Research question

[kmh22]

Hi everyone

I'm new to this forum, so hello all! I'm taking a year off to do research, and I'm looking for some advice on programs, departments that have exciting/interesting projects, and also a question: would it hurt my application if I didn't do research in derm?

Thanks -- all advice welcome

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[Florian]

You might want to attend some conferences such as the annual meetings of http://www.sidnet.org/ and http://www.aad.org/default.htm in order to meet 100+ program directors and chairmen in person. This would allow you to pick a mentor who truly cares about you.

Top notch research is performed by Robert Modlin, UCLA http://www.healthcare.ucla.edu/institution/physician?personnel_id=8867 and Jouni Uitto, Jefferson http://www.jefferson.edu/dermatology/faculty_profile.cfm?key=jxu102 In any case, joining one of those labs would only make sense if you would really click with the PI.

You might want to do your research year (better would be two years) right after the internship. This way, you would have some time finding the right mentor (nothing is actually more important). In addition, you would be able to be involved in clinical trials (biopsies etc).

If you are not genuinely interested in research and also a known entity in a couple of derm departments, you might not need to waste your time with lab projects. Keep in mind though that everything can change. I am a foreign graduate who came to the US in order to learn research without being overly excited about it initially. In the meantime, I totally love lab work. Have decided to stay and am currently redoing my residency. Conclusion: Only the actual exposure might tell you how you will feel about lab work.