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Medical Student Education

Medical Student Clerkships

Research Clerkships in Pathology

Pathology faculty sponsor short research rotations in the Clinical Years. Research projects include 1) clinical research, 2) basic research, 3) development and evaluation of educational resources for medical student courses.

Elective Clinical Clerkships

There are five clerkships offered: Surgical Pathology, Autopsy Pathology, Hematopathology, Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology.

Educational Opportunities in the Department of Pathology

Externships for Medical Students in Pathology

Each year we accept five-six medical students for a full year of clinical training in the department. Only one in five students participating in this program are interested in Pathology as a career, indicating their benefit to medical students in general. These externships can be taken after M2, M3 or even mid M4 year, and pay a stipend. Externs are also involved in teaching and may participate in research projects.

Research Opportunities 

Research opportunities available in Pathology include cancer biology, immunobiology, neurobiology, cardiovascular disease, cellular and molecular biology, and anti-infectives research. The entire spectrum of cutting edge research methodology is available in the department. We have recently added the emerging technology of laser capture microscopy, which can capture the nuclear material of single cells identified under the microscope.

MSTP Research Training

MSTP students may choose Pathology faculty as mentors. Although there is no PhD awarded in the discipline of in Pathology, most of the Pathology research faculty have an appointment in an interdisciplinary program or have a joint appointment in one of the basic science disciplines. Students working with Pathology faculty are awarded their degree in these disciplines.

Emory D. Warner Medical Student Research Fellows

Students spend a full year of research working with faculty. This fellowship can be taken any time after completion of the M1 year.

Summer Medical Student Research Fellowships

Pathology faculty sponsor summer fellowships for M1s, which are supported by the University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. Research projects include: 1) Development and evaluation of educational resources for medical student courses, 2) Clinical research, or 3) Basic research.