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MedSTAR

MedSTAR provides mentored clinical and translational research opportunities for medical students. This program is a collaboration between IU School of Medicine and the Indiana CTSI that seeks to strengthen and increase the cohort of physician-scientists in the workforce. The one-year fellowship allows IU School of Medicine medical students to be immersed in research support for one year of full-time mentored training. The fellowship plans to accept up to four students each year from IU School of Medicine who are enrolled and in good standing, and who have a proven interest in and commitment to biomedical research as evidenced by previous laboratory, translational, or clinical research experience such as the IMPRS Summer Program. The year-long program begins in May and ends the following April 30.

Goals

  • The goal of the IUSM/CTSI MedSTAR is to provide a supported mechanism for clinical and translational research opportunities available to medical students in order to strengthen and increase the cohort of physician-scientists in the workforce. 
  • The one-year fellowship will allow IUSM medical students to be immersed in research support for one year of full-time mentored training.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be medical students enrolled and in good standing at IUSM.  Students may apply during any year of their medical school curriculum, but it is recommended that student apply during P1Y2.  All medical students, regardless of their year of training must apply for and being approved for a research or graduate leave of absence to be eligible for the program. Students must be committed to conduct 12 months of continuous, full-time research.  Students who are currently enrolled in a combined degree program such as MD/PhD, MD/MBA, etc. will not be eligible. 
  • Previous research experience (e.g., a summer or part-time experience, such as IMPRS) is required.  All applicants should have some form of research experience beyond classroom/laboratory courses.

Research Area

  • Basic Science (research conducted to understand the physical, chemical, and functional mechanisms)
  • Translational Research (process of applying discoveries from basic science to the prevention, management, and treatment of diseases)
  • Applied (research toward specific objectives, i.e. drug discovery, therapy, etc.)
  • Clinical Research (research conducted to study the health and illness in people to learn how to prevent, diagnose, manage and treat)

Training Duration and Term

  • 12 consecutive months
    • P1Y2 students: 04/01 – 03/31 (doing MedSTAR between 2nd and 3rd year)
    • Phase 2 students: 05/01 – 04/30 (doing MedSTAR between 3rd and 4th year)
    • Phase 3 students: 05/01 – 04/30 (doing MedSTAR after 4th year)
  • The MedSTAR scholar is to be engaged in research full-time
  • Students will take graduate school coursework – and will not take medical school coursework or a clerkship during this one-year term.
  • Students applying during P1Y2 would still be required to take Step 1 by the school’s deadline.  Any student who DOES NOT pass Step 1 would be released from the MedSTAR program.
  • Students applying during Phase 2 would be encouraged to take Step 2 CK and CS before starting MedSTAR.

Stipend and Allowances

  • Stipend $31,500
  • Student health insurance (coverage does not include dependents)
  • Tuition remission up to $5,000 (does not include university fees, books, or related purchases)
  • Travel allowance up to $500 for student to present research at a regional/national scientific meeting
  • One time publishing fee up to $500 for student to publish in a peer-reviewed journal.

Application Process

Application will be completed online using the RedCap system. The link for the online form can be found here.

Additional information about the program can be found in the guidelines here. For questions, please contact: imprs@iupui.edu. Include the name “MedSTAR” in the subject line.

MedSTAR Scholars

2018-2019

  1. Jae Kwon: He spent his MedSTAR year pursuing lab research in neuroscience. Jae presented a poster and oral presentation at IU Cancer Day and was first author and co-author on several manuscripts. He completed the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research.
  2. Brooks Platt: He spent his MedSTAR year pursuing lab research in hematology and orthopedics. Brooks chose to focus on his research while taking core courses in the study of Clinical Research. Brooks participated in a 3-month research rotation at Columbia, Missouri and completed a first-authored manuscript. He was accepted as a presenter at the 2019 Indiana CTSI meeting.
  3. Ethan Steele: He spent his MedSTAR year pursuing clinical research in radiation oncology. Ethan was accepted for 3 presentations at the annual ASTRO meeting and submitted multiple first-authored manuscripts for publication. He has completed the MS in Clinical Research in December 2019. Ethan was accepted as a presenter at the 2019 Indiana CTSI meeting. 
  4. Ani Yalamanchali: He spent his MedSTAR year pursuing clinical research in radiation oncology. Ani was accepted for 2 presentations at the annual ASTRO meeting and submitted multiple first-authored manuscripts for publication. He has completed the MS in Clinical Research in December 2019.

2019-2020

  1. Hassan Farooq is a 4th year medical student who is pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research with a focus on orthopedic surgical outcomes. He has completed a large retrospective study with his mentor, R. Michael Meneghini, MD, and is working on other projects at this time.
  2. Christina Huang is a 4th year medical student who is working toward the MS in Clinical Research degree with a focus on radiology oncology. Christina’s primary mentor is Marc Mendonca, PhD. In addition to her studies, Christina is preparing manuscripts for publication and abstracts for presentation at a scientific meeting.
  3. Nimisha Kumar is a 4th  year medical student who is pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research with a focus on OB/GYN. Working with her mentor, David M. Haas, MD, Nimisha will divide her research efforts between Cochrane Database set up and reviews and diabetes projects.
  4. Daniel Romano is a 4th year medical student who is pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research. Working with his primary mentor, Eri Hashino, PhD, Daniel has the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art stem cell technology within his focus on sensorineuronal hearing loss.

2020-2021

  1. Emily Iannopollo just completed her 2nd year of medical school at our Evansville campus. Emily will pursue the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research. A graduate of our IMPRS program, she will be mentored by Kara Garcia, PhD. Her research focus will be coding imaging results in Alzheimer’s Disease.
  2. Brandon Jacobs just completed his 3rd year of medical school at our Northwest Campus. He will be working toward the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research. Brandon has no previous research experience but is eager immerse himself in the study and practice of ophthalmology research under the mentorship of Timothy Corson, PhD. He will focus on the process of inhibiting a novel target for wet macular degeneration therapy.
  3. Luke McVeigh just completed his 2nd year of medical school here in Indianapolis. An IMPRS graduate, Luke will be pursuing the MS in Clinical Research degree with a particular interest in neurosurgery. Under the mentorship of Andrew Jea, MD Luke will focus on outcomes in children with tethered cord syndrome undergoing new procedure (spinal cord shortening).
  4. Leo Song just completed his 3rd year of medical school here in Indianapolis. An IMPRS graduate, Leo will be pursuing the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research with a focus on urology. Under the mentorship of Charles Powell, MD Leo will be utilizing lab research and porcine models in the study of bladder dysfunction in diabetes.