educational research?

[Caristra]

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I am going to be doing some independent research this semester. Initially it is going to consist of updating the labratory classes at my school (modifying the experiments , adding new ones etc.). I will have to go through various lab manuals, test out different experiments and devise some of my own. It may end in a labratory manual publication with my professor. How do schools generally look upon this kind of research? Do they see it the same as basic science research?

One of the main resaons why I want to be an MD/PHD is because I am drawn to academic medicine. I love medicine but I also really love to teach this stuff. I have been actively involved in teaching at my undergrad which is why this is such a great opportunity for me, since it lets me research the way we best absorb and learn this material. But I'm nervous that schools won't view it as valid research experience. What do you think?

 

[penguinophile]

I am going to be doing some independent research this semester. Initially it is going to consist of updating the labratory classes at my school (modifying the experiments , adding new ones etc.). I will have to go through various lab manuals, test out different experiments and devise some of my own. It may end in a labratory manual publication with my professor. How do schools generally look upon this kind of research? Do they see it the same as basic science research?

One of the main resaons why I want to be an MD/PHD is because I am drawn to academic medicine. I love medicine but I also really love to teach this stuff. I have been actively involved in teaching at my undergrad which is why this is such a great opportunity for me, since it lets me research the way we best absorb and learn this material. But I'm nervous that schools won't view it as valid research experience. What do you think?

As long as you show the thought process of what you are doing I don't think it would matter. Adcoms want to see thought behind your research. A person can be a tech in a biomedical lab just doing what the PI tells them to, but I would think that you would be seen as a better candidate since you are the one putting thought behind the experiments

 

[xanthines]

I agree with everything except your first sentence. I feel that your chances are somewhat decreased the farther and farther you get away from biomedical research. Especially for NIH funded programs where the goal is to produce physician-scientists. The buzzword is translational research. Designing teaching experiments is pretty cool, but you might look less attractive than some hardcore science geek. After all, birds of a feather...

However, as long as you have competitive a GPA/MCAT combo and can articulate why the MD/PhD is good for you (and vice versa), you'll probably be OK.

-X

As long as you show the thought process of what you are doing I don't think it would matter. Adcoms want to see thought behind your research. A person can be a tech in a biomedical lab just doing what the PI tells them to, but I would think that you would be seen as a better candidate since you are the one putting thought behind the experiments

 

[Thundrstorm]

That sounds like a cool experience. If you also have some basic science research under your belt (like during a summer or two), you would probably fare even better. But take my opinion with a grain of salt; I'm just a current applicant myself. 🙂