Feasibility of doing basic research at WashU SL as a DO?

[AlteredScale]

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I've been using the NIH rePORT tool to find currently NIH funded projects in basic sciences related to mucosal immunology near where I'm going (KCU) and there's not a lot going in this area specifically with KCUMB nor UMKC nor KUMC....but WashU has a very strong area devoted to this.

I spoke with a washU grad and he said that it may not be possible for a DO student to do research there..but I find that hard to believe.

Opinions? Anyone know of any DO students doing research at WashU?

Should I just email the PI's regarding my previous work and what not?

Thanks ahead!

 

[s5260205]

That WashU grad doesn't know what he is talking about. As long as the PI wants you, there is nothing stopping you to do research there (unless there is an explicit rule at WashU barring anyone outside of the institution to work there, though I don't think that's the case). I would imagine most PIs are very receptive to students, especially those who have very high interests in their field.

 

[burritowithgreensauce]

Shoot them an email. What's the worst that could happen.

 

[Mehd School]

Shoot them an email. What's the worst that could happen.

They have KCU revoke his acceptance.


But seriously just email them OP.

 

[meliora27]

You have nothing to lose by reaching out to the PI. Do any of your current mentors/colleagues have a contact at Wash U? That would probably be a good jumping off point.

 

[AlteredScale]

You have nothing to lose by reaching out to the PI. Do any of your current mentors/colleagues have a contact at Wash U? That would probably be a good jumping off point.

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I believe my prior PI does have contacts here...I can't remember if it was there or Case Western.

Thing is I had a somewhat of a falling out with my prior PI and I don't think I left on great terms sooo idk if that contact is usable.

 

[DopaDO]

I have connections with people at Wash U and have a good friend/classmate who did research there. Totally doable as a DO.

 

[JimmyB123]

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I believe my prior PI does have contacts here...I can't remember if it was there or Case Western.

Thing is I had a somewhat of a falling out with my prior PI and I don't think I left on great terms sooo idk if that contact is usable.

What happened with the falling out?

One of my old PIs did her postdoctoral at WashU. I wish I was going to school in Missouri so that I actually had access to a big name academic institution. I basically have no connections at the big name places in Illinois (where I'll be going to school). I intend on just cold calling. Usually if you have interest and they have an opening, things fall through. Good luck with the basic sciences route though! It's a tough one...

Edit: you could always try going back to UCSD for research in the summers (or take a research gap year); its not like WashU is conveniently close to KCU anyways haha

 

[AlteredScale]

What happened with the falling out?

One of my old PIs did her postdoctoral at WashU. I wish I was going to school in Missouri so that I actually had access to a big name academic institution. I basically have no connections at the big name places in Illinois (where I'll be going to school). I intend on just cold calling. Usually if you have interest and they have an opening, things fall through. Good luck with the basic sciences route though! It's a tough one...

Edit: you could always try going back to UCSD for research in the summers (or take a research gap year); its not like WashU is conveniently close to KCU anyways haha

PM me regarding the specifics. Wasn't anything too crazy. There's no big name places in Illinois? Is ccom far away from everything else? How far are places like Feinberg and UofChicago

It's INSANE how much grant money WashU pulls in.

I can't do summer research because the new curriculum at KCU only gives for one month off. Most research fellowships are minimum 8 weeks so a research gap year will probably be necessary. Just can't decide if I should do it between year two and three or year three and four.

Yeah I'm going to give it a shot. Basic science is tough but it's exciting to me, especially anything to deal with IHC, histo, or flow. Pretty colors everywhere 😀

 

[JimmyB123]

PM me regarding the specifics. Wasn't anything too crazy. There's no big name places in Illinois? Is ccom far away from everything else? How far are places like Feinberg and UofChicago

It's INSANE how much grant money WashU pulls in.

I can't do summer research because the new curriculum at KCU only gives for one month off. Most research fellowships are minimum 8 weeks so a research gap year will probably be necessary. Just can't decide if I should do it between year two and three or year three and four.

Yeah I'm going to give it a shot. Basic science is tough but it's exciting to me, especially anything to deal with IHC, histo, or flow. Pretty colors everywhere 😀

My vote is between years 2 and 3 so that you don't lose any of your clinical acumen going into year 4 for your away rotations/sub-Is

 

[koan]

Some schools will allow you to use elective blocks in 3rd year for research. I front loaded all 8 weeks of elective time for this purpose and did a research fellowship immediately after taking step 1, then proceeded to clinical rotations without the need for a gap year.

Also, I know of no research institutions that wouldn't allow a DO student to visit as a research assistant. I've done so at both of the top 2 schools by NIH funding.

 

[RadsonRads]

Nobody is going to prohibit you from doing research because you are a DO student. That is ludicrous. These guys are chomping at the bit for any med student to help them most of the time.

source: Have been involved in a few projects at big name institutions. zero fux given

 

[AlteredScale]

Some schools will allow you to use elective blocks in 3rd year for research. I front loaded all 8 weeks of elective time for this purpose and did a research fellowship immediately after taking step 1, then proceeded to clinical rotations without the need for a gap year.

Also, I know of no research institutions that wouldn't allow a DO student to visit as a research assistant. I've done so at both of the top 2 schools by NIH funding.

Thank you for the advice!

The issue here is the KCU only allots 1 month between M1 and M2, so there's really no way for me to do a research fellowship. All the ones I want to do for the CCFA all require 8 weeks.

 

[Goro]

Just an example, a student of mine has done research at UCSD....another at a major West Coast biotech company.

That WashU grad doesn't know what he is talking about. As long as the PI wants you, there is nothing stopping you to do research there (unless there is an explicit rule at WashU barring anyone outside of the institution to work there, though I don't think that's the case). I would imagine most PIs are very receptive to students, especially those who have very high interests in their field.

 

[Stlblues17]

As a StL native I am upset that WUSTL doesn't accept DO students for elective rotations according to VSAS and their website 🙁. If your able to get in on research there, that would be an awesome opportunity.

 

[JimmyB123]

As a StL native I am upset that WUSTL doesn't accept DO students for elective rotations according to VSAS and their website 🙁. If your able to get in on research there, that would be an awesome opportunity.

They are literally one of the very few. Them, NYU, Yale, and Vanderbilt are the only ones I know of. But basically impossible to match those places as a DO anyways so it doesn't really matter 🙂

 

[Stlblues17]

They are literally one of the very few. Them, NYU, Yale, and Vanderbilt are the only ones I know of. But basically impossible to match those places as a DO anyways so it doesn't really matter 🙂

True that. I have however have seen WUSTL have anes/psych/PM&R DO residents. According to their websites. But outside of that they don't want DO students, this I do not know why. Other than good old fashion anti DO discrimination.

I looked at U Colorado- Denver VSAS they take DO students but they charge a $4000 "administrative fee", on top of their $150 elective fee they charge, that ONLY applies to DO students.

 

[DrEnderW]

@AlteredScale this doesn't directly answer your question, but I do research at a program that has never (and probably never will) take a DO and is generally considered #1 in the US for that specialty as both a hospital and residency program. There are zero DOs on staff in the entire hospital in any specialty. The point is, you can't get more prestigious/ivory tower/anti-DO than this place.

With that said, everyone has been great to me as a medical student doing research and it was not a barrier in any way. It is pretty clear that I would have zero chance of ever training there in the future, however. I would be willing to bet that WashU student is full of ****.

 

[AlteredScale]

Thanks for the advice @DrEnderW ! That's pretty awesome that you are doing research at this top-tier program. Hopefully your project goes to where you need it to go.

 

[Stlblues17]

@AlteredScale I would be willing to bet that WashU student is full of ****.

I know many of folk that I that went to WashU, being full of it seems to be a requirement for admission. At least the ones I went to school with.

 

[moonwake]

Thanks for the advice @DrEnderW ! That's pretty awesome that you are doing research at this top-tier program. Hopefully your project goes to where you need it to go.

Research rotation maybe? KCOM only has 6 weeks inbetween and they require a 2 week internship so really it's only 4 weeks. I'm considering maybe doing a research rotation. I think it's becoming harder and harder to get something done in between MS1 and MS2

 

[AlteredScale]

Research rotation maybe? KCOM only has 6 weeks inbetween and they require a 2 week internship so really it's only 4 weeks. I'm considering maybe doing a research rotation. I think it's becoming harder and harder to get something done in between MS1 and MS2

Hmm that might woke too. I have to see if a research rotation is available. Thanks for the tip!

 

[meliora27]

Hmm that might woke too. I have to see if a research rotation is available. Thanks for the tip!

Not sure about third year, but KCU(MB) currently allows research electives during fourth year. I think you have to apply with 60 days notice, provide some description of the project, stuff like that. But they allow it.

 

[FutureDO2016]

I did research at Northwestern. You can do research anywhere provided your hard working and work well with others. Most labs don't care if you are a future MD or DO.

 

[SeemsCool2Me]

I've been using the NIH rePORT tool to find currently NIH funded projects in basic sciences related to mucosal immunology near where I'm going (KCU) and there's not a lot going in this area specifically with KCUMB nor UMKC nor KUMC....but WashU has a very strong area devoted to this.

I spoke with a washU grad and he said that it may not be possible for a DO student to do research there..but I find that hard to believe.

Opinions? Anyone know of any DO students doing research at WashU?

Should I just email the PI's regarding my previous work and what not?

Thanks ahead!

I'm graduating from KCU this year and did research at WashU between 1st and 2nd year, so I can tell you from experience that it's possible.

 

[AlteredScale]

I'm graduating from KCU this year and did research at WashU between 1st and 2nd year, so I can tell you from experience that it's possible.

Hey thanks! Work with any immunologists?

@SeemsCool2Me also the new curriculum only allows for a 1 month break between M1 and M2, should I still go for it?

 

[SeemsCool2Me]

No, I worked with the ENT department, so my exposure was pretty limited to that area. If they're fine with one month then I'd say go for it. The school is well known for their research so it'd be difficult to find a better school to collaborate with.