Encouraged by the Medical College to begin their research careers as early as possible, some students have already begun securing outside funding for their research.
A few months into his first year at Weill Cornell Medical College, in December 2010, Bryan Iorgulescu decided that he wanted to pursue research on pediatric cancer. Iorgulescu is part of a growing trend at the Medical College among first- and second-year students who pursue independent research early in their medical school careers.
Iorgulescu sent his proposal to the St. Baldrick's Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for childhood cancer research, and he was awarded $5,000. He plans to begin his research in May and will build on the work he has already done under the guidance of Dr. Mark Souweidane, professor of neurological surgery and neurological surgery in pediatrics at Weill Cornell.
Iorgulescu presented his research proposal on new treatment strategies for children with neuroblastoma, a type of brain cancer, in February at Medical Student Research Day.
At most medical schools across the country, curricula during the first years two years of study are quite similar. Students immerse themselves in anatomy, physiology, microbiology and the rest of the basic sciences that will serve as the foundation for their medical educations, and later, their careers.
Weill Cornell Medical College students master those subjects, but their first years on York Avenue are not solely committed to classroom study. More and more, first- and second-year students are pursing independent research projects. Encouraged by the Medical College to begin their research careers as early as possible, some have already begun securing outside funding for their research.
"I read that last year St. Baldrick's awarded a handful of summer fellowships to medical students engaged in promising childhood cancer research, so I contacted them and explained my project," Iorgulescu says.
"Student research is a growing theme among foundations that fund research," says Dr. Brian D. Lamon, assistant dean for research development and outreach and director of medical student research at Weill Cornell. "Foundations want to get people interested in their cause earlier. We want to nurture these relationships and get more of our students and physicians involved."