Internship Provides Hands-On Medical Research Experience

By Ashok Agarwal, PhD, HCLD

Ashok Agarwal, PhD, HCLD

With the number of physicians pursuing research careers declining, medical schools are emphasizing the development of physician-scientists. Preparatory programs have emerged, although very few provide an actual hands-on research experience for students.

In response, the American Center for Reproductive Medicine (ACRM) in Cleveland Clinic’s Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute has developed — and continues to refine — a unique summer internship program that introduces premedical and medical students to the dynamic field of medical research. During this seven-week program, interns:

• Attend lectures by renowned speakers. ACRM faculty and invited scientists/clinicians from around the world speak on topics ranging from male and female infertility to writing a scientific abstract. While the internship focuses on reproductive medicine, interns learn research concepts applicable in any lab.
• Receive training from accomplished mentors. Seasoned Cleveland Clinic scientists and clinicians serve as preceptors. They guide interns through research and writing projects, teaching them the necessary techniques and protocols.
• Conduct original bench research. Projects are carefully planned, tested and approved by Cleveland Clinic’s Institutional Review Board. Teams of five or six interns are assigned to each project, where they apply knowledge gained from lectures, mentoring and prior coursework to solve clinical problems.
• Draft a scientific manuscript. Each intern is assigned a topic according to his or her interest. Mentors provide guidance but interns work independently, surveying literature, analyzing findings and clearly communicating their conclusions in writing.
• Develop essential “soft” skills. As future professionals, interns learn important attributes such as professionalism, leadership and volunteerism through the program’s activities.

Past participants say that the opportunity to conduct bench research and write scientific manuscripts sets our program apart from others. These elements are largely why our program remains highly competitive, accepting only about 15 percent of applicants.

From its inception in 2008 through 2013, our internship program trained 114 students from 23 states and 10 countries. More than 70 percent were undergraduates. Almost none had prior research experience. However, through our program, these students successfully:

• Performed 12 bench research projects on current and emerging topics in reproductive medicine
• Published 98 research articles in peer-reviewed reproductive, fertility, andrology and urology journals

Past interns credit our program with helping them gain acceptance into top medical schools, coveted residency programs and professional positions. Since 2010, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine has honored our program three times with its Scholarship in Teaching Award, commending impact on medical education and student careers.

By offering this foray into medical research, ACRM is not only helping future physicians recognize and appreciate the value of research and its impact on patient care, but is also inspiring them to pursue research-oriented careers.

Dr. Agarwal is Director of the Glickman Urological & Kidney Institute’s Andrology Center and of the American Center for Reproductive Medicine. He is also a Professor of Surgery at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine.