Head & Neck Surgery

Mentored Research Pathway - Medical Students

Medical Student Mentored Research Pathway

UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Medical Student Mentored Research Pathway

The UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery seeks to foster a culture in which issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion underscore our missions in delivering patient care, in training the next generation of leaders in otolaryngology - head and neck surgery, and in expanding our academic reach through the pursuit of leading edge research. The UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Medical Student Research Training Program provides an opportunity for two U.S. medical students to pursue full-time research training within the UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery for 9 months. Financial support is provided by an NIH-sponsored R25 Mentored Research Pathway for Otolaryngology Residents and Medical Students, through the National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders.

Students must demonstrate outstanding academic and personal achievements, have previous research experience, and have an interest in academic head and neck surgery. Students must be dedicated to fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare professions.  

Training Program Goals and Information:

  • To introduce medical students with diverse backgrounds and experiences to the UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Department.
  • To provide world class research training and mentorship to medical students who are interested in a career in academic Head and Neck Surgery.
  • To provide salary support enabling students who are committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in head and neck surgery to dedicate 9 months for this full-time experience.
  • To promote students’ exposure nationally to OtoHNS through presenting research at a national meeting.

Program activities:

  • Program dates are approximately August 15, 2025 through May 15, 2026. Some flexibility can accommodate home institution calendars.
  • Students will be matched with a faculty research mentor in their interest areas in the UCLA R25 Research Training Program, and with a clinician-scientist mentor for additional career guidance.
  • Research education will be provided through ongoing seminars within the R25 program, and through university-provided courses on Research Conduct and Ethics.
  • Students will also attend weekly educational sessions with the UCLA Head and Neck Surgery residents, for an outstanding and broad exposure to the clinical discipline. For more information about our residency training program >
  • Research focus areas are: Laryngeal Physiology and Voice Perception; Hearing and Vestibular Function; Head and Neck Cancer; Bioengineering and Bioinformatics.

Eligibility: 

  • All medical students in years 1-3 of medical school are eligible. Those with a commitment to research and efforts related to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in healthcare professions are encouraged to apply, in particular, those from groups underrepresented in medicine.
  • Applicants must be willing to take a leave from medical school to dedicate 9 months of full-time (40 hours/week) research training at the UCLA campus in Los Angeles, CA.
  • Applicants must be in good standing at an accredited U.S. Medical School at the time of application.

Competitive applicants will have demonstrated:

  • Academic achievement.
  • Previous research experience and commitment to a career as a physician-scientist.
  • Commitment to pursuing a career in academic Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery.
  • An interest and commitment to fostering activities related to healthcare diversity, health inequities, or serving underserved populations.
  • Additional consideration may be applied to applicants who meet NIH definitions of socioeconomic disadvantage.

Application Cycle:

  • Application cycle is now open.
  • Application deadline February 1, 2025 for programs starting in August of 2025.
  • Remote interview notification completed through April 2025.

Application Process:

  • Complete the UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Application when available. Please be prepared to submit a brief CV or resume through the application.
  • These materials will be reviewed by training program faculty members. A small number of applicants will be selected for a remote interview with the Program Director. Two applicants will be selected for participation.
  •  Please see the ‘Apply Today!’ button with updated Qualtrics link provided below.

Questions? 

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].

UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Mentored Research Pathway Application 

The UCLA Department of Head and Neck Surgery seeks to foster a culture in which issues of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion underscore our missions in delivering patient care, in training the next generation of leaders in Head and Neck Surgery, and in expanding our academic reach through the pursuit of leading edge research. The UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Mentored Research Pathway provides financial support for two U.S. medical students to conduct full-time research training at UCLA for 9 months. In addition to research and academic achievement, these students must demonstrate an interest in fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare professions, in advancing efforts to reduce healthcare inequities, and in the pursuit of social justice.  

APPLY TODAY!

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  • First and Last Name
  • Email Address
  • Medical School
  • Year in Medical School
  • Do you self-identify as being Underrepresented in Medicine (African American, Latinx, Native American, Native Hawaiian, or mainland Puerto Rican), have a disability, or qualify as having socioeconomically disadvantaged background according to the NIH?  
  • Yes
  • No
  • Decline to State

Please briefly describe your academic and personal achievements including barriers overcome (300 words or less).

Please describe your previous research experience and research interests (500 words or less).

Please describe your rationale for interest in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, a career in academic medicine, and this UCLA training program (300 words or less).

Please describe your previous experience or interest related to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare professions, in reducing healthcare inequities, and in the pursuit of social justice (300 words or less).