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NSU MD Students Gain Research Experience
Throughout a career in medicine, physicians analyze clinical evidence as it relates to advances in medicine and the treatment of patients. At Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Allopathic Medicine (NSU MD), we believe in empowering the next generation of researchers. Our faculty researchers support student success through mentorship to cultivate the next generation of scholars and professionals. NSU MD students engage in complex, real-world issues, explore their intellectual curiosities, and make a meaningful impact on society.
Working on research projects develops a different set of critical thinking skills. It helps me understand the research process that is important for doctors to validate studies on medications and treatments.
Luiza Palmieri Serrano | M2 Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program
Luiza Palmieri's Story
In her second year of medical school, Luiza Palmieri Serrano got accepted into the Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) program, a competitive and prestigious National Institutes of Health research initiative. For four weeks, she worked at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, researching how to improve care for patients over 65 years old who may have delirium. She presented her research at the NSU RISE conference in September and will present at the American Geriatrics Society meeting in May 2024.
“I talked to patients directly and evaluated their hearing and vision and how these impairments may correlate to confusion. Working on research projects develops a different set of critical thinking skills. It helps me understand the research process that is important for doctors to validate studies on medications and treatments,” she said.
Student Research Travel Funding
Limited funds are available to help students defray conference registration and travel costs if a student is making a presentation at major conference.
- Research being presented must have been conducted while in medical school
- Student must be presenting author on paper/poster/abstract
- Student must be in good academic standing
- Student must have approval to attend conference
Apply 3 weeks prior to conference/meeting/publication date.
As a NSU MD student, you’ll have allotted time built into the curriculum to work on projects through internal and external scholarships. These opportunities include:
- The Robert E. Dooley Medical Student Research Grant in Prostate Cancer Research
- The Cell Therapy Institute Medical Student Grant in Cancer Research
- The Moffitt Cancer Translation Research Rotation
- Summer scholarship opportunities offered by top tier research institutes
- National Institutes of Health funded awards provide research training and networking opportunities
A Research Thread Director will work with you to find opportunities that fit your interests, provide editorial guidance for scholarships, and mentor you through interview stages and onboarding.
Rise Up
NSU MD sponsors events for students to present research results and experiences. Every fall, students present at NSU’s RISE (Research, Innovation and Service in Education) Conference. This is a safe environment where students present abstracts and receive feedback to prepare them for national and international events. Key research focuses of NSU MD include:
- Clinical Research
- Epidemiology
- Basic Science & Translational
- Medical Education
- Service Learning Projects
The diverse research opportunities at NSU have given me the right foundation to solve problems and validate studies which will prove to my advantage as a physician.
Darisel N. Ventura Rodriguez | M4
Darisel N. Ventura Rodriguez's Story
Darisel N. Ventura Rodriguez has conducted research in a variety of areas such as human trafficking, a chronic skin condition, fusion of bones in baby’s skull, COVID-19, mentorship, and medical Spanish. She has presented her research through posters at regional, national, and international conferences. At NSU’s RISE Conference 2021, she won the Best Poster for Clinical Research Award.
Class of 2027 Scholarship Awardees
NSU MD National Research Scholars
Taline Nazarian
MSTAR John Hopkins University
Una Milovanovic
MSTAR John Hopkins University
Leon Liu
MSTAR University of California San Diego
Sean Limfat
MSTAR University of California San Diego
Moffitt Cancer Translation Research Rotation
NSU MD Sponsors 6 students every summer to engage in a translational cancer research experience at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa Bay, FL. Congrats to the selected candidates!
Parker Melnick
Drew Johnston
Sara Cameron
Una Milovanovic
Skendi Lile
Carina Ferraris