Medical students get the opportunity to work in a wide range of medical research labs on the West Lafayette campus throughout the academic year.

Medical Research

IU School of Medicine—West Lafayette is located on the campus of Purdue University, which shares Indiana University’s commitment to expanding and diversifying Indiana’s medical research enterprise. To achieve this goal, Purdue facilitates and supports collaboration across disciplines and with other universities to solve challenges facing Indiana, the nation and the world. Students at IU School of Medicine—West Lafayette have opportunities to work with basic science and clinical faculty in their labs throughout the academic year.

Research Facilities in West Lafayette

Purdue hosts over 120 university-approved research centers and institutes, each developed to fill a particular need. Several large-scale interdisciplinary research centers are located in Purdue’s Discovery Park. Specialized instrumentation, equipment and facilities make up Purdue University’s research cores and are available for use by faculty and partner researchers. Research service cores in West Lafayette offer assistance to users with equipment, analysis and interpretation of data.

Student Research Programs

IU School of Medicine students at the West Lafayette campus can enrich their studies and training by participating in a variety of research opportunities on campus and throughout the community. Several students each summer choose to participate in paid research opportunities with award-winning Purdue researchers in areas such as drug discovery, cancer research and biomedical engineering. Summer Research Scholarships are awarded to IU School of Medicine students during the summer between the first and second year of study. Students can apply to receive $4000 of financial support for conducting either bench or clinical research. Medical students in West Lafayette can also participate in IU School of Medicine student research programs at other campuses.

Medical Scientist Training Program

Through a partnership with Purdue University, medical students at this campus can pursue a MD/PhD as part of the Medical Scientist Training Program in West Lafayette. While attending IU School of Medicine-West Lafayette, students can adjust the traditional course of the MD program to earn the second degree alongside the MD. Admission in the dual degree program requires admission to both schools.

Medical Research News

IU School of Medicine is conducting advanced medical research at its campuses throughout Indiana. To stay current on this work, explore the school’s newsroom and research blog. To hear faculty researchers describe their work in person, attend seminars and poster sessions as well as the annual meeting of the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, featuring presentations and poster sessions from scientists across the state. Find seminars, scientific presentations and other live events on the IU School of Medicine calendar.

Apply to the MD/PhD Program

Learn more about the MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program in West Lafayette and other MD Dual Degree Programs available to IU School of Medicine students.

MSTP Program

Research News

Get up-to-date information on the medical research work at the IU School of Medicine newsroom and research blog, where investigators throughout the school’s academic departments post updates about their work.

Blogs Hub