Research Across the Curriculum
Research and scholarship are integrated throughout the medical student experience at the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine. Students have opportunities to build foundational research skills, engage in mentored research, continue their work alongside clinical training, and ultimately translate their experiences into meaningful scholarly products.
Through EVEREST, students can explore research interests, develop relationships with faculty mentors, and pursue projects that align with their individual interests and career goals.
Student Research Journey
At A Glance
Research is designed to grow alongside students throughout medical school. Students begin by building foundational research skills and exploring their interests, then have opportunities to gain hands-on experience, continue developing their work, and ultimately share their scholarship.
Across all four years, students move from exploring research to experiencing, developing, and completing meaningful scholarly work.
Phase 1 – Explore & Build Foundations
Develop an understanding of research and begin identifying where your interests fit
Phase 1 introduces students to the research landscape and provides foundational research education. Through early coursework and learning experiences, students begin exploring different types of research, considering their own interests and goals, and developing the knowledge needed to engage in research opportunities.
Phase 1 focuses on:
- Understanding different types of research and scholarship
- Building foundational research knowledge and skills
- Exploring individual research interests
- Beginning to differentiate potential research pathways
- Preparing to identify projects and faculty mentors
Goal: Build the foundational knowledge needed to make informed decisions about future research experiences.
Summer Immersion – Experience Research
Move from learning about research to actively participating in it
Summer provides an opportunity for students to participate in an immersive research experience aligned with their interests. Students can work closely with faculty mentors, develop research skills through hands-on experience, and begin work that may continue longitudinally throughout medical school.
Summer research may include:
- Participation in a structured research program or individual research experience
- Hands-on laboratory, clinical, community-based, or other research
- Faculty mentorship
- Development of research skills and experience
- Opportunities to begin a project that may continue into Phase 2
- Early presentation or dissemination opportunities
Goal: Provide meaningful research experience that can serve as a foundation for continued scholarship and future research pathways.
Phase 2 – Develop & Continue
Build upon previous research experiences while progressing through clinical training
During Phase 2, students can continue developing their research interests and projects alongside their clinical education. Research may become part of a longitudinal integrated clerkship (LIC) project or another ongoing scholarly experience, allowing students to further differentiate their interests and advance work started earlier in medical school.
Phase 2 focuses on:
- Continuing and advancing existing research projects
- Developing longitudinal research experiences
- Further differentiating research and career interests
- Connecting research with clinical experiences
- Working toward future scholarly products and dissemination
Goal: Support the continued development of meaningful research that can progress toward completion and dissemination in Phase 3.
Phase 3 – Complete & Share Your Scholarship
Bring your research journey to completion and share your work
Phase 3 provides opportunities for students to finalize research and scholarly work through electives, selectives, capstone experiences, and other advanced opportunities. The emphasis shifts toward completing projects and translating research experiences into meaningful scholarly products.
Scholarly outcomes may include:
- Capstone projects
- Manuscript and paper writing
- Poster or oral presentations
- Local and national conference presentations
- Other scholarly products and dissemination
- Completion of longitudinal research projects
Goal: Support students in completing and disseminating their scholarly work while preparing to carry research and inquiry into residency and their future careers.
Where Will Your Research Take You?
Student Centered Research
Every student's research journey will look different. Whether your interests are in basic science, clinical research, community-engaged research, quality improvement, medical education, or another area of scholarship, there are opportunities to build a research experience that aligns with your interests and goals.
The Office of Medical Student Research Education is here to help you navigate opportunities throughout your medical education—from exploring research and finding a mentor to developing a project and sharing your work.