DERM 7185: Research in Dermatology

Course Availability:   2008-2009   2009-2010   2010-2011

Length Arranged
Sites Arranged
Periods Offered All periods
Limit 1
Course Director Dr. Maria Hordinsky, (612) 625-1493
Contact Dr. Maria Hordinsky, (612) 625-1493
Report first day:  Arranged

Description

 Almost all students who do a dermatology research rotation are interested in pursuing a career in dermatology.  While a rotation in dermatology research may help your application, it is by no means a guarantee. Research may be done for credit (6 wk maximum), pay, or volunteer service. The main reasons to do a rotation are: 1) interest in research; 2) demonstration of interest in dermatology to residency programs; 3) recommendation letter from faculty mentor; and/or 4) possible publication.  In general, 6 weeks in the minimum requirement, 3 months or more is preferable.  It is ideal to complete the research rotation before October of your fourth year. Please note that mentoring requires a substantial time investment in you by the mentor.  Part of the “unspoken agreement” between you and the mentor is that you complete the project regardless of whether or not you match in dermatology.

Goals and Objectives

Students will become acquainted with a problem or problems currently needing investigation in dermatology, particularly in fields relating to immunology, pathology, inflammation, or clinical disease. Students will help define an hypothesis and investigate the problem in the laboratory. Students should develop skills in investigative techniques and problem solving.

Evaluation

The student will be graded on the basis of formulation of a problem, initiative, problem solving, original thinking, and progress toward goals.

Independent Dermatology Research Projects for Medical Students

Almost all students who do a dermatology research rotation are interested in pursuing a career in dermatology.  While a rotation in dermatology research may help your application, it is by no means a guarantee. Research may be done for credit (4 wk maximum), pay, or volunteer service. The main reasons to do a rotation are: 1) interest in research; 2) demonstration of interest in dermatology to residency programs; 3) recommendation letter from faculty mentor; and/or 4) possible publication.  In general, 6 weeks is the minimum requirement, 3 months or more is preferable.  It is ideal to complete the research rotation before October of your fourth year. Please note that mentoring requires a substantial time investment in you by the mentor.  Part of the "unspoken agreement" between you and the mentor is that you complete the project regardless of whether or not you match in dermatology.

Projects at the University

 

  • Maria Hordinsky, M.D. Department Chair – conducts both basic science and clinical research.  Main interests are in hair and cutaneous innervation. In the past, students who have worked with Dr. Hordinsky have developed their own clinical or basic science laboratory research projects (through Minnesota Medical Foundation Student Grants or other mechanisms), written case reports, and helped conduct ongoing trials.  Basic science projects require a minimum of 6 months.

 

  • Peter Lee, M.D. PhD,  Director of Dermatological Surgery and Laser Center at University of Minnesota, Mohs dermatological surgeon – conducts clinical trials in lasers, dermatologic surgery, cutaneous oncology and other dermatological conditions. In the past, students who have worked with Dr. Lee have developed their own clinical research projects (through Minnesota Medical Foundation Student Grants or other mechanisms), written articles, and helped conduct ongoing trials. 

 

  • Kim Bohjanen, M.D., Med/Derm Residency Program Director, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma Clinic Director – conducts clinical trials in cutaneous t-cell lymphoma, psoriasis, and other dermatological conditions. In the past, students who have worked with Dr. Bohjanen have helped with an ongoing CTCL registry, written articles, and helped conduct ongoing trials. 

 

  • John Fenyk, M.D., Professor – conducts phase II (extended human safety and dosing studies), phase III (pre-FDA approval, large scale, multi-institutional human studies) and phase IV (post marketing studies – at this time often FDA required “real world” safety studies) clinical trials in dermatology.  Dr. Fenyk works full time at the University of Minnesota.  He has a special interest in autoimmune dermatological and rheumatological conditions. Students may participate in clinical trials, research and write case reports or review articles, other student proposed projects will be considered.

    Contact: fenyk001@umn.edu   

 

 

Projects at the VA

 

  • Erin Warshaw, M.D., M.S. – conducts clinical research in teledermatology and teledermoscopy, allergic contact dermatitis, cutaneous fungal diseases, and other dermatological conditions.  In the past, students who have worked with Dr. Warshaw have developed their own clinical research projects (through Minnesota Medical Foundation Student Grants or other mechanisms), written review articles, and helped conduct ongoing clinical trials.  Research rotations may either be taken as credit or as a research employee (paid position).  Dr. Warshaw also has two paid research fellowship positions available for individuals who are interested in a year of clinical research.  There is a two-month minimum required to work on projects with Dr. Warshaw.

 

 

How to Sign Up for a Research Rotation for Credit (rather than for pay or volunteer services)

    • Obtain the research director’s approval (Maria Hordinsky, MD).
    • Then contact medical student rotation coordinator Genne Fritz mcand003@umn.edu 612-625-4692: give her your name, student ID number (used to log into course registration site on the web), the period that you will do the research (course DERM 7185), and verify that you have the course director’s approval.  She will get it loaded into the computer for you.  Since it is an arranged rotation, students cannot register online as they do for other rotations.
    • Make sure you let Jane Boyer know that you are signing up for a dermatology research rotation. (612-626-4454) boyer009@umn.edu.
    • When your rotation is finished, please complete your course evaluation electronically in the E-value system at http://meded2.ahc.umn.edu/etw/etalus.htm .
    • Contact person for the research rotation in dermatology is Jane Boyer (612-626-4454) boyer009@umn.edu. Back up is Falon Bochniak (612-624-9964 dermapp@umn.edu)

 

The content editor for this page is Genne Fritts, mcand003@umn.edu, (612) 625-4692