History and Purpose of the Medical Student Research Institute (MSRI)

Why do research?

MSRI FAQ

Recognizing that research is an integral part of a university, the School of Medicine of St. George's University established the Medical Student Research Institute (MSRI) in 2009 to encourage, support, facilitate and centralize medical student research during the four years of a student's medical education.  By offering exceptional students the opportunity to work on faculty-mentored research projects, the MSRI aims to:

a) Advance the research arm of the medical school's mission and outcome objectives, while

     simultaneously

b) Enhancing student development and competitiveness for residency programs.

The MSRI offers medical students who have demonstrated academic excellence (minimum WMPG of 85.00%, no exceptions) to become involved in research. Graduation with research distinction is offered for students who have a minimum WMPG of 85.00% and two or more peer reviewed publications at the time of graduation.

All St. George's University faculty members are encouraged to participate, and mentor medical students in their research and scholarly activities. 

The goals of the MSRI are to:

• Advance the mission of the SGU medical school which views research as an integral part of medical education and health care.
• Facilitate collaboration between medical students and faculty members in the conduct of clinical and basic science research. This includes instruction in the scientific method (hands-on or simulated exercises,  test/ verify hypotheses or biological/medical questions, as well as ethics, clinical and translational research applied to patient care
• Centralize all basic science and clinical research under a single institution to allow sharing of resources between the multiple clinical sites and the medical school.
• Promote and track the scholarly activity of students and faculty of SGU.
• Provide online resources to assist students and faculty in their efforts to publish scholarly research.
• Offer the exceptional medical student the opportunity to begin a four-year clinical journey that will culminate in the conveying of a Doctor of Medicine degree with Distinction in Research.

Each student participant works with a faculty mentor with special expertise who has been matched, as closely as possible, to the student's research interests and career goals. Students either assist the faculty member in an ongoing research project or work collaboratively with the mentor in designing a new project of mutual interest.

The intensive nature of the program requires a large-time commitment from the participants, but the time commitment is up to the students. Participants are required to attend all scheduled events and activities related to the program. Students must be present the entire length of the program. 

Contact information

MSRI is divided into Basic Sciences and Clinical Years. For information on the respective programs please contact the persons below:    

Ian Murray, Ph.D.            Grenada         MSRI Basic Science Director             IMurray@sgu.edu

James Coey, M.D.            UK-KBT         MSRI-KBT Basic Science Director             JCoey@@sgu.edu

Beryl De Souza. M.D      UK                 MSRI Clinical Director                          msriuk@sgu.edu

US Clinicals: contact Hospital Research Co-ordinators, or Faculty  active in research

Program Duration

Basic Sciences MSRI, Terms 2 through 5:

Students are only accepted into the MSRI during Term 2 of Basic Sciences. Students are asked to concentrate on projects in Term 2, Term 3, and Term 5. Due to the intense course-load that exists in Term 4, students are not expected to participate in research during this time.

Student Eligibility

MSRI participation (Basic Sciences Years)

Students are only accepted into the MSRI-Grenada during Term 2 of Basic Sciences .

Students who have a minimum WMPG of 85.00% in  BPM 1 are eligible to apply.

Students must maintain a minimum WMPG of 85% to remain in MSRI.

Application and MSRI matching process