Opportunities for Medical Student Funded Summer Research
in the Department of Psychiatry
Opportunities abound for funded summer research in the department of psychiatry. Most of the
programs listed below are similar in format:
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Funded by T32 training grants from the National Institutes of Mental Health
Eight-week programs with $3500 stipends
Strong programmatic supervision from leaders who are nationally renowned researchers
Direct project supervision from a faculty mentor in an area of the student’s choosing
Mentors may be MD or PhD, from within or outside of the department of psychiatry
International projects may be possible, as long as some of the work is done locally
Formal didactics including seminars, journal clubs, and lectures
Possible work on basic, translational, or clinical projects
Work can be extended into a Scholarly Project or publication if the student wishes
WPIC Program
Population Topic
Geriatric
Psychiatry
Directors
Dr. Charles Reynolds
Geriatric
Med/Psych
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Adult
Psychiatry
Cardiovascular Behavioral
Medicine
Adult
Cardiology/Psych
Translational Research
Training in Sleep Medicine
Clinical Research Training in
Child Psychiatry
Adult
Sleep
Dr. Charles Reynolds
Dr. Stephanie Studenski
Dr. Robert Sweet
Dr. Etienne Sibille
Dr. Karen Matthews
Dr. Matthew Muldoon
Dr. Daniel Buysse
Child
Psychiatry
Dr. David Brent
4
Clinical Research Training in
Geriatric Psychiatry
Clinical Research Training
Program in Geriatrics and
Gerontology
Training for Transformative
Discovery in Psychiatry
Slots
4
4
1
4
Clinical Research Training in Geriatric Psychiatry
This program helps students gain an in-depth knowledge of and appreciation for cutting-edge clinical
research in geriatric psychiatry. Students choose mentors mainly from the Advanced Center for
Interventions and Services Research in Late-Life Mood Disorders, but also may draw upon the resources
of the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Mentorship lies at the heart of the experience, with a variety
of experiences designed to help students gain exposure to interdisciplinary research, learn how to
communicate and function effectively in a research group, and appreciate geriatric mental health services
research. Students also participate in group mentoring with a variety of professionals including junior
faculty and postdocs.
Students (2011)
Ian Joel
Jonathan McGovern
Website:
Contact:
Project Title/Area
Predictors of Treatment Response in
Late Life Depression
The neuropsychiatric factors in an older
adult population that may influence
surgical outcome and patient
satisfaction following lumbar spine
surgery
www.wpic.pitt.edu/research/depr
Charles F. Reynolds, III, MD
412-246-6413
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Mentors
Charles F. Reynolds III, MD
Jordan F. Karp, MD
Peter C. Gerszten, MD, MPH
reynoldscf@upmc.edu
Clinical Research Training Program in Geriatrics and Gerontology
This program helps students interested in clinical research in geriatrics, especially projects that lie on the
interface between medicine and psychiatry. Students choose mentors from any area of geriatrics:
particular areas of focus include incontinence, osteoporosis, sleep, cardiovascular disease, disability and
rehabilitation, depression, neural injury and recovery, and care-giving. Mentorship lies at the heart of the
experience, with a variety of experiences designed to help students gain exposure to interdisciplinary
research, and learn how to communicate and function effectively in a research group. Some students may
choose to extend this experience by participating in the Geriatrics AOC and/or doing an additional twomonth elective in geriatrics research in the fourth year.
Website:
Contact:
http://www.aging.upmc.com/educators/centers/pgh-research-train.htm
Charles F. Reynolds, III, MD
412-246-6413
reynoldscf@upmc.edu
Stephanie Studenski, MD, MPH 412-692-2360
studenskis@dom.pitt.edu
Training for Transformative Discovery in Psychiatry
This program provides an opportunity for students to receive stipend support to participate in research
whose ultimate aim is translating advances in our understanding of brain neuroscience into meaningful
changes in treatments for individuals with mental illness. Students can choose from a list of mentors and
projects spanning a range of mental illnesses (schizophrenia, major depression, bipolar illness, substance
use disorders, alzheimer disease) and whose research methodologies range from laboratory studies of
human brain tissue and animal models to in vivo imaging and assessment of clinical phenomenology (a
complete listing is available from the Director, Dr. Sweet, and the Co-Director, Dr. Sibille).
The program focuses on helping the student develop a data set that will serve as a scholarly project and
provide opportunities for presentation and publication. Students will also participate in a seminar led by
senior faculty, focused on how state of the art neuroscience can help us better understand and treat mental
illness. Finally, students will be familiarized with the range of mental illness via exposures to mentally ill
patients in clinical settings.
Students (2011)
Eun-Bee “Carolyn”
Kwon
Priya Samarendra
Contact:
Project Title/Area
Role of Neuronal Calcium Sensor
Protein VILIP-1 in Alzheimer’s Disease
PP1A and PP1G's Role in
Schizophrenia
Robert A. Sweet, MD
Etienne L. Sibille, PhD
Mentors
Robert Sweet, MD
Robert Sweet, MD
412-383-8548 sweetra@upmc.edu
412-383-8548 sibilleel@upmc.edu
Cardiovascular Behavioral Medicine
Students choose a research topic in psychosomatic medicine, especially related to cardiovascular
behavioral medicine. Students interested in understanding how psychosocial factors play a role in
cardiovascular disease may be interested in this fellowship, funded by the NHLBI. Contact with patients,
visiting speakers, and seminar series will be part of the experience. Dr. Muldoon directs clinical studies
at the Behavioral Physiology Laboratory and is co-director of the fellowship; Dr. Matthews is the
director.
Students (2011)
Website:
Project Title/Area
Mentors
http://www.wpic.pitt.edu/behavioralmedicine/TrainingSummer.html
2
Contact:
Karen Matthews, PhD
Matthew Muldoon, MD MPH
412-624-8798
mfm10@pitt.edu
Translational Research Training in Sleep Medicine
The Pittsburgh Sleep Medicine Institute (PSMI) offers a summer research fellowship for medical
students. Sleep medicine includes neuroscience, psychiatry, neurology, pulmonary medicine and
epidemiology—and so students have a range of areas to choose from for research projects. Students are
expected to develop analytical thinking skills, connect with role models and mentors, interact with a
community of scholars, and improve oral and written communication. The optimal duration of the
experience would be between eight and twelve weeks. About 8 hours per week will be clinical
observation/experience.
Students (2011)
Project Title/Area
Mentors
Sommer Ebdlahad
Comparing mechanisms of REM sleep in
depression and PTSD: A neuroimaging
study
Anne Germain, PhD
Contact:
Daniel Buysse, MD (psychiatry) 412-246-6413
Patrick Strollo, MD (pulmonary) 412-624-8798
buyssedj@upmc.edu
strollopj@upmc.edu
Clinical Research Training in Child Psychiatry
This program helps students gain an in-depth knowledge of and appreciation for cutting-edge clinical
research in child/adolescent psychiatry. Students can focus on the risk factors, course, prevention, and
treatment of child mental health disorders, including psychosocial and biological predictors of treatment
response. Studies of unmet need and ways to improve the delivery of child mental health services in
primary and tertiary care are also included.
Students (2011)
Project Title/Area
Mentors
Allison Walton
Obesity and Depression in Pgh Girls Study
Participants
Kathleen McTigue, MD
Website:
Contact:
http://www.childpsychresearch.com/
David A. Brent, MD
412-246-5596
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brentda@upmc.edu
START-MH
Summer Training on Aging Research Topics - Mental Health (START-MH) Program, conducted by the
Division of Geriatric Psychiatry at University of California, San Diego, with grant support from the
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), is a unique national program that offers competitive
scholarships to medical students who may be interested in aging and mental health research.
The program gives students an opportunity to gain research experience and work closely with an
established mentor/investigator. The training will include a rigorous research experience with
comprehensive mentoring and advising. During the 10-week summer program, students will work on
specific projects developed by, or in conjunction with their mentor. Training sites are located across the
country. Students may select their own mentors or they can be matched with mentors based on their
research interest and/or geographical area. The training is designed for students at all research levels and
no formal research experience is necessary. In addition to research, students will be encouraged to attend
educational opportunities at their host institution such as research seminars, journal clubs, and case
conferences. Students will learn research methods relevant to geriatric mental health.
Graduate and medical student participants will receive $6250 for the 10-week training. The program
stipend will be prorated accordingly for shorter training experiences. From this stipend, students are
responsible for arranging and paying for their own meals, housing and travel expenses during the training
experience. The program will pay for all expenses related to the START-MH conference at UCSD in
August.
The program activities are rigorous and require a full time commitment (five days a week/ 40 hours per
week). Students can not work outside the fellowship. At the end of the program, students are expected to
provide a report of their summer activities including an abstract or paper based on their research.
Geraldine Trinidad Email: startmh@ucsd.edu web: http://startmh.ucsd.edu/
Leanne Spurlock Research Fellowship in Drug Abuse and Addiction for
Minority Medical Students
Funding is available for minority medical students to have an 8-12-week summer experience in
child/adolescent addictions research under the mentorship of a faculty mentor (available at WPIC or
elsewhere). You also get a free trip to the AACAP annual convention in October. See details linked
below.
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/research_and_training_awards/jeanne_spurlock_research_fellowship_in_dr
ug_abuse_and_addiction_for_minority_medical_students
AACAP: Summer Research in Child Psychiatry
The AACAP Summer Medical Student Fellowships offer a chance for up to 6 medical students to explore
a career in child and adolescent psychiatry, gain valuable work experience, and meet leaders in the child
and adolescent psychiatry field. The fellowship opportunity provides up to $3,500 for 12 weeks of clinical
or research training under a child and adolescent psychiatrist mentor. Participants are required to attend
the 2008 AACAP Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL on October 28 – November 2, 2008. (Complimentary
registration and travel reimbursement for the Annual Meeting are included in addition to the fellowship
stipend.) Students must identify a mentor in advance of applying. For further detail, see:
http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/research_and_training_awards/summer_medical_student_fellowships
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M-STREAM program
Brief Overview
The UCSD Stein Institute for Research on Aging is now accepting applications for the second year of the
Medical Students’ Sustained Training and Research Experience in Aging and Mental Health (MSTREAM) program. The M-STREAM program is a sustained research training opportunity designed to
provide support to students throughout the course of their four years of medical school. The program
offers a different opportunity for each year of medical school. Students in the program will participate in
research activities focusing on aging and mental health as this program is funded through the National
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).
Summer Training Program
Up to 20 medical students will be selected to receive an intense, hands-on, mentored summer research
training experience in geriatric neuropsychiatry. The students will be paired with mentors to participate in
research either at their own institution or at another appropriate one. Each trainee will conduct a research
project for approximately 10 weeks of summer, usually between the 1st and 2nd years of medical school.
Duration of training varies from a minimum of 8 full-time consecutive weeks to a maximum of 12 weeks
during the summer months. Toward the end of summer, the trainees will attend a 3-day Workshop at
UCSD, where they will present their summer research projects. They will also prepare manuscripts for
publication with the help of their mentors. Students participating in the training program receive a stipend
in the amount of approximately $1,700 per month, with the amount prorated accordingly to training
duration. Applications can be found on the M-STREAM website at www.mstream.ucsd.edu and are due
February 1, 2011.
Subsequent Year Opportunities
In addition to the summer training program, M-STREAM has a variety of opportunities for students in
subsequent years of medical school. During the second and third years of medical school, students will
visit NIH to meet with NIMH officials and will also be encouraged to attend a relevant professional
conference where they will present their research. In the fourth year of medical school, students will work
on a research project related to geriatric mental health during an elective course.
Apply Now
The program staff recently released the application to apply for the summer training program. The
updated application is now available via the website and students can apply for the upcoming
opportunities available through the M-STREAM program. The staff at the Stein Institute is looking
forward to another exciting summer of research and would like to invite students to apply now. The
deadline to apply for the summer research program is February 1, 2011. For more information regarding
the M-STREAM program, please visit the website at www.mstream.ucsd.edu.
Thank you again for your continued support for this new training program. Please feel free to contact the
program director, Michelle Black, at miblack@ucsd.edu with further questions or concerns.
Maureen A. Curran, M.S.
Executive Director
UCSD Division of Geriatric Psychiatry and Stein Institute for Research on Aging
Education Coordinator, Clinical Translational Research Institute
9500 Gilman Drive, 0664
La Jolla CA 92093-0664
(858)822-4524
macurran@ucsd.edu (please note change from mhalpain@ucsd.edu)
geropsych.ucsd.edu
aging.ucsd.edu
ctri.ucsd.edu
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MMTP
The Multimodal Neuroimaging Training Program, coordinated by the University of Pittsburgh
and Carnegie Mellon University, is hosting its second year 6-week summer workshop, which
will provide training in multiple imaging modalities, including structural MRI, functional MRI,
PET, MEG/EEG, and optical imaging. Our approach will be to focus training scientists who have
experience with one imaging modality, and would like to integrate multiple imaging modalities
in order to address neuroscience questions. Suitable participants for this training program are
senior graduate students, medical students, post-doctoral fellows, and independent researchers.
Furthermore, candidates must have knowledge of brain structure and function and have previous
experience with at least one imaging modality. By taking participants that have a background in
one modality, we can cross-train in another modality.
Participants will learn the principles of multiple imaging modalities, and receive hands-on
experience on how to acquire, process, and interpret imaging data, specifically:
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Basic lectures and imaging laboratory tours will allow participants to understand the
importance of multiple complementary imaging modalities and to learn the basic principles
and required instrumentation for the five different imaging modalities.
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To gain further research experience, participants will spend four weeks in one imaging
faculty's laboratory performing a summer research project. The choice of laboratory will be
determined by the Steering Committee by considering the trainees' desire, background, and
the number of trainees in a given laboratory. This training will include data acquisition, data
processing, visualization, and interpretation. Thus, the participant will become familiar with
the entire process of one imaging modality from data acquisition to interpretation.
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To demonstrate the synergy of multimodal neuroimaging, we will host a symposium
focusing on brain development.
Participation in the summer workshop is made by completing an application and submitting it to
(MNTP@pitt.edu). The application must be accompanied by a copy of your CV and a brief (2
page) essay describing your neuroimaging experience, interest and goals in participating in the
workshop. Participants in this workshop will receive an allowance of $2,500 to cover meals and
other education-related expenses and will be provided with housing in a double-occupancy
dormitory on campus. They will also receive funds to help defray the cost of travel and other
related expenses. Please note that funding is limited to 14 recipients'.
Application deadline is late February
For information about research programs at WPIC, check out: www.wpic.pitt.edu/research
For more information about any of the opportunities presented here, please contact:
Jason Rosenstock, MD
Director, Medical Student Education
Department of Psychiatry
WPIC/University of Pittsburgh
rosenstockjb@upmc.edu
412-246-6497
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