Medical Student Summer Research Program (MSRP)

The primary goal of the Medical Student Summer Research Program is to provide a hands-on, mentored research experience in surgery for medical students.

The Department of Surgery offers an annual 6-week summer research internship opportunity. The University of Colorado School of Medicine has recently approved this course as a 12-credit elective.

Each student will be paired with a scientist in the Department of Surgery (MD or PhD) to independently conduct a study and prepare a first-author abstract for submission to a national surgical meeting. Students will participate in a structured curriculum to learn how to ask scientific questions, plan projects, and produce abstracts, oral presentations, and manuscripts. Students will also be invited to participate in Grand Rounds and multidisciplinary clinics, and will have the opportunity to observe in the operating room and surgical clinics.

Lectures are available remotely, but students are encouraged to meet with their research teams in person and observe in clinical settings.

The MSRP is open to:

  • CU SOM students currently in good academic standing.
  • Preference will be given to 1st-year (rising 2nd-year) medical students without current clinical obligations.

What to know about the MSRP:

  • Program duration is approximately 6 weeks from July 24 – September 1, 2023.
  • Participants must commit to completing program requirements, including attending orientation and weekly lectures and conferences, outlining a project plan, and writing a scientific abstract. Students will be asked to present an oral or poster presentation at the Medical Student Research Symposium the following winter. Prizes will be awarded for top-scoring presentations.
  • A list of mentors, projects, and the application will be sent by February 3, 2023.
  • Please complete the Application no later than 11:59PM (MST) on February 17, 2023. Please direct any questions to the Medical Student Program Coordinator via e-mail at eirin.cox@cuanschutz.edu.

We look forward to reviewing your applications for the 2023 program!