Our long-term goal in conducting medical research is to prevent the onset of disease, diagnose disease earlier, and provide more successful therapies. To achieve this, we must have a thorough understanding of the mechanisms underlying disease onset and progression.

Our investigators at Icahn Mount Sinai are involved in cutting-edge research on all levels. Many serve as mentors to medical students by teaching them how to formulate a hypothesis, develop a research proposal, and carry out a research project. Our strength in this area is consistently recognized in our high ranking with the National Institutes of Health, our impressive recruitment of renowned researchers and scientists, and our strong mentorship across our programs.

As faculty and staff of the Medical Student Research Office, we are committed to helping you identify a supportive faculty research mentor in your chosen field of interest.

Mary Rojas, PhD
Director, Medical Student Research
mary.rojas@mssm.edu

Jenny Lin, MD
Associate Director, SCHOLaR Program
Associate Director, Medical Student Research
jenny.lin@mountsinai.org

Keith Sigel, MD, PhD
Co-Director, PORTAL Program (MD/MSCR)
Associate Director, Medical Student Research
keith.sigel@mssm.edu

As an Icahn Mount Sinai student, you may participate in clinical, basic, or translational research in a wide variety of fields. We train you to view the patient as a whole, analyze their condition or disease, and develop a research project to answer questions that can lead to more effective disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Our services are available to all students, regardless of whether you have had previous research experience or not. You may conduct research projects during the school year, the summer break between Year 1 and Year 2 as part of our Summer Research Program, or during a full year following Year 2 or Year 3 as part of a Scholarly Year.

A wealth of information is available in the Medical Student Research Office to assist you with preparing abstracts, research proposals, and posters. We also schedule training sessions in these important research skills at various times during the academic year.

Distinction in Research is a graduation award that recognizes medical students for their outstanding contribution to research.

To qualify, you must:

1. Be in good academic standing at Icahn Mount Sinai
2. Have a manuscript accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal as a first author to a journal with an impact factor greater than or equal to two (in the year of publication, or two years prior to publication), OR as a second author to a journal with an impact factor greater than or equal to ten (in the year of publication, or two years prior to publication).
3. Have done research while a medical student. Your project mentor must submit a letter attesting to this, endorsing you as a candidate for this award, and you must adhere to application guidelines as well.
4. Submit the online application, including a copy of the manuscript or a PubMed link to access the manuscript, before March 1 of your graduating year.

Please note that case studies, literature reviews, and QI projects are not eligible for Distinction in Research. Students in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MD-PhD) program are eligible to apply.