Summer Scholar Program

Faculty instructor of record and student liaison: Eric Giza, M.D.

The Department of Orthopaedic Surgery Summer Scholar Program is offered to UC Davis Medical Students during the summer between their 1st and 2nd years of medical school. This program introduces students to research opportunities in orthopaedic basic science, translational science, and clinical research.

This six-week program includes both research and clinical components. UC Davis Students accepted into this program will complete a research project and spend one day per week in the operating room and a half day per week in the clinic. Additionally, the student will attend weekly lectures and discussion groups that will allow the student to develop their understanding of both medical research and clinical orthopaedics. Students will be introduced to clinical and laboratory musculoskeletal research, learn to follow a line of investigation, and write a scientific publishable manuscript. UC Davis students will also have the opportunity to observe orthopaedic surgical procedures with a variety of our clinical faculty. It is an excellent opportunity for students interested in general surgery or a surgical sub-specialty to review musculoskeletal anatomy and medicine.

Eight units are available for credit if the UC Davis student chooses not to pursue funding or a stipend. UC Davis Students may apply for a stipend through the Medical Student Research Fellowship offered through the School of Medicine’s Office of Medical Research or outside resources. 

Upon completion of the summer program, the student will submit an evaluation of the course and receive feedback from the assigned supervising faculty member.  

To be eligible for this program, all applicants must:

• Be in good standing with the UC Davis School of Medicine, LCME-accredited or COCA-accredited medical school.
• Submit a Curriculum Vitae (CV), two letters of recommendation and a letter of good standing from home school registrar. These documents are considered “application materials”. 

Summer 2025 Application Period: Dec. 1 - Jan. 17, 2025. 

Applications will be reviewed, and positions will be offered by approximately Feb. 15, 2025. Please submit application materials to Maggie Allen, Medical Course Coordinator for the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, at malallen@ucdavis.edu.