Student Research Opportunities

Build a competitive research profile that gives you an edge for the residency match. Saint Louis University School of Medicine offers customized pathways to collaborate with top-tier scientists on clinical, translational or basic science research.

A student in dressed in a blue lab gown, safety goggles and goves uses a tool to examine a specimen while a researcher observes.

Your Research Environment

As a prestigious Carnegie R1 research university, SLU spends at least $50 million on research and development, giving you direct access to elite facilities and renowned mentors.

Collaborate with these specialized teams to drive high-impact medical innovation:

Funded Summer Fellowships

Jumpstart your portfolio with the Summer Research Fellowship Program, a six-week summer program between your M1 and M2 years. You’ll partner with a faculty mentor to design a project and submit a proposal for the coming winter. This puts you in the running for one of 30 to 40 available student research stipends.

Funded Travel and Presentations

Take your findings to the regional or national stage. The Office of Student Affairs has dedicated travel funding to support medical students presenting scholarly work at major medical conferences.

Request Funding

Research Distinction Program

Interested in pursuing in-depth, longitudinal research? Earn SLU SOM’s formal research distinction upon graduation by following this pathway:

M1: Complete your introductory research modules and secure a faculty principal investigator.
M1-M2: Conduct six weeks of research via the Summer Research Fellowship between your M1 and M2 years.
M2-M3: Advance your findings while completing clinical research electives.
M4: Present your work at the annual Alpha Omega Alpha Student Research Forum and receive your formal diploma distinction.

Explore the Research Distinction Program

Alpha Omega Alpha Student Research Forum

Started in 1966, this annual forum follows a competitive, two-part presentation process designed to showcase student scholarship.

First, you’ll display a research poster to fellow medical students and faculty judges, from which five to six students are named finalists.

Two weeks later, if you are named a finalist, you’ll give a short, 15-minute talk to students and faculty. Prize money is awarded to the best presentations, and if you win first prize, you will head to the National Student Research Forum in Galveston, Texas, to compete for national honors.

By participating in the forum, you also become eligible for the Distinction in Research Award presented at commencement.

Timeline

End of November: Your student abstract submission is typically due.
Mid-January: Your poster session takes place.
End of January: Your final presentation occurs.

For more information, contact Theodore K. Malmstrom, M.D., at theodore.malmstrom@health.slu.edu or Lauren Schwarz, M.D., at lauren.schwarz@health.slu.edu.