Research Opportunities for Medical Students

The Office of Medical Student Research opens the door for future physicians to become researchers as well as healers. Through a range of programs, medical students gain hands-on opportunities to explore scientific discovery, sharpen critical thinking, and contribute to advances in medicine.

While students can pursue research in any area of medicine, many are drawn to cancer research where the need for new insights and innovative treatments is especially urgent. Working alongside faculty mentors, students learn how to design studies, analyze data, and present their findings, laying the foundation for careers that blend patient care with scientific impact.

Our offerings include the LSU Health New Orleans Medical Student Summer Internship Program, the Medical Student Honors Research Program, the Medical Student Research Enhancement Program, and the Combined MD/PhD Program. Together, these pathways build a pipeline of physician-scientists prepared to drive the future of discovery and care.

LSU Health New Orleans Medical Student Summer Internship Program

The Medical Student Summer Internship is a 7-week program that immerses students in clinical and translational research at LSU Health New Orleans. Designed to fit into the summer break, the program pairs each student with a faculty mentor to develop and carry out a research project aligned with their interests.

In addition to hands-on research, students receive training in the responsible conduct of research, sharpen their communication skills, and learn how to design and deliver professional poster presentations. The program culminates with each student presenting their findings at the annual Medical Student Research Day in the fall.

For those who wish to take their experience further, the Honors Program provides a pathway to continue research throughout medical school. Honors students deepen their projects, publish manuscripts, and graduate with “Honors in Research” noted on their transcript, preparing them for careers as physician-scientists at the forefront of discovery.

Eligibility

Medical students must:

• Be in good academic standing.
• Have no professionalism violations.
• Be available during all dates of the program.

LSU Health New Orleans students are highly encouraged to apply.

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Medical Student Honors Research Program

Students who have performed well academically during the first year of medical school and are interested in continuing their summer research are invited to apply to the Honors Program during their second year. Research is performed part-time throughout the next three years of medical school. In the spring of their fourth year, students are required to have a published manuscript or submit a thesis. Upon completion, students will graduate with “Honors in Research.”

Eligibility

Medical students must:

• Be currently enrolled in their 2nd year (L2s) at LSU Health New Orleans School of Medicine and be in good academic standing.
• Have had past research experience via the Summer Research Internship Program, Research Elective MCLIN198, or equivalent.

Combined MD/PhD Program

The combined MD/PhD program confers degrees from both the School of Medicine and Graduate Studies. During their course of study, students will pursue the medical curriculum for two years, spend three to four years as graduate students acquiring their PhD, and spend two years completing medical school for the MD degree.

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