Purdue hosts over 120 university-approved research centers and institutes, each developed to fill a particular need. Several large-scale interdisciplinary research centers are located in Purdue’s Discovery Park. Specialized instrumentation, equipment and facilities make up Purdue University’s research cores and are available for use by faculty and partner researchers. Research service cores in West Lafayette offer assistance to users with equipment, analysis and interpretation of data.
Student Research Programs
IU School of Medicine students at the West Lafayette campus can enrich their studies and training by participating in a variety of research opportunities on campus and throughout the community. Several students each summer choose to participate in paid research opportunities with award-winning Purdue researchers in areas such as drug discovery, cancer research and biomedical engineering. Summer Research Scholarships are awarded to IU School of Medicine students during the summer between the first and second year of study. Students can apply to receive financial support for conducting either bench or clinical research. Medical students in West Lafayette can also participate in IU School of Medicine student research programs at other campuses.
Scholarly Concentrations Program
The West Lafayette campus offers two scholarly concentrations to students on its campus.
Biomedical Engineering and Applied Medical Technology
The Biomedical Engineering and Applied Medical Technology Scholarly Concentration provides medical students — whether or not they have any engineering background — with a structured introduction to the design, evaluation, and ethical translation of medical technologies. In partnership with Purdue University’s Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, students work alongside engineering teams engaged in active device development and translational research. Through mentored scholarly projects, students investigate clinical needs, evaluate prototype technologies, analyze pathways for regulatory and clinical adoption or study the ethical implications of emerging medical innovations, among other opportunities. This concentration offers hands-on experience at the interface of engineering, medicine and research, preparing students to contribute to technology-driven improvements in patient care.
Care of Hispanic/Latino Patients
The Scholarly Concentration in Care of Hispanic/Latino Patients prepares students to provide culturally sensitive medical care to improve outcomes for the nation’s growing Hispanic and Latino population and to conduct research and scholarly work into the outcomes and challenges faced by this population. Additionally, students can improve Spanish-speaking fluency and practice using Spanish in clinical settings.