Medical Student Program
The UC Davis Eye Center is dedicated to providing outstanding instruction in both clinical ophthalmology and research to medical students.
We offer medical students the opportunity to work with highly skilled clinicians and surgeons, who are at the forefront of groundbreaking work in Ophthalmology.
2025 J. William Kohl, M.D. Summer Research Scholarship for Medical Students
The Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science at UC Davis is pleased to announce the J. William Kohl Summer Scholarship for medical students. This opportunity provides a stipend of $2,500 for at least eight medical students undertaking mentored research in the vision sciences. Additionally, this scholarship also includes a $1,200 travel grant, which is intended to defray the cost of presenting your research at a national ophthalmology conference.
Eligibility Requirements
- Currently enrolled in an accredited U.S. medical school
- Interested in pursuing a career in ophthalmology
- Students currently working on ongoing research with a UC Davis faculty member may apply for funding through the Kohl scholarship only if they are not receiving funding through other sources during the summer quarter
- Prior recipients of the Kohl Summer Research Scholarship are NOT eligible to receive the scholarship again
Non-UC Davis medical students: Medical students outside of UC Davis will coordinate with UC Davis staff to determine the manner in which scholarship funds may be received by you or your institution. It is the responsibility of the student to secure housing and all necessary transportation needed for the summer.
2025 Kohl Summer Research Application (PDF)
Kohl Scholars Research Symposium
In fall 2025, scholars will present their research at an evening research symposium at UC Davis Eye Center. Those students participating from other institutions may present virtually.
Scholarship Application Timeline
- Application deadline: March 15, 2025
- Submit all application items (see page 2) to ucdkohlscholars@gmail.com
- Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis. It is recommended to submit your application as early as possible.
URM Visiting Student Scholarship Opportunities
Our elective rotations for third and fourth year students are:
Introduction to Ophthalmology
A two-week rotation -- Course includes a foundation in ocular disease diagnosis, medical and surgical management relevant to the clinical practice of medicine in all specialties, including students who will enter the fields of family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and emergency medicine.
Advanced Subspecialty Ophthalmology
A four-week rotation -- Prerequisite is that students should have met the surgical specialty clerkship requirements for fourth year students. This rotation provides more in-depth exposure to the practice of both comprehensive and subspecialties of ophthalmology in a tertiary care center, including neuro-ophthalmology, pediatric ophthalmology, diseases of the cornea, glaucoma, oculoplastics, uveitis (inflammatory diseases of the eye), and retina. This rotation is open to all students and is also recommended for students planning to enter the field of ophthalmology.
Ophthalmology Research
Research in Ophthalmology -- Course duration will be determined. This rotation is 100% research, and must have the consent of the instructor. The rotation consists of individual research on selected topics in optics, visual psychophysics, clinical ophthalmology, or basic research relevant to ophthalmology. This rotation is open to all students and is also recommended to students planning to enter the field of ophthalmology.
Orientation begins at the beginning of every two weeks. To enroll please contact Ms. VaShon Elmer at vashon.elmer@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu.
