Applications for the 2025 Harrison Scholars Program will open on December 15, 2024 and close on February 28, 2025. This is a competitive program designed to provide research experience for post-baccalaureate students interested in pursuing an academic career in medicine. This one-year program introduces the Harrison Scholars to many aspects of clinical surgical research and may sometimes provide an opportunity to get involved in basic science research. Harrison Scholars work closely with an individual surgeon or a surgical research team on current and new research investigations. Activities include collecting clinical data to populate databases, performing literature searches in support of research initiatives, analyzing data, and assisting in the preparation of research findings for posters, abstracts and manuscripts. Students will learn about regulatory requirements associated with clinical research including submissions to the Institutional Review Board (IRB), screening and eligibility criteria requirements.
The Harrison Scholar is expected to complete at least one independent project that is developed in collaboration with the faculty mentor and submitted for presentation at a national meeting. The participant will be encouraged to assist or take the lead in writing a manuscript of his/her research project.
Previous Harrison/Measey Scholars are currently at:
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Columbia Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Harvard Medical School
- Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
- Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
- Perelman School of Medicine – University of Pennsylvania (MD, MD/PhD)
- Sidney Kimmel Medical College - Thomas Jefferson University
- Stanford University School of Medicine
Harrison Scholars are doing research in the Divisions of Cardiovascular Surgery, Plastics, Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Transplant Surgery, and Gastrointestinal Surgery.
Scholar positions will typically start July 1 and run through June 30. Harrison Scholars are paid University of Pennsylvania employees.
Applications for July 2025 – June 2026 will be accepted starting December 15, 2024 and end on February 28, 2025. Applicants should send a current resume/CV and two letters of recommendation to Steve Mervis after submitting their application. Letters of recommendation can be submitted by the applicant or the individual writing the letter of recommendation.
Please contact Steve Mervis at Steve.Mervis@pennmedicine.upenn.edu with any questions regarding the program and application process.