Medical Student Research Program (MSRP) in Eye Health and Disease

To meet the healthcare challenges on which the NEI focuses, it is essential that we nurture and build the
physician-scientist workforce, preparing medical students from all areas of the US to become tomorrow’s
researchers. Over the past three decades the University of Utah School of Medicine (UUSOM), which includes
the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences and the Moran Eye Center, has built a dynamic
research community that addresses the full range of eye-related health issues. Faculty members’ grant-funded
research spans the continuum of T1-T4 translational science and is supported by numerous institutional
programs. A large number of our medical students are interested in eye health, as evidenced by 29% regularly
participating in monthly meetings of the medical student-run Ophthalmology Interest Group. In addition, faculty
members have extensive experience in successfully mentoring trainees, helping to build the physician-scientist,
and scientifically minded physician, workforce. Thus, the UUSOM is an ideal location to offer outstanding short-
term research experiences for medical students. The goal and objectives of the Medical Student Research
Program in Eye Health and Disease (MSRP-EHD) are to: GOAL: Ignite in medical students a life-long interest
in conducting or collaborating in the translational field of vision research, while also building their skills in
creative and critical thinking. Objective 1: Expose 5 medical students/year to EHD-associated research
opportunities spanning the translational research spectrum (T0 to T4). Trainees will participate in a mentored,
10-week summer research experience between their first and second years of medical school and develop
creative and critical thinking skills through an innovative summer course. Objective 2: Engage in the exciting
foundational, clinical. and translational science discoveries taking place at the University of Utah. Sixteen
faculty mentors have agreed to participate in the program. The PI/PD will be advised by an internal Steering
Committee of NEI-funded investigators, SOM Curriculum Committee members, and external T35 program
leaders. Multiple evaluation strategies will be used to provide formative feedback for program improvement as
well as tracking students’ career trajectories.

Grant Number: 5T35EY026511-09
NIH Institute/Center: NIH
Principal Investigator: Alessandra Angelucci