Medical students take a strategic pause to concentrate on research

A record number of Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine students are delaying graduation to dedicate a year to scientific investigation.

Fifteen current students have put med school on hold to take a research gap year, double the number of previous years. It’s part of a growing trend aimed at strengthening their chances of obtaining residencies in highly sought specialties. They gain invaluable experience by working in labs or clinical research environments under the guidance of expert mentors before returning to school to complete their fourth year of training and earn a medical degree.

Nicholas Urbanski stepped away after his third year to work at the Johns Hopkins department of dermatology in Baltimore. As a fellow, he serves as the lead study coordinator for several clinical trials across different subspecialties, including studies on new treatments for conditions like cutaneous lymphoma, atopic dermatitis and cutaneous lupus.  “I’ve met incredible people through this research year, and the hands-on experience is giving me the tools to become a stronger researcher and, ultimately, a better residency applicant,” says Urbanski.

Residency programs provide newly minted doctors with the clinical training required for licensure and board certification in their chosen specialties. The pressure is most visible in historically competitive specialties that require extensive training but command high salaries. Fields such as dermatology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, otolaryngology, and orthopedics consistently attract far more applicants than there are available residency spots and command high salaries.

“We refer to it as the ‘residency research arms race’,” says Dr. Andres Rodriguez, assistant dean of Student Life and Development at FIU Medicine. Students feel increasing pressure to produce more publications to stand out from other applicants.

“Specialty competitiveness can shift year to year, but it essentially comes down to supply and demand,” says Rodriguez.

Recent national data shows that students who landed the top five specialties in 2024 reported the highest average number of research experiences. All the students currently taking a research gap year are pursuing highly competitive specialties.

Taking a research year can be financially challenging. Most positions are unpaid or offer only small stipends, and relocation costs can add up. Still, many students find the experience worthwhile.

“Without question, it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made,” says Blake Padgett, who is conducting orthopedics research at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. His research spans joint replacement technologies, surgical alignment techniques and complex challenges like prosthetic joint infections. “The mentorship, clinical exposure, research experience and professional development have all been exceptional,” he says.

Hope Cherian is spending her research year close to home. She is doing research at Baptist Health Miami Neuroscience Institute under the mentorship of Drs. Michael McDermott and Robert Wicks. McDermott is the Institute’s chief medical executive and chair of the department of neurosciences at FIU Medicine. “It has been incredibly valuable to learn from faculty who model the type of physician and surgeon I aspire to become,” says Cherian.

“I’ve met so many inspiring individuals and learned a lot about myself and this field in such a short span, and I’m excited to keep learning in the time I have left,” says Rakan Alshaibi, who is also conducting orthopedics research at Mayo Clinic under the mentorship of FIU Medicine alum Dr. Adam Tagliero and Dr. Mario Hevesi.

Meena Rupani, a career specialist at FIU Medicine, explains that beyond strengthening their resumes, these students gain access to conferences, lectures and mentors, all of which can be instrumental in securing their top-choice residencies.

To ensure interested students can pursue these valuable experiences, FIU Medicine’s fundrasing team is working to secure philanthropic support that provides scholarships to cover the specific costs of a research gap year. Naomi Nixon, associate dean for development at FIU Medicine says by supporting these efforts, “Donors play a vital role in empowering future physicians to pursue their career goals without financial barriers holding them back.”

These philanthropic investments strengthen the training of tomorrow’s physicians and, in turn, elevate the quality of care available in our community. By helping students gain advanced research experience, donors are contributing to FIU Medicine’s broader goal of positioning South Florida as a leading medical destination, one where patients and their families can access specialized, high-quality care close to home, without the need to travel out of state.