Training and Research Opportunities
Medical Student Training Opportunities
Pathyway of Distinction - Data Science
This data science training program is for interested UToledo medical students during the pre-matriculation period. The curricula is designed to increase student knowledge of biomedical research and related scientific principles, developing physicians proficient in data science and how it may be used to study and treat diseases.
The M0 (M ZERO) module is offered to admitted UToledo premedical students during the 4-6 weeks prior to the start of medical school. It is primarily in person. Time commitment is about 20 hours per week for 4 weeks. The schedule is flexible to accommodate vacation and other commitments.
Summary: Module 1: Foundations of Bioinformatics (M0).
- Module 1 consists of a four-week pre-matriculation program
- Participants experience a data science education curriculum before starting their first year of medical school
- In-person training covers the basics of data science research including:
- Biomedical informatics
- Clinical informatics
- Principles of coding
- Biostatistics
- Database management.
A limited number of competitive stipends will be offered to offset living/housing expenses during this time. For the summer of 2025, we expect to offer up to five $1000 stipends.
Interested admitted UToledo premedical students are encouraged to apply.
Undergraduate Research Opportunties
Undergraduate research in a Department of Neurosciences and Psychiatry's laboratory is a great way to gain additional experience in the field. Undergraduate students are encouraged to get involved as early as possible in their education journey. Students can complete research in labs at any point in their undergraduate career. Ideally it is encouraged for students to get involved as early as possible.
Department of Neurosciences and Psychiatry's labs typically do not take students who ask to start researching in their senior years.
What is takes to be an undergraduate researcher in the Department of Neurosciences and Psychiatry. The following is expected of our researchers.
- To conduct research in an ethical manner to produce unbiased, accurate results, and to immediately report any errors.
- To act in a way that enhances the work of the laboratory.
- To complete the necessary trainings required by the lab.
- To perform my role to the best of my ability
- To follow the organizations policies and procedures.
- To meet time and task commitments.
- To fulfill my role described
- To provide sufficient notice of when not available to my supervisor.
Still Interested in gaining research experience?
Dr. Robert Smith and the Department of Neurosciences and Psychiatry developed a training program for those interested in undergraduate research called the UTCOMLS Undergraduate Research Certificate Program (URCP). Part of this program will involve helping students who do not have a laboratory or research program find a scientist to work with. URCP is open to any undergraduate. It doesn’t matter if you are already in a laboratory, or where that laboratory is located.
If you are interested in working with Dr. Robert Smith or someone on my team or in the Department of Neurosciences and Psychiatry at the UToledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, URCP is highly recommended, not required. It is only required if you want to work directly in my lab (called the Cognitive Disorders Research Laboratory (CDRL) https://cdrl-ut.org/).
Please send an email to Neurosciences@utoledo.edu to start the inquiry process.