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Medical Students & Research

The John A. Burns School of Medicine (JABSOM) strongly encourages medical students to become involved in research.

doctor matsui working with students in lab

Our team in the Office of the Associate Dean for Research is committed to helping medical students develop meaningful and productive research experiences with engaged and effective faculty mentors. Medical research is now performed in a variety of settings (hospital environments, laboratories, community sites, etc.) and approached through multiple different scholarly lenses including basic science, clinical/translational research, design, digital health/AI, health policy and advocacy, humanities, medical education, population health, and quality improvement. We encourage our students to explore the numerous biomedical research programs available at JABSOM and participate in the quality research experiences matching their individual passions.

Our faculty believe strongly that medical student participation in research enhances the development of responsible physicians capable of navigating a dynamic/evolving field. While conducting medical research requires a commitment of time and energy, it is a rewarding investment in personal and professional growth. Engaging in research promotes:

  1. Critical Thinking: Data evaluation skills and evidence-based decision making
  2. Scientific Understanding: Knowledge of the scientific method and how medical advancements occur
  3. Exposure to Current Practice Issues: Familiarity with contemporary challenges in medicine, emerging diseases, treatment protocols, and public health concerns
  4. Skills Development: Data collection, statistical analysis, and scientific writing
  5. Networking Opportunities: Relationships with faculty, researchers, and peers
  6. Contribution to the Field: Make meaningful advancements for clinical care and public health
  7. Residency Applications: Strengthen candidacy by showing a proactive commitment to the field
  8. Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Communication and teamwork across disciplines
  9. Personal Growth: working on complex problems and through setbacks can enhance resiliency and adaptability
  10. Lifelong Learning: habit of continuous learning and curiosity, essential traits for any successful physician

Research enriches the educational experience for a deeper understanding of biology and the disease process, prepares medical students with a sophisticated understanding of the current literature for evidence-based clinical practice, and offers students an opportunity to contribute to and advance the medical field. More than 90% of our medical students participate in research while at JABSOM and have a track record of demonstrating scientific impact through conference presentations and publications.

We invite you to become more actively involved in research at JABSOM:

Dr. Kristy M. Shine is Director of Medical Student Research in the Office of the Associate Dean for Research at the John A. Burns School of Medicine and Director of Clinical Faculty Research Development at the University Health Partners of Hawaii. She is an Associate Professor in the Office of Medical Education at JABSOM and an Emergency Medicine Physician with the Emergency Group, Inc. at the Queen’s Medical Center.  Dr. Shine’s goal is to support medical student engagement in research such that students have opportunities to learn how to critically review existing research, confidently identify and approach gaps/challenges in our understanding of health, skillfully create new medical knowledge, and thoughtfully disseminate their findings to inform future clinical practice.

Kristy Shine, MD, PhD
Kristy M. Shine, MD, PhD
Medical Student Research Director
Email: kshine@hawaii.edu