Distinction in Medical Research Program

two TTUHSC medical students standing in a laboratory holding a book pointing and smiling

Distinction in Medical Research Program

Application Deadline | October 1 of MS2

What is the Distinction in Medical Research Program?

The Distinction in Medical Research (DMR) program is designed to provide medical students a structured medical research experience in which they not only plan, conduct, and present a cutting-edge medical research project, but also receive instruction in research method development, research management, and other critical skills. This structured experience will empower the student to become engaged in research during medical residency and as they continue on in their medical practice. Additional resources to enhance the student's research experience can be found on the Medical Student Research Resources Page.

Skills You Will Gain:

Construct hypothesis driven research
Prepare research design for basic science research
Prepare study protocols for clinical studies
Draft research proposals, abstracts, and manuscripts
Know regulations required to conduct research

Information For Applicants

Who Should Apply?

This program is ideal for individuals seeking to build these skills as part of their education, as well as students who require flexible scheduling options.

Apply using this form and email to Jordan Beal.

Requirements for application:

Complete MSSRP program or have equivalent prior research experience (must be approved by program director).
Medical student transcripts from MS1 Fall and MS1 Spring
Letter of support from faculty mentor
Application Form approved by faculty mentor. Reviewed by committee panel for acceptance.

Program Overview:

Estimated completion time: 3-4 years
Lectures (virtual)
Opportunity to increase skills and knowledge in clinical research
No thesis requirements
Plans of research study are created on a case-by-case basis and customized for each student
Expert faculty tapped for lecturing and mentoring
Resourceful research environment
Interactive peer group discussion
Practice composing study protocols and grant proposals for medical research
Apply basic, clinical, community health, and health service research concepts to improve patient outcomes
No charge to TTUHSC SOM students

The DMR is comprised of TWO PARTS (I and II)

If you completed the MSSRP and its associated 8 hours of lectures, you will not have to repeat them in the DMR.

PART I covers two online courses, COURSE 1: “Research Methods” and COURSE 2: “Proposal Development and Research Management.” Each course includes 30-60 min session (8 hours for each COURSE and a total of 16 hours for DMR).

You will use eRaider account to login to Sakai for DMR lectures and submission requirements.

COURSE 1 (Research Methods) covers searching and evaluating medical research literature; performing retrospective chart review; study design; basic biostatistical analysis; preparing for statistical consultation; how to write a study protocol for a basic science study, case report, retrospective study, and clinical trial; how to conduct basic science study, case report, retrospective study, and clinical trial; and how to prepare abstracts, posters, and oral presentations for basic science and clinical study.
COURSE 2 (Proposal Development and Research Management) covers how to write a research proposal for basic science study, case-control study, retrospective study, and clinical trial; advanced biostatistical analysis and data management; responses to critiques of study panel’s comments on proposals; research misconduct, clinical research management for case report, retrospective study, and clinical trial; and manuscript preparation and journal publication.

PART II includes scholarly activities:

Conducting a research project
Submitting at least one abstract as the first or co-first author and presenting the work for Student Research Week
Submitting at least one abstract as the first or co-first author and presenting the work at a State/National Conference
Submitting and presenting a 5-page research proposal to a DMR committee for approval
Participating in a manuscript submission: needs to be as one of coauthors in manuscript to show the significant contribution for peer-referred journal publication
Submitting required documents. Reviewed and approved by DMR Committee.
Attending group discussions to report progress on DMR requirements and hear from faculty presenters
- (7 required of 10 total meetings)

For the DMR program, you will submit two research proposals:

The first is the one page proposal which you will submit with your application. This is a project which you will work on during your time in medical school. It may be derived from your MSSRP project, but it cannot be a mere continuation thereof.
The second is a theoretical five-page research proposal which you will develop from scratch in conjunction with your mentor to satisfy requirement F of the DMR program. You are not expected to execute this project during medical school. The purpose of this proposal is to implement what you learn during the DMR about the proposal writing process.

Distinction in Medical Research Program