Students interested in participating in stimulating research projects have numerous choices available at DMU. The student research experience adds depth and breadth to classroom knowledge and provides a clear picture of how research affects the roles of health care professionals.

Students who have become involved in research experiences have had scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals, traveled to scientific meetings across the country to present their research abstracts and won prestigious national research awards, fellowships and scholarships. At the annual DMU Research Symposium in April, students have the opportunity to display poster presentations of their research projects.

Contributions from students are vital in helping move campus research forward. Research experiences can be tailored to fit students' needs, such as informal work with a researcher on an ongoing laboratory project, part-time work in a research laboratory or full-time summer research work. 

Student Research

Students may join faculty research programs as part of a 'for credit' course or as a paid or unpaid research student in ongoing research.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduate students in the DMU Summer 2008 Research Program will work with faculty researchers for an eight-week period, usually in June and July, on projects in microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry and physical therapy. The online application form for the Summer 2008 Undergraduate Research Program is due by 4:00 p.m. on March 3, 2008. Students receive a stipend of $8.00 per hour, but no housing is provided. Students are required to work up to 40 hours per week. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to Research@dmu.edu.

High School Research Apprentice Program

This program provides a work opportunity for outstanding high school students who want an introduction to biomedical research and to employment in that field. 

IOER Summer Research Scholarship

A valuable research opportunity for DMU students is the Iowa Osteopathic Educational and Research (IOER) Summer Research Scholarship Program. This annual competitive scholarship is awarded to four students in good academic standing who demonstrate a strong desire to conduct scientific research with a faculty mentor. Recipients of this award each receive a $5,000 tuition credit. A Call for Applications is posted online on the Student Portal in late December, and applications are due in early March. Student applicants are required to schedule meetings with faculty researchers participating in the summer research program and together develop a research project. Applications are evaluated by the University's Research and Grants Committee.

The IOER Summer Research Scholars work for eight weeks on projects in microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, biochemistry and human performance. During the summer, students within each laboratory meet weekly to discuss special research topics and are assigned to present a scientific paper. At the end of the summer, student and faculty researchers attend the DMU Student Research Forum featuring a nationally recognized speaker.

Friday Research Seminar Series

Faculty, staff and students are welcome to attend the DMU Friday Research Seminar Series of scientific presentations by DMU faculty researchers and outside investigators from various local institutions. For schedule information, please contact:

• Dr. Marie Nguyen, Assistant Professor of the Microbiology/Immunology Department at: (515) 271-1507 or Marie.Nguyen@dmu.edu.
• Dr. Samina Akbar, Assistant Professor of the Microbiology/Immunology Department at: (515) 271-1647 or Samina.Akbar@dmu.edu.