Reach out! Ask attendings you have worked with in the past, or speak to residents to ask for an introduction.
-Lynn Ann Forrester, MD

Attend grand rounds. This is a great way to meet with faculty where you can make introductions and get involved.
-Mary Mulcahey, MD

Communication is key. Respond to research mentors immediately, and let them know if any conflicts arise.
-Abhi Seetharam, MD

Make sure you have time for projects. Don’t take on more than you can handle, and work vigorously on projects you receive.
-Josef Jolissaint, MD

Make sure to check in regularly with mentors, let them know the status of projects.
-Kanu Okike, MD

Do an extensive literature search before taking on a project. Make sure the idea has not been done before.
-Kanu Okike, MD

Make sure you know why you are doing a project. Understanding the basis for the project will not only help you during interviews, but also improve your own conduct.
-Lynn Ann Forrester, MD

You don’t have to start big, consider beginning with a small project such as a retrospective review to learn the research process.
-Josef Jolissaint, MD

Find a mentor you can identify with to create a strong connection, but don’t overlook the benefits of choosing someone who has completely different life experiences from yourself.
-Mary Mulcahey, MD

Take advantage of social media! If you see an idea or project you might be interested in, be sure to reach out.
-Abhi Seetharam, MD

Dr. Lynn Ann Forrester is currently a PGY4 orthopedic surgery resident at Columbia. Her research interests include tissue crosstalk in developing and injured musculoskeletal tissues. She will be applying for hand fellowship this fall. After completing her training, she will pursue a career as a physician scientist, and hopes to balance lab time and a clinical hand practice. 

Dr. Josef Jolissaint attended University of Maryland School of Medicine where he was selected to the R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Orthopedics Research Fellowship with Dr. Robert O’Toole between his first and second year of medical school, and won an award for outstanding achievement in research. He is currently a PGY4 at Carolinas Medical Center/OrthoCarolina for Orthopaedic Surgery Residency where he met his current research mentors Dr. Bryan Springer, Thomas Fehring, and Jesse Otero. He will be doing a fellowship in Hip and Knee Reconstruction upon graduation. 

Dr. Abhi Seetharam is in the 6-year research track program at Indiana University, and completed his research year between his second and third year of residency. His research focus was in both basic science and clinical research, studying novel therapeutics for post-traumatic osteoarthritis as well as several clinical projects in adult reconstruction, shoulder, and trauma fields. He is now a PGY4 resident and applying for adult reconstruction fellowship this year. After training, he hopes to pursue a career in academics that will allow him to continue to blend clinical duties, research, and teaching responsibilities.

Dr. Kanu Okike is an orthopaedic trauma surgeon who practices with Kaiser Permanente in Honolulu, HI. His research interests center on hip fractures as well as healthcare disparities, diversity in orthopaedics, financial conflicts of interest, and orthopaedic implant costs. He currently serves as Deputy Editor for Healthcare Disparities for The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.

Dr. Mary Mulcahey is a Board Certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in shoulder and knee surgery and sports medicine. She joined the faculty in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Tulane in April 2017, as the Director of Tulane’s Women’s Sports Medicine Program. In that role, Dr. Mulcahey has been instrumental in the design, development, and leadership of a comprehensive approach to the care of active women. Dr. Mulcahey is currently the President of the Ruth Jackson Orthopaedic Society. Additionally, she is serving on the AANA Board of Directors, the AOSSM education committee, the AJSM Electronic Media Editorial Board, and she was selected for the AOSSM Traveling Fellowship to Europe in April 2022. Dr. Mulcahey is the team physician for Tulane’s Women’s Indoor and Beach Volleyball teams, the Big Easy Rollergirls, New Orleans Women’s Rugby (the Halfmoons), as well as several local all girls’ high schools.

These panelists provided a plethora of knowledge in just a one hour panel. Below are some highlighted advice/quotes from our panelists:

The “Building a Research Mentor-Mentee Relationship” panel was the second panel hosted by the MSOS Education Committee as part of the research panel series “Welcome to Research”. The purpose of this panel was to gather advice from our expert panelists on how to find research mentors, build lasting relationships, and increase research productivity during medical school. We were honored to have these panelists discuss their thoughts.

Don’t forget to check out the helpful links at the end of this page!