Biomedical Research Scholarly Concentration

The overall goal of the Scholarly Concentration in Biomedical Research is to engage students in the critical concepts that underpin biomedical and clinical research. Through didactic instruction and faculty-mentored clinical research projects, students will acquire tools essential to undertake biomedical research, including critical reasoning skills, utilizing the scientific method in research study design, research rigor and reproducibility, research ethics, and disseminating research results for peer review. Students will also be introduced to various resources offered through the Indiana CTSI to assist with biomedical research, including human subjects training, the Clinical Research Center, and the Project Development Team. Students are required to apply and participate in Indiana University Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS) during the summer between their first and second year of medical school.

Locations

All coursework and scholarly work (except the online Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship and the Clinical Research Methods course) takes place at the Indianapolis campus. Prior to acceptance, non-Indianapolis based applicants must sign an agreement form stating that they will attend the required Immersion in Clinical and Patient-Oriented Research in-person sessions in Indianapolis.

Curriculum and Timeline

The majority of activities, including participation in IMPRS, will occur between the first and second years of medical school and serve as a launching pad for the Scholarly Concentration in Biomedical Research. For more information on IMPRS, please contact Anne Nguyen, IMPRS program director. Students will attend a series of discussions to help them become successful in the field of biomedical research. Topics include the scientific method, study design, biostatistics, and research ethics. Students will complete training in the responsible conduct of research and work on a scholarly project at the Indianapolis campus as part of the longitudinal experience.

Topic-Specific Courses

Immersion in Clinical and Patient-Oriented Research

Clinical Research Methods

Research Topics in Medicine

Core Curriculum

Fundamentals of Research and Scholarship

Scholarly Concentration Project

Scholarly Concentration Product

Recommended Pathway

This table shows that the first three topic specific courses, should be completed during the summer between first and second year of med school. The fourth topic specific course should be taken during phase one in the second year of med school. The two remaining courses, project and product, are longitudinal. The project can begin as soon as the summer between first and second year of med school and conclude on or before the end of fourth year. The product should begin during phase three and conclude on or before the end of fourth year.

Students determine if a concentration pathway will fit in their schedule by contacting concentration co-directors.

Scholarly Project Topic Examples

Students work with faculty to complete a project in a relevant topic based on student interests. Students are welcome to come up with their own project idea. Potential project topics include, but are not limited to:

Biomedical research in diabetes
Skeletal and muscular complications of malignancy and the effect of cancer treatment on musculoskeletal health
Biomedical research in xenotransplanation
3D bioprinting, tissue engineering
Effectiveness of radiotherapy for cancer patients
Medical informatics in GI; Big Data, Algorithms, ad Health Care: How Health Data Science can improve the health of populations

Co-Directors

Students should reach out to co-directors with any questions about this concentration.

Erika R. Cheng, PhD, MPA

Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Bio and Contact Information

Lisa G. Yazel, EdD, MCHES, CCRP

Assistant Research Professor of Pediatrics

Bio and Contact Information