Summer Research Program

Led by then Associate Dean of Research and Professor Dr. Stephanie Wu, Scholl became the first podiatry school to be awarded an NIH T35 training grant. Stephanie Wu became Dean of Scholl College in August 2019. Dr. Noah Rosenblatt currently serves as the Associate Director of Summer Research.

Purpose: This program allows for the training of the next generation of podiatric researchers. This program is only available to first-year students who would like to participate in research during the summer between the first and second years of school. It seeks to increase the number of podiatric medical students entering careers in the biomedical sciences through achieving the following objectives:

1. Provide each podiatric student with individual hands-on experience in scientific research by joining an on-going research mentor/group at RFUMS.
2. Provide an environment for either basic science research or clinical research to cater to the individual interests of the students.
3. Provide podiatric students with an opportunity to maintain involvement over the course of their academic medical career.
4. Provide podiatric students with educational training in data collection, data analysis, grant writing, oral presentations, written reports and computer skills.
5. Provide podiatric students with opportunities to explore career options in medical research and career development through interaction with role models, advisors, and mentors.
6. Identify and foster a cadre of exceptional trainees with the potential to pursue careers in biomedical research.
7. Foster among the trainees a sense of belonging to a community of scientists.
8. Evaluate the success of the program from the suggestions of the faculty mentors and student participants.

Previous participants have presented their work at national and international meetings such as: American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons (ACFAS), American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA), American College of Sports Medicine, North American Congress on Biomechanics, International Society of Biomechanics, Midwest Student Biomedical Research Forum, Symposium on Advanced Wound Care and RFUMS Research Day. After completion of the eight week summer research program, students present their research at the Summer Research Poster Session. Some participants have also published their work in peer reviewed journals.

Participation: Selection is based on several factors, including special skills and needs for a particular project, past student experiences, motivation for student participation, and academic performance during the first year.

Funding: A stipend is provided for each student who participates. All costs related to research are paid by the laboratory hosting the student. In some cases, partially funded or non-funded positions may also be available.