Events and Activities
The Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Office sponsors several events and activities for Perelman medical students throughout the year:
Perelman medical students interested in applying to the MD/PhD program should contact PennMSTP@pennmedicine.upenn.edu with any questions.
The MD/PhD program also offers many events throughout the year that Perelman medical students are welcome to attend:
Information Sessions (2026-2027)
Information Sessions are organized by the Combined Degree and Physician Scholar Programs Staff to provide information to Perelman medical students on MD/Masters programs. In fall of 2026, we will host a Virtual MD-Masters Showcase, a joint informational session that will present current medical students with an opportunity to explore the various MD/Master's Programs. If you miss an info session of interest, see the individual MD-Master Program website. When possible, we will post the full recording and presentation slides of the info session in the "Information Gathering" section of the individual program's page on this site. Contact the Associate Director with any questions.
Virtual MD-Masters Showcase (*featuring MBA, MBE, ML, MPH, MSHP, MSTR & MS Nutrition Science)
Wednesday 8/19/26—5:00 PM - 6:00 PM (zoom)
Review the Virtual MD-Master's Showcase Overview recording and presentation slides.
We will aim to post each program's info session full recording in the "Information Gathering" section of the individual MD-Masters program's page on our website.
Students considering a Master’s or certificate should meet with Mike Sabara. Sign up for MD-Master's Degree Office Hours with Mike Sabara, MSEd to schedule a 15-minute one-on-one meeting, or reach out to him directly.
*ADDITIONAL IN-PERSON SESSIONS*
MD/MS Nutrition Science Info Session
Monday, 9/28/26—1:00 PM - 2:00 PM (Smilow 1-102 Large Conference Rm) *A healthy lunch will be served - RSVP using this link*
MD/MSTR Info Session
TBD - Prospective applicants may also request an individual meeting to discuss eligibility
Information Sessions (2026-2027)
Information Sessions are offered each fall to provide information to Perelman medical students on research opportunities. If you miss an info session of interest, see the Research and Fellowship website. When possible, we will post a PPT and/or recording of the info session on this site. Contact the Associate Director with any questions. Contact Nabila Dahodwala, Assistant Dean for Medical Student Scholarship and Research to schedule a 1:1 20-min meeting during her Research Office Hours Calendly Link.
Intro to Research at Penn Info Session: Who? What? Where? When? and Why?
MS1 & MS2 - Wednesday 9/23/2026 - 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (zoom link)
*If you missed our fall 2025 Intro to Research at Penn Info Session, please check out the full recording and presentation slides
Scholarly Year Info Session
MS1, MS2 & MS3 - Tuesday 10/20/2026 - 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM (zoom link)
*If you missed our fall 2025 Scholarly Year Info Session, please check out the full recording and presentation slides
Research & Clinical Mentoring Info Session - How to Find and Develop your Mentor Network *RSVP using this link*
MS1, MS2, MS3 & MS4 - Thursday 11/19/2026 - 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Jordan LAW
*If you missed the fall 2025 Research & Clinical Mentoring Info Session, please check out the recording. Be sure to check out our revamped Advice on Mentorship under the Resources for Mentors & Mentees tab on our Research & Fellowship Opportunities for Penn Med Students website.
Scholarly Pursuit Info Session
MS3 - Spring 2027
*If you missed the spring 2025 Scholarly Pursuit Info Session, please check out the recording and ppt presentation slides
The PSOM Student Research Symposium (Research Day) is a PSOM-wide event that aims to recognize and celebrate the dynamic community of research-driven activities of our talented medical and graduate students and innovative research centers and institutes. This is the inaugural event of its kind, fully leveraging the innovative Jordan Medical Education Center. We transformed classroom monitors into digital poster displays, enabling students to present their work completely paperless. Additionally, our new e-poster wall will illuminate the Atrium’s expansive video wall, showcasing student research throughout the poster sessions and reception.
2025 PSOM Student Research Symposium (Research Day)
Friday, November 21, 2025, 2:00 - 5:00 PM, Jordan Medical Education Center
Keynote Address
Please see the full recording of the keynote address delivered by David Fajenbaum, MD, MBA
Access the eProgram
The full symposium eProgram is available for your reference
Poster Presentation Awards
Congratulations to these students for their exceptional contributions!
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Basic Science: Diana Abraham, Impact of ATOH8 Deletion on Krt5+ Lung Basal Cell Differentiation
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Clinical Research: Aiden Adams, Expanding Eye Care Access through a Student-Run Free Clinic and Academic Health System Partnership: A Pilot Study
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Translational Research: Shreya Parchure, Predicting Post Stroke Aphasia Language Performance from Clinically Available Multimodal Data using Explainable Machine Learning
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Global & Public Health, Health Services Research (HSR), Education, and Other: Jamie Benson, Drug Treatment Centers and Neighborhood Crime: Evidence from Nine U.S. Cities Over 20 Years
The Research Paper Prize Competition invites Perelman medical students to submit a paper describing any research you have done during your time as a student in the MD or MD/PhD program for consideration by the Medical Student Research Prize faculty committee. Research in any field related to medicine is acceptable.
2026 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2025 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2024 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2023 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2022 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2021 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2020 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2019 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2018 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2017 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2016 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2015 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2014 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2013 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2012 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2011 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2010 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2009 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
2008 Research Paper Prize — Recipients
MS1, MS2, MS3 Sarnoff Fellowship in Cardiovascular Research
Speaker(s): Sharlene M. Day, MD & Zoltan Pierre Arany, MD, PhD, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Penn Medicine
Thursday, Oct 8, 5:30 – 6:30 PM, (zoom link)
For those interested in a year-out opportunity in cardiovascular research, please click on the link for more information: Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Foundation Fellowship Program
If you missed our fall 2025 Sarnoff Cardiovascular Research Info Session, please check out the full recording and presentation slides.
Contact Dr. Sharlene Day and Dr. Zoltan Arany from the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine at Penn Medicine with any questions.
MS1, MS2, MS3 NIDDK - Medical Student Research Training Program (MSRT) Info Session
*no upcoming info session scheduled*
For those interested in a 9 - 12-month fellowship conducting basic science and translational research at Penn in diabetes, endocrine and metabolic diseases, hematology, renal disease, gastroenterology, or urology, please click on the link for more information: NIDDK - Medical Student Research Training Program (MSRT) at Penn