Over the past two years, VCU SOM has made significant strides in enhancing opportunities and support for medical student research. Through streamlined processes, expanded funding, and improved communication, we are committed to fostering a vibrant research environment that empowers students to engage in scholarly inquiry. Below are some of the key advances and initiatives aimed at improving the student research experience.
Spring 2025 highlights
To simplify the process of seeking guidance, we appointed an inaugural Director of Medical Student Research. In this new role, Dr. Miller will lead efforts to expand support for medical student research, enhance opportunities for student research projects, and ensure students have access to research skill development. This streamlined approach ensures consistent information and reduces confusion for students navigating research processes.
We’ve significantly expanded the number of fellowship awards available to students, increasing from an average of 50 awards per year between 2021 and 2023 to an average of 70 awards in 2024 and 2025. In addition to expanding the number of opportunities, we also increased fellowship stipends, raising them from $2,500 to $3,000.
Student Research Day continues to grow, with expanded opportunities for students to present their work. In 2024, we saw 105 student presentations — up from 75 in 2023. Looking ahead to 2025, we will host two separate sessions, allowing even more students to share their research with peers and faculty.
Thanks to a generous donation from a dedicated supporter of medical student research, we were able to more than double the available funds for student travel awards. This expanded funding allows more students to attend national and international conferences, present their work, and engage with the broader scientific community.
In response to student feedback, we’ve adjusted how travel funds are distributed to promote more equitable access for students presenting throughout the academic year. Half of the available funds will be allocated to students submitting requests during the Fall semester, with the remaining funds reserved for students submitting requests in the Spring semester. Travel awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis each semester. Students who apply after all funds have been allocated will be placed on a waitlist and notified if additional funding becomes available.
In addition to expanding funding and presentation opportunities, we are planning a series of professional development sessions designed to help students strengthen their research skills. These sessions will cover essential topics such as developing a research question, navigating the IRB, preparing abstracts, and delivering effective poster and oral presentations. Reach out to Dr. Lawson if you have ideas for these sessions.
By providing students with targeted guidance and practical strategies, we aim to support them at every stage of the research process — from project conception to presenting at national conferences. These workshops will be open to all students, regardless of prior research experience, and are a valuable resource for those interested in enhancing their scholarly skills.
Based on student feedback we’ve moved up the timeline for application review and notifications, giving students more time to pursue additional funding opportunities if needed. This change helps students plan their research schedules more effectively.
In 2025, we eliminated the restriction on how many Dean’s Fellowship recipients a single faculty member can mentor. This change allows for greater flexibility, enabling students to collaborate on larger, more complex projects and expanding the pool of available mentors.
We also streamlined the payment process for Dean’s Fellowship awardees, improving workflow efficiency and introducing payment processing through Candex. These changes ensure students receive their stipends more quickly and with fewer administrative hurdles.
Launched in 2023, the student research website serves as a central hub for research-related information and is regularly updated to keep students informed of opportunities, deadlines, and policies.
We are also working toward creating a single, comprehensive policy document for all student human subject research. This document will clarify processes, expectations, and requirements, making it easier for students to navigate the research approval process.
We recognize that timely and clear communication is essential for student success in research. By reducing response times to student queries, following up on student requests more efficiently, and ensuring that departmental points of contact are well-versed in student research needs, we’ve made it easier for students to get the answers they need.
These initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to supporting medical student research and fostering an environment where curiosity and scholarly exploration thrive. We look forward to building on these advances and continuing to enhance the research experience for all of our students.
Research for Medical Students
Our engage in basic science, translational and clinical studies across dozens of specialties and subspecialties within academic medicine, and we encourage students to take advantage of these diverse research opportunities.
