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Research Opportunities for Students

Introduction

Petri dish under microscopeSUNY Downstate Medical Center encourages its medical students to participate in research. Research opportunities are available throughout the four years of medical school. Students may begin doing research in their first year. There are a large number of research choices. These include research in both the basic science and clinical disciplines. A list of faculty research mentors and their areas of interest are on the institutional website, and include both basic science and clinical disciplines. (Select Research from the left hand side of the home page). We were very proud that research from SUNY Downstate (“Storage of Spatial Information by the Maintenance Mechanism of LTP”) was named among the top 10 Breakthroughs of the Year 2006 in the December 22, 2006 issue of Science.

Many students work on research projects during the summer between the first and second years of medical school. The Alumni Office sponsors and funds "Medical Student Summer Research Fellowships" each summer. In the last few years we've had approximately 20 students receive the fellowship each year. Some of the SUNY Downstate departments participating in this program include Biochemistry, Physiology/Pharmacology, Anatomy, Emergency Medicine, and Urology to name a few. Students who have received the summer fellowship have also done research outside of the institution at Columbia Presbyterian, Cornell, NYU, Mount Sinai, Hospital for special Surgery, University of Minnesota, and others. It is a popular program with about 40 students applying each year.

Students who wish to pursue research on a full time basis for a year through the NIH or sponsored by an SUNY Downstate Alumni Association Research Fellowship are supported and encouraged to do so. For the past two years the Alumni Association has sponsored one student to do a full year of research between third and fourth year.

Many students may participate in research during the clinical years for elective credit. Approximately 50 students each year participate primarily in clinical research at SUNY Downstate, although there are some who participate in basic science research as well. There are also about 20 students each year who participate in research for credit at other institutions. The SUNY Downstate departments/divisions who participate most in clinical research electives are Dermatology, Surgery, Endocrinology, Orthopedics and Psychiatry.

In addition, the Clinical Neurosciences Pathway provides students interested in the clinical neurosciences (e.g., Neurology, Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, Neuropathology, Neuroradiology, Psychiatry, Neurorehabilitation, Neuroanesthesia) with access to a number of stimulating clinical and research activities. Pathway students are eligible for special summer research and year-out opportunities for clinical and basic neuroscience study.

Medical students who have made a significant research contribution are eligible to graduate with a Distinction in Research award.  Approximately 15 students per year receive this impressive graduation award. There is also the Commendation in Investigative Scholarship award for students who have participated in a basic science or clinical project for a limited period of time. In addition, departmental research awards bestowed on Awards Day for the graduating senior class.

The College of Medicine in conjunction with the School of Graduate Studies sponsors an annual Research Day where students are given the opportunity to present their research to the Downstate community.

The History of Research at SUNY Downstate

To learn more about research at SUNY Downstate, click here