With more than $200 million in external grant funding, VCU School of Medicine is a bustling hub of scientific and medical innovation. Our faculty engage in basic science, translational and clinical studies across dozens of specialties and subspecialties within academic medicine, and we encourage medical students to take advantage of these diverse research opportunities.
Faculty Mentors
Identifying and connecting with a faculty member to serve as a research mentor can be a daunting task, so we’re here to help. More than 300 School of Medicine faculty are willing and able to involve medical students in their research, and our searchable database will help you find the right fit.
A few pointers to help you get started:
- Determine what you want to get out of the experience (e.g., enhance chances of matching into a particular specialty, improve skills as a researcher)
- Be specific when contacting a potential mentor, and request an appointment
- Explore researchers’ publications to learn about their work
- Don't be afraid to contact multiple faculty members
Funded Research Programs
The Dean’s Summer Research Fellowship is for students to conduct funded research for eight weeks during the summer between M1 and M2. Students may do research under the supervision of any School of Medicine faculty member, and those selected for the program receive a stipend of $3,000. Existing projects are eligible for funding, though students must work full-time during the summer to conduct new experiments or analyze data
How to apply
- Identify a faculty mentor to supervise the project
- Complete and submit the application between January and February
- The applicant’s mentor must submit an NIH-style biosketch and a letter agreeing to supervise the research and be present for at least six weeks of the research period
Student obligations
- Devote full time to the research project during the eight-week period
- Promptly notify the Office of Research if problems arise before or during the project
- Submit a poster for presentation at Medical Student Research Day, which occurs in April or May the following year
- Any publication resulting from this research should acknowledge support by VCU School of medicine
Key dates
- Student notification: Jan. 12, 2024
- Application submission deadline: Feb. 28, 2024, 5pm
- Decision notification: March 31, 2024
FAQ_Dean's Summer Research Fellowship
Solicitation_Summer Research Fellowship
For more information, please contact
Zakir Ullah, Ph.D.
Director of Scientific Review
Office of Research
zakir.ullah@vcuhealth.org
With a rich history of providing students the opportunity to explore the world of neonatology and other pediatric subspecialties through research, this program has been funded by the Jack Cary Eichenbaum Fund since 2004.
The program encourages all students to apply, with preference to rising third- and fourth-year premedical students and rising second-year medical students.
This summer program is designed to expose first-year medical students to hypothesis-driven cancer research. Students receive a stipend of $4,000 for summer living expenses, plus $1,000 to attend a national scientific conference.
This 10-month research immersion program is for M2s, M3s and M4s who are interested in pursuing basic, clinical, translational or epidemiological research. The curriculum includes lectures, clinical teaching rounds, journal clubs, clinical protocol training and networking sessions.
Students selected for this highly competitive national program receive an annual stipend, furnished housing, a relocation allowance and funding support for travel, scientific courses and textbooks.
Application deadline for 2024-2025 cycle is January 5, 2024
Students in this program spend a summer working at the NIH alongside some of the leading biomedical scientists in the U.S. Fields of study include everything from biology to behavioral sciences to biostatistics.
This six-week program provides immersive, community-based clinical trial research experience for medical students who are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in medical research. Awardees receive a $7,500 stipend for the externship.
Research Student Interest Group
One of many interest groups at the School of Medicine, this student-run organization provides community, camaraderie and support for medical students who want to get involved in research.
Contacts by Department
For guidance on finding research opportunities in a particular specialty, please reach out to the point of contact for your chosen department.
- Pamela Knapp, Ph.D.
Chair
pamela.knapp@vcuhealth.org
- Sarah Spiegel, Ph.D.
Chair
sarah.spiegel@vcuhealth.org
- Brian Wattenberg, Ph.D.
Professor
brian.wattenberg@vcuhealth.org
- Zheng Fu, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
zheng.fu@vcuhealth.org
- Kimberly Jefferson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
kimberly.jefferson@vcuhealth.org
- Pin-Lan Li, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Vice Chair
pin-lan.li@vcuhealth.org
- John Grider, Ph.D.
Interim Chair
john.grider@vcuhealth.org
For guidance on finding research opportunities in a particular specialty, please reach out to the point of contact for your chosen department.
- Alice Coombs, M.D.
Chair
alice.coombs@vcuhealth.org
- Kimberly Salkey, M.D.
Associate Professor, Residency Program Director
kimberly.salkey@vcuhealth.org
- Lisa Merck, M.D., M.P.H, FACEP
Professor
lisa.merck@vcuhealth.org
- Alex Krist, M.D., M.P.H.
Professor
alexander.krist@vcuhealth.org
- Fadi Salloum, Ph.D., FAHA
Associate Chair for Research
fadi.salloum@vcuhealth.org
- Richard Sterling, M.D., M.Sc., FACP, FACG, AGAF, FAASLD
Assistant Chair of Research
richard.sterling@vcuhealth.org
- Nicholas Johnson, M.D., M.Sci., FAAN
Vice Chair of Research
nicholas.johnson@vcuhealth.org
- William Broaddus, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor
william.broaddus@vcuhealth.org
- Linda Burkett, M.D.
Assistant Professor
linda.burkett@vcuhealth.org
- Christopher Leffler, M.D.
Assistant Professor
christopher.leffler@vcuhealth.org
- Gregory Golladay, M.D.
Professor
gregory.galloday@vcuhealth.org
- Daniel Coelho, M.D., FACS
Professor
daniel.coelho@vcuhealth.org
- Lorin Bachmann, Ph.D., DABCC
Professor
lorin.bachmann@vcuhealth.org
- Henry Rozycki, M.D.
Vice Chair of Research
henry.rozycki1@vcuhealth.org
- Ronald Seel, Ph.D., FACRM
Professor
ronald.seel@vcuhealth.org
- Robert Findling, M.D., M.B.A.
Chair
robert.findling@vcuhealth.org
- Jo Lombardi
Program Coordinator
juana.lombardi@vcuhealth.org
- Peter Haar, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
peter.haar@vcuhealth.org
- David Turner
Associate Professor
david.turner1@vcuhealth.org
- Amanda Jabri, M.B.A.
Research Manager
amanda.adair@vcuhealth.org
Other Resources
Students may need specific training or access to facilities and records before initiating a new research project. Researchers at VCU have access to a wealth of resources, and we encourage students to explore them with the support of a faculty mentor.