Most students at the School of Medicine engage in research projects at some time during their period of residence. The results of original research are often published in leading scientific journals and presented at national meetings of scientific societies. Major contributions have been made by medical students participating in research programs at Johns Hopkins and other institutions. Below are a list of research opportunities, awards, and scholarships offered through the School of Medicine.
Dean's Year of Research - The Dean's Year of Research provides an opportunity for 10 candidates pursuing the M.D. degree at Johns Hopkins to spend one year in an intensive research experience with a faculty member within the School of Medicine. Medical students participating in the program may elect to interrupt their regular medical curriculum to take an additional year devoted to research, thereby delaying their date of graduation by one year. Under this program, you will be placed under the Advanced Studies Program Student status and paid a salary equal to that of a first-year graduate student. The cost of the salary will be shared equally between the Dean's Office and the department in which the student is conducting their research. The cost of your JHU dental insurance premium will be paid by the Dean's Office during your Dean's Year of Research. If you participate in the student health plan, the Dean's Office will also pay your individual health insurance and UHS service fee while you participate in this program. If you are not enrolled in the student health plan, the Dean's Office will cover your plan up to the cost of the student health plan. For more information, please contact the Office of Medical Student Affairs.
Dr. Harold Lamport Research Fund - Mrs. Golden S. Lamport established the Dr. Harold Lamport Research Fund in honor of her husband, a Distinguished Service Professor of Physiology and Biophysics. A renowned investigator and educator, Dr. Lamport contributed to research in physiology, biophysics, and circulation. He was first recognized internationally when he published a series of incisive studies of hemodynamics, including the first comprehensive analysis of the renal afferent and efferent arteriolar resistances in relation to kidney function in health and disease. The Lamport Fund will support the effort of medical students interested in research in the basic science areas of medicine. The Medical Student Research Committee will determine the winner after the annual Medical Student Research Day takes place. The work must be original and must have been performed during a period in which the student was a matriculated student in the medical school pursuing the regular curriculum.
W. Barry Wood Student Research Fund - The W. Barry Wood Student Research Fund was established in 1971 by the family and friends of Dr. W. Barry Wood, Jr. Dr. Wood had a long association with the School of Medicine as student, house officer, Vice President of the University in charge of medical affairs, and Director of the Department of Microbiology. The fund commemorates Dr. Wood’s deep commitment to medical research and teaching. The Medical Student Research Committee will determine the winner after the annual Medical Student Research Day takes place.
Brantigan Clinical Research Fund - The fund was established in 1998 by a gift from John W. Brantigan, M.D. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support for students to conduct research and/or present their findings at professional meetings. Please contact the Office of Medical Student Affairs for more details.
Henry Strong Denison Fund for Medical Research - By agreement dated September 23, 1937, the Johns Hopkins University received from the Henry Strong Denison Medical Foundation, Incorporated, an endowment fund of $100,000, to be known as The Henry Strong Denison Fund for Medical Research in memory of Henry Strong Denison, M.D., 1908. While the gift is made broadly for the support of medical research, the income will be used for the specific purpose of aiding in the training for research of young people deemed by the medical faculty to be especially gifted for a career in medical investigation. To fulfill the provisions of this gift, the income each year may be allocated for awards, scholarships, and stipends for medical students in the School of Medicine. For more information, please contact the Office of Medical Student Affairs.
William L. Straus, Jr., Scholar in Anatomy Award - This fund was established in 1982 by an alumnus to honor Dr. Straus, former associate professor of anatomy and Acting Director of the Department of Anatomy. The donor specified that the award be made to a student with strong interests in basic research, people, and the history of medicine at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and Hospital.
Franklin Paine Mall Prize in Anatomy - The income from an endowment account established by Dr. Miley B. Wesson, an alumnus of the School, is used as an award for a deserving student particularly interested in anatomy. The grant is given in the name of Franklin Paine Mall, the first professor of anatomy in the School of Medicine, as a token of appreciation. Selection is made by the First Year Committee on Student Promotions.
Alan P. Trimakas Award in Cardiovascular Research - This award was established by contributions from the Class of 1979 to honor the memory of their classmate who died on January 15, 1979. In keeping with Dr. Trimakas’ intentions to pursue a career in academic cardiology, for which he had shown exceptional ability, this award will be given to a medical student who has demonstrated unusual promise in the area of cardiovascular research. The award will be made during the third year for a student planning an extended commitment to a research project to be completed during the final year of the curriculum. The recipient of this award will be selected by a committee representing the Cardiovascular Division of the Department of Medicine. Applications should be admitted to the director of the division.
Helen and Harold Harrison Award for Outstanding Proficiency in Pediatrics - This award was established by the Alumni/ae of Dr. Harold Harrison’s Residency Program in Pediatrics at the Francis Scott Key Medical Center. It is intended to give honor to the outstanding contributions made by the Harrison's over the many years of their tenure at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the Francis Scott Key Medical Center, and it will, in addition, recognize each year senior students whose efforts in pediatrics have been distinguished.
Sylvan Shane Prize in Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine - Dr. Sylvan Shane, a member of the Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine at Johns Hopkins from 1980 to 1984, has created an endowment to recognize an outstanding medical student making a career choice in anesthesiology. Dr. Shane’s lifetime was devoted toward the search for ways to prevent pain and suffering in patients undergoing surgical procedures. His generous gift is designed to give support and encouragement to graduating medical students who are committed to the same efforts.
William R. McAlpin Research Fund - The purpose of this fund, made possible by a cash award to Dr. Jerome D. Frank from the National Mental Health Association, is to encourage research by students in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health into any aspect of mental illness and mental health, but with preference given to studies relevant to clinical care, psychotherapy, or public health. Recipients will be selected by a committee composed of the Chairman of the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, The Chairman of the Department of Mental Hygiene of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health or persons they designate, and Dr. Frank. To apply for a grant, the student must submit a letter to the chairman of either department stating the amount requested and the reasons for the request, with a supporting letter from a faculty member. Requests will be received and reviewed at any time. The amount of any single grant, or the total multiple grants to any one person, shall not exceed $500.
Leo Kanner Student Research Fund - The Leo Kanner Student Research Fund was established in 1982 by Mrs. June Kanner to encourage medical student research in child psychiatry. Dr. Kanner, the first professor of child psychiatry at Johns Hopkins, was division director from 1930 to 1959 and is often called the Father of Child Psychiatry. Income from the fund is used to provide a student in the School of Medicine the opportunity to participate in a summer research project with a Child Psychiatry faculty member.
Harry C. Saltzstein Prize for Medical Writing - This prize was established in 1990 through an endowment provided by the family of Dr. Saltzstein, a graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Class of 1914. Dr. Saltzstein was the founder of Sinai Hospital of Detroit as well as its first Chief of Staff. He founded the Bulletin, Sinai Hospital of Detroit and ultimately became its editor. He maintained a life long interest in medical writing. His nephew, Dr. Sidney Saltzstein, graduated from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in 1954. This annual prize will recognize excellence in medical writing by a student of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
Summer Research Stipends for Medical Students - Summer research stipends are awarded each year if funds are available. These stipends are awarded in the summer after a medical students first year of medical school so they may participate in a research project under the supervision of a Johns Hopkins faculty member. This stipend cannot be used to participate in research at an outside institution. For more information, please contact the Office of Medical Student Affairs.