So you want to begin doing research at Geisel...GREAT! Here is a step-by-step guide to research success at Geisel.
- Stop by the medical student research office at Remsen 230. Introduce yourself to Dr. Han Tun, the medical student research program specialist .
- Complete the required research requirements (CITI Training – Office of Medical Student Research) and send your completed certificates to Dr. Tun at medical.student.research@dartmouth.edu
- Complete the research skills and interest survey (Research Interest & Skills Survey – Office of Medical Student Research) and send the results to Dr. Tun at medical.student.research@dartmouth.edu
- Once Dr. Tun has received these two completed forms, he will complete the Geisel student research repository form (Geisel Student Research Repository Form – Office of Medical Student Research) and email this back to you and also save a copy in your student research folder.
- When you have completed the required research requirements and research skills and interest survey, please review the opportunities section of the website to get a sense of the research projects and/or research specialty you are interested in pursuing
- Stop by the medical student research office and meet with Dr. Tun and together you can email the programs/faculty in the research area you are interested in pursuing
- The medical student research program will help to facilitate and connect you with a research faculty mentor
- Depending on the location of your research, the medical student research office can help you navigate the on boarding process for each research site. For example, if you are doing research at DH, you will need to complete the DH Access form (Geisel Student Research Requests) and enclose the Geisel Student research Repository Form.
Geisel Medical Student Departmental Research Process_FINAL.06Jan2026 (2)
Common Mistakes made by Geisel Students to Avoid
- Cold-emailing DH faculty with research interest - all contacts with faculty should be made with the help of the medical student research office. This is done to ensure that students get a response from faculty, requests for faculty involvement are distributed equitably, and individual departments protocols for medical student research are followed
- Not completing on Boarding requirements prior to beginning research - Students must complete the required research requirements and the research skills and interest form prior to being connected with research faculty. This is done to not delay students from performing research once they have been paired with a mentor. Also this is best done early in the M1 year because medical school just gets busier and busier...
- Not completing the proper on boarding requirements that pertain to their particular research site - for example Geisel and DH have different research requirements. Please contact the medical student research office for assistance.
- Not following through on research pairings - Make sure once you are paired with a research mentor, you follow through to complete the project
- Not asking the medical student research office for help - we are here to help and can save an inordinate amount of time, frustration and effort so please contact the office early with questions
A historical explanation of the Geisel/DH relationship - FYI Only
Historically, the research infrastructure between Geisel and DHMC was entwined by sharing grant support offices, the same IRB, and other research support services. In around 2017, DHMC split from Geisel to form its own IRB and research infrastructure. As a result, it became much harder for Geisel students to seamlessly start their research projects at DHMC, as they were no longer considered "research employees" at DHMC. The process then became very cumbersome for Geisel students to perform research at DHMC, requiring an extensive on boarding process for research that included application with employee health, the workforce readiness Institiute (WRI) and the office of general counsel among others.
In July 2023, a new clinical affiliation agreement was signed between Geisel and DHMC that specifically "paves the way" for a smooth research on boarding process for Geisel students to perform research at DHMC. Below is a snapshot from that agreement signed in July 2023 which highlights the relevant sections in regard to medical student research.
Therefore as of July 2023, Geisel students should only need to complete their readiness requirements via the Medical Student Research Office including CITI training, be added to the DHMC IRB, and obtain computer/HR access to perform research at DH.