Research Electives

Research Opportunities

At Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC), our Department of Surgery stands out with significant research support, placing us among the top independent hospitals nationwide for NIH funding. Our esteemed faculty hold appointments at Harvard and MIT and are affiliated with leading research institutions such as the Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Wyss Institute, and the Broad Institute. This rich research environment provides general surgery residents with exceptional opportunities to engage in cutting-edge projects across various fields.

General Surgery Residency Required Research

Following their third clinical year, residents are required to undertake a two-year research elective. They can choose from a broad spectrum of areas, including basic science and clinical outcomes, or pursue advanced degrees in public health, business administration, or education. The Department supports one resident annually with tuition for a master’s degree at a Harvard graduate school, awarded based on the merit of their proposed project. These opportunities are designed to equip residents with the skills needed to become leaders in academic surgery and make a substantial impact early in their careers.

Grants & Support for Residents

Residents can access several support mechanisms for their research:

• Four NIH-funded NRSA training grants (Surgical Critical Care, Gastroenterology, Vascular Surgery, and Transplantation)
• Salary support for two fellowship years from a principal investigator in Surgery
• Applications for NRSA fellowship grants from NIH or other available funding mechanisms

Research Program Focus Areas

The Department of Surgery at BIDMC is engaged in diverse research fields, including drug discovery, acute care surgery, cardiac surgery, gastrointestinal and hepatopancreaticobiliary surgery, metabolic and obesity research, plastic and reconstructive surgery, transplant surgery, and vascular and endovascular surgery. General surgery residents benefit from these programs by gaining experience in various research areas and choosing projects that align with their interests. 

Research Elective Residents

To learn more about our residents' research projects and their impact, visit the Research Elective Residents page.

Clinical Research Participation

During their clinical training, surgical house staff may also participate in clinical research conducted by the Department of Surgery members.