A. Introduction

The Charles Drew/UCLA Medical Education Program is committed to providing excellent didactic and practical training for individuals interested in serving urban, medically disadvantaged populations. Since 1995, students enrolled in the College are required to complete a longitudinal research thesis project during the 3rd and 4th academic years at CDU. The overall goal of the MSRTP is to engage medical students in systematic acquisition, organization, analysis, and interpretation of information to develop new knowledge, attitude, and skills essential for providing up-to-date best medical practice and becoming leaders in clinical care, service and research.

B. MSRTP Requirements for Graduation

  • Attendance to Research Lecture series
  • Development and implementation of a closely mentored, but independent Research Project.
  • Submission of research abstract for Scholarship Day at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
  • Presentation (poster or oral) at the David Geffen School of Medicine, Scholarship Day
  • Presentation at CDU Annual Medical Student Research Colloquium
  • Submission of mentored approved Research Thesis

C. Medical Student Research Curriculum

1. Didactic Lecture and Workshop Series:

These lectures are intended to deliver basic principles that form the foundation for scientific investigation and prepare students with fundamentals to conduct and evaluate scholarly works. The Lecture Series are every Tuesday from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00P.M., OR 1:00P.M. to 5:00P.M. Student’s designation to attend morning or afternoon lectures depends on whether they are assigned for track A (morning sessions)or Track B (afternoon sessions).

2. Mentored Research Projects

In accordance with bench-to-bedside approach to translational research, students have options to pick a mentored research project in various areas such as basic, clinical, biobehavioral/psychosocial, environmental, quality improvement, public policy, and/or educational research. Students are advised to seek faculty mentors with strong clinical and/or research background.

D. Time Available for Research

Student can begin their mentored research activities as soon as they obtained the signed mentor contract form. They will also have protected research time on Tuesdays from 8:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. OR 1:00P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Student’s designation for the morning or afternoon research time depends on whether they are assigned to track A (morning sessions) or Track B (afternoon sessions).

E. Mentor Definition

I.Research mentor: faculty mentor who has evidence of previous mentoring experience, and/or research experience.

II.Content mentor: faculty mentor who is an expert in the research area that the medical student is interested in.

III.The choice of primary and secondary mentorship designation is up to the student and his/her mentors. Students can choose to have only one mentor as long as that mentor can fulfill the role of research and content mentor.

F. Mentoring Requirements

Content or Research mentor must:

  • Have a faculty appointment with CDU/UCLA or any other accredited educational or research entity.
  • Have the required IRB certificates to conduct research.
  • Sign a mentoring contract.
  • Submit a recent copy of a biographical sketch.
  • Submit required student evaluations

G. Mentoring Approval

The bio-sketch and research interest area of each potential mentor will be reviewed by the program Chair and will be discussed with the student for final approval.

H. Mentoring Term

A full mentoring term start on the day the faculty signs the “mentor contract” form and ends by the day the mentor signs off the “Research Thesis” for final submission. Any scholarly activities after submission of Research Thesis such as publication of student research thesis should be worked out on individual basis between student and his/her mentor/s.

I. MentoringResponsibilities

  • Invest sufficient time with the student to discuss research focus, direction, results.
  • Provide research training opportunity for the student; however, avoid assigning student as research assistance to complete someone’s project.
  • Provide regular supervision and follow-up with student’s research activities
  • Guild student in formulating a FINER research topic (i.e, Feasible, Interesting, Novel, Ethical, and Relevant).
  • Provide student with regular training and guidance through out development, implementation, delivery, and dissemination of research findings. (i.e., Research protocol, Research abstracts, Presentations, and submission of Research Thesis).

J. Evaluations

  • Submit, quarterly, “Research Practicum Report”.
  • Submit, on as needed basis, “Mentoring Report”.
  • Submit, annually, “Medical Student Performance Report”.

K. Dissolution of Mentor Status

A mentor can be removed by the program Chair for any of the following:

  • Lack of scientific quality of the project due to ineffective mentoring
  • Unavailability of mentor
  • Disharmony with student
  • Student progress is not satisfactory because of issues with the mentor
  • Inconsistency with the principles and practice of MSRTP.

L. Mentoring Incentives

  • Maintaining full time/part time faculty appointment with CDU.
  • Publications
  • Recognition/Awards
  • Student Evaluation
  • Skill building

Resources Available

  • CDU, LearningResourceCenter (LRC):Technical assistance for poster, PowerPoint and oral presentation development by appointment.
    Contact:Darlene Parker-Kelly 323-563-9340
  • Faculty Development Office

Contact: Edwin Cabatit 323-563-4989

  • Health Science Library

Contact: Darlene Parker-Kelly 323-563-9340

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB)

Contact:Junko Nishitani 323-563-4966

  • MSRTP Program Coordinator

Contact: Maribeth J. Hernandez 323-563-4965

  • ResearchCenter for Minority Institution (RCMI): Individualized assistance with data analysis can be arranged by appointment.Contact: 323-563-5911
  • SharePoint: Up-to-date information about MSRTP.

Contact: Maribeth Hernandez 323-563-4965

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Revised December 7, 2011SB