SOAR - Student Opportunities for Advancement in Research

Medical student Adel Hassan and Dr. Nandan Mondal share their experience as a student-mentor team who found their project in the SOAR Database. Hassan conducts scientific research in Dr. Mondal’s lab and was awarded the SOAR Travel Award to present their research findings at a conference.

SOAR Office

The Office of Student Opportunities for Advancement in Research (SOAR) educates and supports BCM medical students in pursuing research opportunities. The SOAR database helps faculty and students find matching research projects and provides guidance on the necessary steps before starting research activities, including the NICER Authorization for Research Activities Form. We offer a comprehensive catalog for medical students interested in participating in Scientific Conferences and Publications, as well as learning from the Student Research Educational Resources. Additionally, SOAR Travel Awards are available to support student research presentations at scientific and medical conferences. Medical students can schedule one-on-one research advising sessions with the SOAR Director by emailing the SOAR office.

SOAR Database

The searchable SOAR database enables medical students to identify projects in their area of interest and to connect with faculty willing to serve as research mentors. Projects include basic, translational, clinical, health services, medical education, quality improvement/patient safety, and community medicine research.

Students: Learn how to search the database for specific terms or filter it by department, type of research, or keywords. You can also generate alerts for future projects that match your interests. Once you identify a project, reach out to the person listed as the project contact to discuss expectations and interest in the project. After you and the faculty member agree to work together, the medical student must complete the NICER Authorization for Research Activities Form. If you cannot find a project that meets your needs or interests, you may search the VIICTR profiles website, or email the SOAR Director, Mabel Perez-Oquendo, Ph.D. (SOARoffice@bcm.edu).

BCM Faculty: Learn how to list projects in SOAR or add your name as a potential research mentor here. It takes five minutes to submit project or mentor information. A staff member in your group can submit projects on your behalf using the SOAR Project Submission Form. The projects will be reviewed by the SOAR office before they are made public. After identifying a student, please guide them to specific training resources associated with your research (safety training, IRB, etc.). Email the SOAR Director, Mabel Perez-Oquendo, Ph.D. (SOARoffice@bcm.edu) for assistance.

Travel Awards and Presentation Opportunities

Presenting your research progress to others is an integral part of the scientific process. BCM medical students are encouraged to present a 7-minute talk about their research progress during the Medical Student Research Presentation Monthly Session. Sign up as a student presenter to showcase your work, receive valuable feedback from faculty, residents, and fellows, and enhance your presentation skills. Learn how to find opportunities to present and publish your work and obtain funding for your travel.

Student Research Educational Resources

The SOAR office provides a variety of in-person and online resources aimed at helping medical students develop their research skills. Visit the Student Research Educational Resources page to access an on-demand library featuring BCM experts on topics such as:

Strategic Planning for Research and Professional Opportunities: Building Confidence in Identifying Self-assessment Resources, Recognizing Current and Needed Strengths, and Effectively Applying SOAR Resources.
Research Knowledge and Skills: Strong Research Question, Rationale of the Study, Research Literature, Hypothesis, and Statistical Approaches.
Scholarly Writing and Research Dissemination: Writing Abstracts, Research Poster, Presenting through Digital Platforms, Peer Reviewed Publications, and Research Papers.
IRB and Case Reports: Informed Consent, Survey Design, and Case Report
Tools for Research Development: JoVE, All of Us Research Program, and Quality Improvement Project Registry

Research Advising Session

Research advising sessions offer personalized guidance for BCM medical students to identify and engage in research activities. These 30-minute, one-on-one sessions with the SOAR Director cover topics such as using SOAR resources, finding a research mentor, discovering new research opportunities, and evaluating short- or long-term research commitments. To schedule a session, email the SOAR Director, Mabel Perez-Oquendo, Ph.D., at SOARoffice@bcm.edu.

SOAR Newsletter

The SOAR Newsletter is designed and managed by medical students with one goal in mind: making science accessible and engaging while also providing students with a creative outlet. We aim to offer a wide array of informative content—from research events and groundbreaking discoveries to student spotlights and practical research advice.

We envision the newsletter as a platform to showcase the stories and achievements of our fellow BCM students in academic research and beyond. In each issue, we aspire to bring you insightful content, thought-provoking perspectives, and updates that truly matter. We are committed to fostering a sense of community, curiosity, and collaboration. Explore the SOAR Newsletters:

Contact Information

If you have any questions or wish to discuss research-related opportunities, please contact the SOAR Director, Mabel Perez-Oquendo, Ph.D. (SOARoffice@bcm.edu). Follow the BCM SOAR Program on Facebook and @BCM_SOAR on Instagram and X for updates.