Medical Student Paid Research Years

The University of Colorado offers two paid, one-year, mentored research positions annually to qualified medical students interested in pursuing a urology residency.

Click the links below to browse our two opportunities.

About Our Programs

Medical Student Research Fellowships are open to medical students who have completed at least two years of medical school and can dedicate a year to research (as part of their medical school program between MS3 and MS4 or after MS4 if not immediately entering residency). Applicants are considered on a rolling basis. Priority is given to CU medical students and candidates interested in urology who have had personal experience overcoming hardship or have an interest in working with patients who have traditionally experienced barriers to accessing care. 

The research fellowships include opportunities at both University of Colorado Hospital and Children’s Hospital Colorado where fellows participate in innovative research projects throughout the year. By participating in and leading innovative research studies and attending urology residency teaching rounds, student fellows learn the fundamentals of urology and what it takes to be a physician-scientist.

Past fellows have achieved presentations at national and regional meetings, first-author publications in top journals, and matched into their desired residency positions.

Fellows build strong relationships while working directly with and receiving mentorship from the world-renowned faculty at one of the most robust urology programs in the nation. Research fellow responsibilities include IRB application preparation and submission, management of clinical studies, abstract and manuscript production, and presentations at urology conferences.

Our medical student research fellowship program is committed to recruiting and supporting students, faculty, and administrative staff from all backgrounds. We aspire to build a team that thrives on building community and bringing together people with different lived experiences and perspectives; strives to eliminate differences in access to health care and health outcomes through measurable commitments and strategic, systemic, and sustainable accountability systems; and demonstrates trust through practices and policies that ensure that everyone feels valued and respected.

Scholar's Year

If you are a CU student, you have the option to take a Scholar's Year, meaning that you will not be required to to take a year off from your medical education in order to complete one of our Research Fellowships. Instead, you will substitute one year of regular curriculum by participating in the fellowship. See more information on taking a Scholar's Year.

Current and Past Fellows

Vincent Hou (2025-2026)

Reconstructive Urology Medical Scholar Research Fellow
Doctor of Medicine Program, graduating class of 2026
University of Colorado School of Medicine

Mustafa Saeed (2025-2026)

Pediatric and Adult Congenital Urology Medical Student Research Fellow
Doctor of Medicine Program, graduating class of 2026
University of Colorado School of Medicine

Sasha Vereecken (2024-2025)

Reconstructive Urology Medical Scholar Research Fellow
Doctor of Medicine Program, graduating class of 2025
Saint James School of Medicine

Sasha graduated from Lakehead University in Ontario, Canada with a degree in Nursing. Following her undergraduate studies, she gained her Associate's degree in Wilderness Medicine at the University of Utah School of Medicine with a focus in Diving Medicine. She is a dedicated future physician-researcher, committed to advancing health equity and fostering holistic patient care by integrating expertise in urology, medical humanities, and the arts. Sasha is driven by a profound passion for pioneering innovative.

Logan Wesemann (2024-2025)

Pediatric and Adult Congenital Urology Medical Student Research Fellow
Doctor of Osteopathy Program, graduating class of 2026
Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Utah Campus

Logan Wesemann graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science degree and currently attends Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine - Utah Campus. Logan's interest in urology stems from personal experiences both as a patient and as a student provider and is specifically interested in pediatric urology and male sexual health. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies with his wife, practicing the piano, and playing The Legend of Zelda. 

Rebeca Gonzalez Jauregui (2023-2024)

Medical Student Research Fellow
Doctor of Medicine Program, graduating class of 2025
University of Colorado School of Medicine

Post Fellowship:
2025-2030 Urology Surgery Residency
University of South Florida Urology Residency Program

Rebeca Gonzalez Jauregui is the 2023-2024 Pediatric and Reconstructive Urology Medical Student Research Fellow. She graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science Degree and currently attends the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Rebeca is passionate about health care inequities research, and enthusiastic about applying her knowledge to identify barriers to care and improve accessibility of urologic services to marginalized communities. Rebeca is originally from Cuba, and in her free time, she loves to read, paint, and explore new coffee shops.

Lily Kong (2022 – 2023)

Medical Student Research Fellow
Doctor of Medicine Program, graduating class of 2024
University of Colorado School of Medicine 

Post Fellowship:
2024-2029 Urology Surgery Residency
Hofstra Northwell Urology Program: New Hyde Park
New Hyde Park, NY

Lily Kong was the 2022-2024 Pediatric and Reconstructive Urology Medical Student Research Fellow. She graduated from Wesleyan University in 2016 with a BA in English and took a few years off to work before moving to Colorado to start medical school at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. After participating in the Denver Health Longitudinal Integrated Clerkship this past year, she discovered a love for the OR and a passion for urology. She is specifically interested in gender-affirming care, public health, sexual health/education, working with underserved populations, and medical education/mentorship. Outside of medicine, she enjoys rock climbing, hiking, cooking/baking, making art, and playing The Sims. She is excited to spend the upcoming year immersed in the field of urology and learn skills that will help her become a better physician and researcher.

"The medical student research fellowship allowed me invaluable opportunities to gain experience in the field of urology, become intimately familiar with the research process from conception to research product, and create lasting relationships with supportive faculty mentors. Having not had extensive research experience prior to the fellowship, I felt that the structure of the fellowship was incredibly conducive to learning, providing me with adequate guidance and support while also allowing me to develop my own skills as a researcher. During the research year, I was able to present several projects, including at a national conferences, and publish multiple manuscripts. I learned a variety of skills that I have been able to implement even now that my research year is over, including video editing, REDCap project building and development, writing manuscripts, and IRB submission. I would highly recommend this fellowship to anybody who is interested in urology and wants more experience in the field!”

Derek Wengryn, MD (2021 – 2022)

Medical Student Research Fellow
Doctor of Medicine Program, graduating class of 2023
University of Colorado School of Medicine 

Post Fellowship:
2023-2026 Internal Medicine Residency Program
Washing State University
Elson S. Floyd Collee of Medicine

Derek Wengryn was the 2021–2022 Pediatric and Reconstructive Urology Medical Student Research Fellow. Derek graduated from the University of Colorado Denver with a BS in Biology in 2018 and is currently in the MD program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. After completing his surgery rotation during his third year of medical school, he discovered a passion for urology. He applied to the research fellowship program to gain more experience and develop his skills as a physician-scientist.

"The urology medical student research fellowship was truly an exceptional experience. The fellowship allowed me to work closely with the Pediatric Urology Research Enterprise (PURE) and mentors in the genitourinary reconstructive fellowship program. This presents a unique opportunity to connect with a network of providers, researchers, and professionals in both pediatric and adult reconstructive urology. Team members met with me weekly to share their expertise, facilitate research projects, and offer support with my career aspirations beyond the fellowship. Through the structure and guidance I was offered, I became involved in various research and quality improvement projects and experienced all aspects of the research process, from study design to IRB approval to publication. In just one year, I was able to produce seven research conference presentations, and the fellowship supported my attendance at each. Having such a tremendous support network was foundational to the success and professional development I achieved this past year. I would encourage any medical student interested in a more profound exploration of the field of urology to consider applying!”

Eniola Ogundipe, MD (2020 – 2021)

Medical Student Research Fellow
2022 Doctor of Medicine
University of Colorado School of Medicine 

Post Fellowship:
2022-2023 General Surgery Preliminary Year
David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles
2023-2028 Urologic Surgery Residency
University of Louisville Urology Residency Program

“I feel fortunate to have been a part of PURE as a medical student, and I highly recommend it. The support that PURE provides is truly unparalleled. I have been working in research as a student for the last ten years and have never worked with a more responsive, patient, productive, and dedicated group of individuals. Research PIs are busy, but PURE has a structured team that allows consistent and reliable communication. It made all the difference in my productivity and growth the last year — I have never been so productive! I am grateful to have been a part of such a nurturing and organized research program.”

Alan Quach, MD (2019– 2020)

2021 Doctor of Medicine
University of Colorado School of Medicine 

Post Fellowship:
Clinical Research Scholarship Winner
2021–2025 Urologic Surgery Residency
University of Nebraska Medical Center

“As the inaugural medical student urology research fellow for the University of Colorado, I felt that the structure, workload, and research experience exceeded my expectations. My fellowship began around the same time that the Pediatric Urology Research Enterprise (PURE) was established. Having PURE as support benefited my productivity instead of working one-on-one with an attending because it also allowed me to ask questions specific to my projects and gain support from everyone involved in the study. The team is very knowledgeable about the processes involved in conducting a study. My fellowship culminated in six meeting presentations — including two at the AUA — and one published study. I felt like I was involved in all stages of the research process (including being the PI of my project) and gained valuable insight into academia in urology. The research fellowship played a pivotal role in my success during the urology match, especially during a competitive year that included the cancellation of Sub-Is and virtual interviews. I matched at the University of Nebraska, and upon graduation, I received the Harken’s Clinical Research Scholarship.”