Resources

Skjaerlund Grant

Dr. John Skjaerlund was an accomplished scholar and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Emergency Medicine (DEM) at Wayne State University (WSU). He earned his Ph.D. in Experimental Pathology, M.S. in Physics, and also completed D.V.M. and M.D. degrees. He completed his Emergency Medicine Residency at Wayne State University / Detroit Medical Center in June of 1989. Shortly thereafter, he joined the department as a faculty member. He served as an investigator in the Emergency Medicine Basic Science Laboratory from December 1989 to July 1992, and made significant contributions to the department's research efforts. Dr. Skjaerlund was a compassionate and caring physician who was well-liked and respected by his colleagues. Tragically, Dr. Skjaerlund passed away while mountain-climbing in the summer of 1992. 

The John Skjaerlund, M.D. Endowed Medical Student Research Fellowship was established in his memory to encourage medical students to pursue mentored research activities within the Department of Emergency Medicine. The term of the Fellowship is one academic year.

Requirements:

1.) The applicant must be a currently-enrolled medical student at Wayne State University School of Medicine or currently participating in a WSU-affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency Program. 

2.) The applicant must submit a brief description of the proposed research project, using the form provided, sponsored by an eligible WSU DEM faculty mentor. The project outlined in the applicant's research proposal must be related to some aspect of medical care for patients seen in the emergency department. The selection committee will prioritize those proposals that relate to the mentor's areas of demonstrated expertise. Recent projects have included, but are not limited to: 

• Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation 
• Emergent Vascular Access
• Neurological Emergencies
• Ultrasound 
• Sepsis
• Community and Preventative Health
• Heart Failure
• Pulmonary Embolism
• Traumatic Brain Injury

3.) The applicant's responsibilities for the proposed project must be crucial to the success of the research project. This can include, but is not limited to, data collection, data analysis, drafting manuscripts, or preparing other presentations. The scope of this project should be equivalent to a summer externship, or 8-10 weeks of full-time effort. 

4.) The project must revolve around some original hypothesis or objective, and cannot simply be completing work on a project that has already begun. While projects may be derived from the mentor's existing or ongoing research, there must be some aspect of the research that is unique to the proposed project. 

5.) The project may not be funded through any other mechanism. 

Getting Started: 

1.) Consider the area of research that you want to pursue.

2.) Identify an eligible WSU DEM research mentor.

3.) Define your research project, in collaboration with your mentor.

4.) Write up your research proposal.

5.) Submit your application, including research proposal, CV, and any supporting documents. 

Award: 

Skjaerlund Medical Student Research Fellows will receive a one-time stipend of $2,000. This stipend should be used by the Fellow to cover living expenses, travel, or other costs associated with conducting research. Up to four (4) qualified applicants may be selected each calendar year. Applications may be submitted on a rolling basis, without a fixed deadline. Previous Fellows are eligible to compete for subsequent Fellowships, but must be actively enrolled at WSU SOM during the term of the award period. 

Applications:

You may download the application HERE.

Please email your applications to Dr. James Paxton. 

For questions related to this program, please contact Dr. James Paxton.