Ochsner Student Research Hub

UQ-Ochsner students have a unique opportunity to take advantage of the rich research environment at both The University of Queensland (UQ) and the Ochsner Clinical School (OCS) in New Orleans.

The Ochsner Student Research Hub is designed to allow Ochsner students in Phase 1 to connect with OCS research supervisors to help identify an area of interest or a project that can be ready to start when you arrive in New Orleans for Phase 2.

Please remember your priorities: While you are encouraged to pursue research during your medical program, the priorities in MD Years 1 and 2 must be about preparation for the USMLE Step One and maintaining successful progression in the MD Program.

This Hub is meant to give you a head start on getting involved in one of many research opportunities available during MD Years 3 and 4 at the OCS in New Orleans.

In order for you to make the most efficient and informed choices regarding your research options, please read FAQs below specifically for UQ-Ochsner students interested in research.

View FAQs

Find a project

See what projects are available at Ochsner Clinical School.

For Phase 1 Ochsner Students

UQ Ochsner students in Brisbane for Phase 1 of the MD are encouraged to explore research opportunities, while also being aware of your USMLE and MD priorities. Nevertheless, now is a good time to identify a research interest and find a supervisor and project at Ochsner Health in New Orleans.

The ‘Find a Project’ link here in the Ochsner Hub page lists several Ochsner researchers and their projects. Feel free to make contact with these potential supervisors, and perhaps establish a relationship around mutual research interests. You might even organise a project that you can begin in Phase 2 when you get to the Ochsner Clinical School in New Orleans.

Alternatively, the ‘Find a Project’ page on the Student Research Portal has many researchers with student projects across UQ. Projects that are flexible and not time critical would be suitable to be involved in and can be done in your spare time.

Please remember, if you wish to undertake an extra-curricular/voluntary research project while here is Brisbane, you must follow the steps detailed on the Portal under “For Students”.

Please also note: Extracurricular research is not allowed in Year 1. Various research activities throughout Year 1 are designed to help you decide your research pathway in Year 2.

For Phase 2 Ochsner Students

UQ Ochsner students in New Orleans for Phase 2 of the MD have several opportunities to do research at the Ochsner Clinical School. If you have not already organised a project with a researcher, you might look through the “Find a Project” link on the Ochsner Hub or make contact through meeting clinicians on your clinical placements.

Regardless of how you find a research project, you must follow the steps on the OMSA Guide for Phase 2 Research and the OMSA Research Checklist and FAQ.

UQ-Ochsner Clinician Scientist Track

The Clinician Scientist Track (CST) represents a program of study that allows eligible students to incorporate a Higher Degree by Research (HDR), either a PhD or an *MPhil integrated with the MD degree. The MD-PhD and the MD-MPhil are offered as an intercalated model; meaning you interrupt your MD degree to do full time PhD or MPhil research, then return to finish your MD and graduate with an MD-PhD or MD-MPhil.

*The MPhil Degree is equivalent to the Research Master’s Degree (MSc).

Intercalated MD-PhD – requires three years out of the MD
Intercalated MD-MPhil – requires one year out of the MD

Please refer to the specific timelines for Ochsner students (PDF, 253.4 KB).

Medical students must be approved to apply for the MPhil or PhD. Please read carefully the eligibility criteria for the MD-PhD and MD-MPhil programs.

If you feel you are eligible, or need more information, contact the Director of MD Research Prof Di Eley d.eley@uq.edu.au

Meet our Clinician Scientist students.

UQ-Ochsner MD-PhD Scholarship

If you are interested in combining a PhD with a medical degree, the UQ-Ochsner MD-PhD Scholarship is specifically for eligible enrolled UQ-Ochsner MD students. Please see details of the UQ-Ochsner MD-PhD Scholarship on the Ochsner MD Program website.

Ochsner research highlights

Medical Student, Research Fellow and Mentor of the Year Awardees

20th Annual Ochsner Health Research Day
May 23 & 25, 2023

Student research highlights

Congratulations to Michael Mullen, Year 2 Ochsner student who won the ANZAHPE Student Prize for his extended abstract entitled “Coping Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Self-Stigma of Help Seeking Inhibition Among Male and Female Medical Students” which he will present at the annual conference of the Australia and New Zealand Association for Health Professions Education (ANZAHPE) 26-29^th June 2023.

Congratulations to Year 2 Ochsner students Michael Mullen and Dhaval Patel who have had their research accepted to present at the ANZAHPE annual conference in June 2023. The Australia and New Zealand Association for Health Professions Education (ANZAHPE) is the premier medical education association in Australia and New Zealand. The ANZAHPE conference is being held on the Gold Coast from the 26th – 29th June.

Michael’s talk is entitled “Coping Self-Efficacy, Social Support, and Self-Stigma of Help Seeking Inhibition Among Male and Female Medical Students”.

Dhaval’s talk is entitled “Exploring Well-Being Through the Lens of Coping Self-Efficacy and Calling in Medical Students”.

Ochsner 2023 Post Doctoral Research Fellows