Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors (ARC-MD)
The goal of the UC Davis School of Medicine Academic Research Careers for Medical Doctors (ARC-MD) program is to provide medical students with the foundational skills and professional development that promote a successful career as a physician scientist. The five-year program provides students with research and career mentorship, special experiences, a unique curriculum, and community engagement within a supportive longitudinal learning community.
Curriculum
ARC-MD is a five-year program for UC Davis medical students.
The traditional M.D. curriculum is adapted for research students enrolled in ARC-MD in order to provide an exciting student centered active learning environment that connects clinical care to research opportunities:
MS 1
- Entry to ARC-MD three week orientation, integration, and exploration
- Academic year includes participation in the longitudinal learning community, journal club and scholarly presentations.
- Summer research project focus between years 1 and 2
- ARC-MD specific doctoring lead by program faculty
MS 2
- Academic year includes participation in the longitudinal learning community, journal club and scholarly presentations and doctoring 2 led by ARC-MD faculty
- Presentation of research at the UCD SOM Medical Student Research Forum in March
- Submission of research findings for peer reviewed publication
MS 3
- Mentored research selective project (4 weeks)
- Submit research proposal for TL-1 funding (February)
- Research correlation with clinical rotations
Research Intensive Year
- Mentored research project with coursework in research principles
- Opportunity for Masters in Clinical Research (MAS)
MS 4
- The Scholarly Project/Special Study Module allows students to engage in focused learning on a topic of their choosing over the final 12-16 weeks of medical school
- Academic year includes participation in the longitudinal learning community, journal club and scholarly presentations.
ARC-MD Provides
- A mentorship community of key teaching faculty who are also physician researchers
- Research and community service opportunities
- Professional development opportunities and advising
- Scholarship support, contingent upon student’s continued participation in program activities
- A stipend to undertake a research intensive year in a UC Davis faculty laboratory between year 3 and 4
ARC-MD Student Obligations
- Commit 5 years to the program
- Engage in research activities as outlined in the curriculum
- Maintain good academic standing
- Advise ARC-MD faculty if your educational goals change
- Attend all regularly scheduled meetings, program workshops and functions
ARC-MD Team
Fred Meyers M.D., M.A.C.P.
Professor of Internal Medicine
Director ARC-MD
UC Davis School of Medicine
fjmeyers@ucdavis.edu
Saul Schaefer, M.D.
Director of Medical Student Research
UC Davis School of Medicine
Phone: (530) 752-0718
sschaefer@ucdavis.edu
Fernando Santana Ph.D.
Professor, Human Physiology
Co-Director ARC-MD
UC Davis School of Medicine
lfsantana@ucdavis.edu
Holly Ly
Program Coordinator
Office of Student Development
4610 X Street, Suite 2101A
Sacramento, CA 95817
Phone: 916-734-8494
Email: hhly@ucdavis.edu