2023 Student Research Colloquium Highlights
On Friday February 24th, the annual University Medical Student Research Colloquium, focused on current research in health disparities, was presented virtually via Zoom. The spate of outstanding research by 4th year students of the UCLA / CDU medical education program demonstrated the continuing commitment to value the importance of real-time research. That opportunity offers students a direct, hands-on understanding of the significant role that research plays in achieving and sustaining effective patient care.
The colloquium integrates research experience within the students’ overall course work, a process that equips them with the analytical thinking so important to ensure that a competent physician has the proper tools to practice evidence-based medicine. In accordance with a bench-to-bedside approach to translational research, students have many options when choosing a health disparities-related, mentored research project, including basic, clinical, bio-behavioral / psychosocial, environmental, quality improvement, public policy, and / or educational research.
The CDU / UCLA Medical Education Program continues its commitment to preparing excellent physicians by providing exceptional clinical research and practical training for individuals interested in serving urban, medically disadvantaged populations. Students enrolled in the program are required to engage in longitudinal research activity and submit a thesis at the research colloquium.
With the onset of the new 4-year medical program commencing in July of this year, there will be additional opportunities to expand the boundaries of inquiry through the research framework. The day’ s variety of topics served as a bridge to the next iteration of academic program offerings that will be at the core of training the cadre of aspiring physicians who are coming into a community that supports research as an essential tool of the academic education process.
The day’ s events were kicked off by a welcome from Dr. Shahrzad Bazargan-Hejazi, longtime Chair of the CDU / UCLA Medical Student Research Thesis Program. She provided a brief background of the development and evolution of the research program and its mission of increasing students’ medical research knowledge.
She highlighted the various components necessary to create a full-on research training module, including mentoring, training and guidance led by a group of senior physicians well-equipped to judge the quality of students’ final work as presented that day.
CDU President David Carlisle brought greetings from the various CDU departments. He noted how research makes medical training unique. Institutional namesake Dr. Charles Drew was the most prominent African American researcher of the 20th century, he added.
Dr. Jay Vadgama, CDU Vice President for Research and Health Affairs, offered his thanks and gratitude. He congratulated the students for their excellent work and said that he looked forward to a fantastic day. He was pleased with the diversity of presentations and
CDU College of Medicine | PG. 32