Mentors and MS1- MS4

Resources

Mentor-specific

Mentors & students

Research-related questions

  • How do I find a research mentor? What type of research should I do?

    • Join the DIG mentoring program: there is individualized pairing of mentees/ mentors. This person will be your main career mentor. It's okay if their research interest isn't exactly aligned with yours – they will be a very valuable resource to help you find research mentors/ projects either here at UCSF or at another institution.
    • Look at the UCSF Department of Dermatology website for research interests of faculty and contact a mentor directly. After establishing a mentorship relationship, it is advisable to notify the current career advisors for dermatology. The advisors play an important role in the application process (including responding to outside programs' inquiries about students), so it is best if they are familiar with your derm-related projects/activities.
    • It is strongly recommended that you limit the number of mentors to focus on deeper relationships rather than talking with/ doing research with many mentors. There are limited mentors in the department so consider switching mentors if you feel that a mentoring relationship isn't working rather than accumulating multiple mentors. It is also strongly recommended that your primary mentor is somebody other than the residency program director or the confidential derm advisor.Talk to current Residents in the Dermatology Department or previous students who have matched into Dermatology from UCSF (see recent match lists). They can often give advice regarding good mentorship and perspective on the faculty you are considering doing research with.
    • Talk to current Residents in the Dermatology Department or previous students who have matched into Dermatology from UCSF (see recent match lists). They can often give advice regarding good mentorship and perspective on the faculty you are considering doing research with.
    • Consider what types of projects you have time for. Remember that any clinical research will likely entail writing an IRB or recruiting patients and will require time – a summer at the very least but more likely a year off. Though first year seems very busy, it is one of the least busy years of medical school and possibly the best time to engage in a research project if you are managing the academic load well. The summer between 1st and 2nd year, 2nd year, and 4th year are other good times to pursue ongoing research. It is very difficult to do research during 3rd year. Be transparent with your mentors about what types of obligations you have with school or clerkships to ensure that your timeline meets theirs. In general, it is recommended to consider some type of clinical case series or clinical review (which is almost guaranteed publication) in addition to an original research project (which are typically more time consuming and not guaranteed to be published).Aim to submit your research publications by the summer of 4th year at the latest. The ERAS application will require you to list submitted manuscripts separate from works that are published; in general submitted manuscripts are not as highly regarded because there was a study that demonstrated that very few manuscripts listed as submitted were ultimately published (this study was done specifically on dermatology applicants).
    • Aim to submit your research publications by the summer of 4th year at the latest. The ERAS application will require you to list submitted manuscripts separate from works that are published; in general submitted manuscripts are not as highly regarded because there was a study that demonstrated that very few manuscripts listed as submitted were ultimately published (this study was done specifically on dermatology applicants).
    • Please note: it is not necessary to do multiple research projects with different faculty (in fact this is strongly discouraged).
    • It is imperative to make every attempt to FINISH any projects that you start, and to complete them according to your research mentor's expected timeline; failure to fulfill a project commitment or to meet a deadline may result in losing your research mentor's support and possibly even their willingness to write you a letter of support.There are several opportunities to engage in research during residency and in fellowships. A 2+2 program or a year off are not the last opportunity and are not required to have an academic career.
    • There are several opportunities to engage in research during residency and in fellowships. A 2+2 program or a year off are not the last opportunity and are not required to have an academic career.
    • Think about funding options – some are general funding, while others are more relevant depending on the research project. Do your homework and ask your mentor if any of these funding options make sense: Dean's research award, grants through CTSI RAP program, American Dermatology Association grant, American Skin Association, North American Contact Dermatitis Society.

Academic Planning

  • 2024 - 2025 Bridges Curriculum

Research and Funding

  • Yearlong Inquiry Program

  • Other Research Fellowships

    • To find a variety of research opportunities, search "dermatology research fellowship medical student" in Google and, if you wish, add the name of an institution of interest. For example: "dermatology research fellowship medical student University of Utah"

General Advice & Organizations to get involved with