have their own requirements and expectations of participants. It helps to get this information sooner rather than later.

Programs that have gained national recognition and/or that the Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at The University of Vermont students have recently participated in include:

Local faculty contacts are available to provide information about current research projects available for medical students at the UVM LCOM. The Director of Medical Student Research can help provide appropriate contacts for specific areas of research interest. For more information visit the Research Areas currently available under the Larner College of Medicine Research website.

Students will also find the Summer Opportunities resource, in the LearningCommons (password required), which includes information regarding the Larner College of Medicine Summer Research Fellowship Program. The Office of Medical Education oversees the summer fellowship support and funding.

The UVM LCOM Funds for Educational and Scholarly Opportunities (FESO) program provides students with funding to engage in research and scholarly experiences. FESO was established to support students who would like to travel to conferences, alternative learning opportunities or similar events. Grants are funded through donations to the Larner College of Medicine. Application submission deadlines are advertised in the WeeklyWire. The program has three application review periods each year.

The Office of Medical Education shares any additional information regarding research opportunities with students over the course of the academic year as they are made available or advertised. Opportunities are posted under the “Research, Fellowship, Awards, & Scholarship” section of the WeeklyWire, our weekly student missive for all non-curriculum-related communications.

Director of Medical Student Research

Renee stapleton headshot

Renee Stapleton, M.D., Ph.D
Director of Medical Student Research, Office of Medical Education
Professor of Medicine, Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Medicine

Sign-up for a drop-in meeting with the Director of Medical Student Research