Project Resources
The first step in the ISP process is finding an interesting project that may be accomplished in the time available. Students may wish to identify a project in a field in which they plan to specialize, but this is not essential. Some students may already have a project in mind. For others, choosing a project means choosing a faculty person with whom the student would like to work. Students are encouraged to look at previously completed projects to improve their understanding of the ISP requirements and to avail themselves of the resources listed below.
Resources for Getting Started
- A limited number of National Institutes of Health (NIH) short-term research grants are available for the summer following the first year. The work students do during the summer may serve as the foundation for the ISP. Please note that a separate proposal for the ISP must be submitted before the ISP component is begun. For more information on grant opportunities, please visit: http://meded.ucsd.edu/adpst/sum_research_ms.cfm
. - Grant and fellowship opportunities from other campus departments and outside organizations are often available (ex. In the past, the Arnold P. Gold Foundation has offered a summer fellowship program during which fellowship recipients undertake a research or service project focused on community health and cultural competency issues.). As with the NIH grants, these opportunities may serve as the foundation for an ISP (acceptance as an ISP is not automatic - a proposal must be approved in advance). Be sure to check your email and the WebPortal forums for announcements.
- The Electives Committee has compiled a list of faculty who have agreed to act as ISP Department Liaisons. These UCSD faculty are available to assist you if you are interested in doing an ISP in their department and need more information about faculty research interests.
- The members of the Electives Committee are responsible for reviewing and approving ISP proposals. Students with questions about a potential ISP or how to prepare a proposal may wish to contact the Chair of the Electives Committee. The current Electives Committee Chair is Susan Phillips, M.D., Department of Pediatrics.
- An on-line ISP - Student Research Opportunities Database (Web Portal account required) describes research and areas of interest for faculty members who are willing to work with students on their Independent Study Projects.
- Biostatistics support - Please contact Andrea Mondragon, ISP Coordinator, 858-822-6530, for potential resources.
- UCSD SOM Department websites, http://som.ucsd.edu/departments , often contain their own faculty research areas/interests.
- An ISP orientation is offered early in the calendar year. This orientation gives an overview of the ISP process and resources, as well as the opportunity to ask questions about the ISP.
- The UCSD Biomedical Library is a repository of the ISPs that have been submitted by each student since the inception of the UCSD School of Medicine. The index is at the Circulation Desk.
- Most of the projects will require a comprehensive review of the current literature. The librarians at the Biomedical Library are available to help construct expert search strategies for UCSD licensed databases and web resources. Contact the reference librarians at biomed@ucsd.edu to set up an appointment.
- Samples of ISP proposals are viewable within this handbook and a list of all previous ISP titles is available for perusal in the ISP Coordinator's office (Click here for past years' project titles and chairs).
- There are also student representatives from each class on the Electives Committee who are available to help you. Andrea Mondragon, ISP Coordinator, 858-822-6530, is available to answer preliminary questions. Jess Mandel, M.D., Dean for Undergraduate Medical Education, is also available for advice. In addition, you may want to speak with fourth-year medical students who have completed their ISPs or are working on them.
