Medical Student Research Fellowship
The Mayo Clinic Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery's Medical Student Research Fellowship is a 12-month paid research fellowship for medical students interested in a career in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery. The fellowship aims to improve participants' residency application competitiveness through dedicated research experience, clinical and operative exposure, access to mentorship, and career development.
The program usually starts in June, with exact timing dependent on each student's home program requirements. It ends in May of the following year.
The goal for each fellow is to complete and submit five manuscripts, with at least one as first author. Such publication is a critical metric for residency applications. Before the end of the program, department faculty members provide feedback on residency application materials such as CVs and personal statements. Fellows participate in mock interviews with faculty members to prepare to successfully apply for residency.
The fellowship includes a weeklong intensive research boot camp. In addition, fellows can complete a monthlong clinical research "Sub-I" experience to gain exposure in the operating room and clinical setting. Fellows attend all general didactic sessions as well as research-specific didactics — for example, craniofacial conference and otology journal club. Fellows have opportunities to present their work at departmental Research Grand Rounds and at the year-end Resident Research Day. The program provides funding to support attendance at up to two regional or national conferences where fellows can present their work and gain networking and research insights. Additionally, a Mayo Clinic photographer provides each fellow with professional headshots.
Preparation for success
Mayo Clinic's Medical Student Research Fellowship in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery is distinguished by careful attention to key elements of career development, including a strong focus on the creation of a highly competitive residency application. Faculty and resident mentors are incredibly committed and successful in creating projects that fellows can support or drive, resulting in tangible representation of their work through presentations, abstract submissions and publications that strengthen fellows' CVs. Alumni achieve highly competitive applications. Moreover, they gain the critical thinking skills, academic rigor and confidence to be exceptional residents and future otolaryngologists.
Mentorship
Each fellow is paired with a primary faculty research mentor and primary resident or fellow mentor and meets weekly with the faculty research mentor. The program also connects fellows with nonacademic mentors who provide additional support as fellows navigate professional and academic career pathways.
Community engagement
The Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery strives to engage fellows in the departmental community and the larger communities at Mayo Clinic and in Rochester, Minnesota. This includes but is not limited to:
- Mentoring undergraduate research students in the department's summer research program.
- Mentoring high school students through the Mayo Clinic Health Career Collaborative, which partners with Rochester Math and Science Academy.
- Participating in the department's community outreach clinic, which serves a predominantly uninsured and underinsured population.
- Participating in head and neck cancer screening health fairs.
Availability and funding
Mayo Clinic's Department of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery offers two full-time, paid fellowship positions. Each position includes:
- Salary.
- Benefits.
- Relocation stipend.
- Funding to attend and present at up to two regional and national conferences.
The department offers up to two additional unpaid positions for applicants who have commensurate independent funding, such as from a home institution or grant, for up to one academic year, with a rolling application process.
Eligibility
Eligibility criteria for the Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery Medical Student Research Fellowship are as follows.
- Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school or have graduated within one year before the program start date. Preference given to those in their second or third year of medical school. Applicants are asked to provide documentation from their medical school confirming their ability to participate before starting the program.
- Applicants must be interested in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery as a career.
- All students are encouraged to apply, including those with limited financial means or who are from programs without sufficient resources to foster the scholarly productivity needed to become a competitive applicant for otolaryngology.
- Applicants must be permanent U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. This appointment does not provide visa sponsorship, including F-1, F-1 OPT or F-1 OPT STEM extension.
- Applicants must be willing to commit to a one-year research fellowship.
- Applicants must complete background checks and screens before the program start date.
- Each applicant must complete a postoffer placement assessment at least 10 business days before the program start date. This may require arrival in Rochester, Minnesota, before the start date.
Application checklist
To apply, provide the following:
- Personal statement. Include a one-page statement introducing yourself and sharing why you would like to pursue this research fellowship.
- Resume or CV.
- Three letters of recommendation. These do not need to be from otolaryngologists. But they should be from physicians, scientists, or educators or professors who know you.
- Current medical school transcript. This can be an unofficial transcript.
Alumni
2024-2025
- Daniel G. Eyassu
- Cecelia M. Hidalgo
2023-2024
- Gabriela Calcano
- Gabriel Hernandez-Herrera
2022-2023
- Felicia O. Olawuni
- George B. Sankar
2021-2022