Office of Medical Student Research

Fern Tsien, Ph.D. is the Assistant Dean for Medical Student Research and the Interim Chair of the Department of Genetics in the School of Medicine.

The Office of Medical Student Research offers research training and resources to medical students. Dr. Tsien guides students to research opportunities and helps facilitate the research component of the curriculum.  This office coordinates the Summer Research Opportunities, the research electives, the Medical Student Honors Program and opportunities for year-long research experiences.  

Research Programs Extramural Funding  Student Accomplishments

Research Programs

Medical Student Summer Internship Program

Dr. Fern Tsien directs a summer internship program.  The program is designed to provide medical students with an experience in clinical and translational research during their summer break.  This program is critical to students who are considering careers in academic medicine, because it allows them to see first-hand what research entails. They are exposed to the excitement, rewards, trials and tribulations of biomedical research.  Approximately 30 medical students spend up to 7 weeks in this program each summer.

Students choose a mentor and research project based on their particular interests and learn to conduct clinical or basic science research. The mentors conduct research in laboratories or clinics at LSUHSC, UMC, Pennington Biomedical Research Institute or Children's Hospital of New Orleans.  In addition, they receive training in the responsible conduct of research, oral and poster presentation skills that prepare them to attend scientific meetings.  All students present their research results at the Medical Student Research Day in the fall.  

Duration
The medical student must make a commitment to work with their mentor for 7 weeks.

Qualifications
Applicants must be registered at LSU School of Medicine and be in good academic standing. Research experience is not required

Application
Summer Research Fellowship application packet must include:

• Cover letter describing your research and career goals
• Completed application form
• Resume describing schools attended, previous job experience, etc

Deadline
January 15th - Candidates can apply online. 

For more information click here.

Questions? Contact the program coordinator at SummerResearch@lsuhsc.edu 

 

Medical Student Honors Research Program

• LSUHSC medical students currently enrolled in their 2nd year (L2s) 
• Past research experience via the Summer Research Internship Program, Research Elective MCLIN198, or equivalent 
• Good academic standing by the LSUHSC School of Medicine

• Conducting part-time research under the supervision of a faculty mentor throughout medical school
• Presenting the research project at the LSUHSC Medical Research Symposium
• Submitting an annual report with research updates and accomplishments
• By the spring pf the 4th year, students are required to have published the results of their project or submit a written thesis of a quality which can be submitted for future publication
• Good academic standing throughout the length of the program

For more information, contact the program director, Dr. Fern Tsien at FMille@lsuhsc.edu or the program coordinator at SoMHonorsProgram@lsuhsc.edu 

 

Combined MD, PhD Program

There is also an MD/PhD training program at LSUHSC. The traditional course for the program is the first two years of medical school followed by 3-5 years in graduate school to complete the Ph.D. Students then return to the 3^rdand 4^th years of medical school to complete the the MD degree.  Students are provided a tuition waiver for the first two years of medical school through the school of medicine. During the graduate school portion of the program, students receive both a tuition waiver and a stipend, through the department in which they complete their dissertation research.  

 

School of Medicine - Medical Student Research Enhancement Program (MSREP)

Research Funding Program for Medical Students

The goal of the Medical Student Research Funding Program is to support our students who are committed to conducting clinical or basic science research as part of their medical education curriculum.  To help achieve this goal, the School of Medicine has instituted a plan for funding medical student research.  The program is open to medical students, and their research program can be continued throughout their time as students.  This competitive program will require the medical student to identify a research mentor, and that the mentee and mentor submit a joint research proposal. 

Updated instructions will be available: November 1, 2025

Requests for applications (RFA) open: December 1, 2025

Grant Deadline: January 31, 2026

 

Extramural Funding Opportunities for Medical Student Research

Upcoming Extramural Research Opportunities for L1s

Summer or year-long research

Student Research Accomplishments