Students must be in good academic standing and are encouraged not to start research until after their first semester of medical school. Most students start by identifying a mentor and topic and then reviewing the literature as part of developing a detailed plan.
Office of Research and Scholarly Activity
A message from the Vice Provost of Research
Welcome to the Office of Research, where we are actively engaged in serving RVU’s growing research culture, which is fueled by curiosity, innovation, and our desire to advance medical education and evidence-based practices!
The mission of the Office of Research is to advance, promote, and celebrate all research and scholarly activities occurring within the Rocky Vista University community. We are committed to supporting the diversity and inclusion of all participants and of varied perspectives as an essential element to achieve this mission. Support is provided for all research areas, including basic biological, translational, educational, epidemiological, health equity, clinical, and advanced practice studies.
The Office of Research is committed to providing equitable access to guidance, resources, and opportunities for all faculty, staff, and students to engage in various research and scholarly activities that promote the advancement of educational, biomedical, and clinical sciences.
Equitable support for these areas includes expert mentorship, statistical consulting, an intramural grant program, travel funds, and other special events to facilitate networking.
Student research and scholarly activity is a vital part of health provider education. It supports and solidifies osteopathic principles and tenets in its interconnectedness to the practice of medicine. I invite you to explore our website and reach out to me with any questions or suggestions.
Happy Researching!
Amanda Brooks, PHD
Vice Provost of Research and Scholarly Activity
New Breakthroughs Await
Student research and scholarly activity is a vital part of the hands-on, real-world medical education experience that RVU emphasizes in our culture and curriculums.
The office of research is committed to providing equitable access to research opportunities that promote the advancement of educational, biomedical, and clinical sciences.
We support all areas of research including:
- basic biological
- translational
- educational
- epidemiological
- DEI-related
- clinical
- osteopathic practice studies
Equitable support for these areas includes:
- expert mentorship
- statistical consulting
- an intramural grant program
- travel funds
- special events to facilitate networking
Upcoming Events
No events were found
Research Weeks
Explore the results and explorations from Research Weeks over the years, when faculty, staff, and students come together to share ideas and insights.
Latest research news from the Office of Research and Scholarly Activity
Point-of-care Ultrasound Identification of Hepatic Abscess in the Emergency Department (Apr. 11, 2023)
Point-of-care Ultrasound Identification of Hepatic Abscess in the Emergency Department
Images in Emergency Medicine. Author; Michael Blomquist.
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Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Therapies in Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors (Apr. 11, 2023)
Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Therapies in Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders – Drug Targets. Author; Amanda Morgan.
Read More
Correlation Analysis of Salivary Cytokines and Hormones with Resiliency (Apr. 12, 2023)
Correlation Analysis of Salivary Cytokines and Hormones with Resiliency
Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. Authors; Cheyenne Wing, Sager Patel, K. Dean Gubler, Anthony LaPorta, Rebecca Ryznar.
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The Effect of Celecoxib on the Progression of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease—Protective or Pathogenic? (Apr. 5, 2023)
The Effect of Celecoxib on the Progression of Calcific Aortic Valve Disease—Protective or Pathogenic?
Journal of Clinical Medicine – Special Issue “Valvular Heart Disease: From Basic to Clinical Advances.” Authors; Zachary Vinton, Kevin Wolfe, Jensen Fisher, Amanda Brooks.
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Quantitative Ultrasound Biomarkers to Assess NAFLD (Apr. 1, 2023)
Quantitative Ultrasound Biomarkers to Assess NAFLD
Presented at UltraCon – AIUM 2023 in Orlando, FL. Authors; Jing Gao, Isain Zapata, Colby Adamson, David Park.
Read More
Ultrasound Normalized Local Variance and Liver/Kidney Ratio to Assess Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (Mar. 27, 2023)
Ultrasound Normalized Local Variance and Liver/Kidney Ratio to Assess Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Presented at UltraCon – AIUM 2023 in Orlando, FL. Authors; Lauren Hagenstein, Joseph Jenkins, Colby Adamson, Jourdain Dong, Jing Gao.
Read More
A Unique Ophthalmologic Presentation of Stickler Syndrome (Mar. 1, 2023)
A Unique Ophthalmologic Presentation of Stickler Syndrome
Clinical Images and Case Reports Journal. Authors; Brianna Landis, Wong WJ, Zeke Richards, Jason Roe.
Read MoreRVU Research Strategic Plan 2023-2028
Dive into the key areas of focus that uphold the principles of our strong and growing research program.
Meet The Research Team
Amanda Brooks, PhD
Vice Provost of Research and Scholarly Activity, Director of Physician-Scientist Track (Utah)
Emily Cox
Senior Research Coordinator
Mita Das, PhD
Assistant Director of Research; Professor of Biochemistry
Jing Gao, MD, FAIUM
Ultrasound Lead/Director, Professor of Ultrasound
Shalese Gentry, Gentry
Administrative Assistant for Contract Research
Megan Lefevor
Administrative Assistant for Research
Isain Zapata, PhD
Assistant Director (Colorado Campus), Assistant Professor of Research and Statistics, Director of Introduction to Research Elective
Research FAQs
When do students generally start research?
How do I start research?
All research forms and process have been moved to the Research Hub. Use your SSO to login.
What does Research look like in Medical School?
- Literature reviews
- Secondary data analysis
- Survey studies / primary data collection
- Qualitative Research
- Qualitative data analysis
- Community based participatory research (or community outreach)
- Case reports/retrospective chart reviews
- Participant recruitment
- Abstract preparation for conferences or meetings
- Medical education research
- DEI research
What resources does RVU have available to do research?
- Internal grants
- Library resources including databases and literature review guidance
- Research specific software programs
- In house IRB system for human subjects’ research
- Healthcare clinics on CO and UT campuses that participate in clinical trials
- Basic wet lab areas available on each campus (equipped for sample storage/processing, simple assays)
- Travel fund to support presentation of your work at conferences
- Most publication open access charges covered
- Biostatistical and epidemiological support
- Seminars to teach students about research fundamentals
- Research week and other events throughout the year to showcase student research
- Engaged faculty and staff mentors
Can students work with entities outside of RVU?
Yes, absolutely. We have a pretty broad network or you can find / continue external projects. The RVU Research Office must be consulted for any project that includes external collaborations to ensure the highest level of integrity and safety.
Featured eBooks
AMA Manual of Style, 11th Edition
Introduction to Research and Medical Literature for Health Professionals, 5th Edition
Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature: a Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice, 3rd Edition
JAMA Guide to Statistics and Methods
Studying a Study and Testing a Test, 7th Edition
Explaining Research
Primer of Applied Regression and Analysis of Variance
Have questions? Want to meet?
Reach out and our team will be happy to answer your inquiries or set up a time to meet.
