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As challenging as the road to becoming a doctor may be, Charissa Jessurun chose to challenge herself even more by doing research as well. In this article, Charissa explains the benefits her research experience has had on her medical career and how other medical students could also find their own way in the research world.

Even before Jessurun started her medical education, she had a great passion for biomedical research.  She herself went in search of research projects to which she could contribute in addition to her medical education. With success, because Jessurun published her first paper during her bachelor’s degree. Even more enthusiastic, she moved on to a second research project which ended up becoming her future PhD project.

Jessurun is currently doing a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School in neurosurgery. As a medical student doing her PhD, she saw the gap between science and the clinic. Where science is more focused on understanding the disease, clinicians are more focused on the impact of the disease on the patient. Jessurun wants to combine these two different visions in her PhD, in order to make an even greater contribution to the life of the patient.

Clinical thinking is important in advancing translational research, but scientific thinking is as important in the clinic too. The scientific way of thinking encourages you to remain critical and to do research when standard procedures are not as effective as expected. “Scientific thinking is crucial in the advancement of the medical field, and during my PhD I have had the opportunity to greatly advance these thinking skills.”

Scientific thinking is crucial in the advancement of the medical field, and during my PhD I have had the opportunity to greatly advance these thinking skills.

Some medical students may find it difficult to get involved in interesting research, but it’s actually easier than you might expect, Jessurun says. “Remember that while you are studying medicine you are already in a medical epicenter of PhD students and clinical researchers.” Many of those researchers are eager to let you participate in their research. All you have to do is figure out what you are passionate about and find a research group that fits with your interest.

Remember that while you are studying medicine you are already in a medical epicenter of PhD students and clinical researchers.

Altogether, Jessurun has learned a lot from her research experiences in addition to her medical education. She encourages other medical students to explore their scientific interests as well and get involved in research as soon as possible. Jessurun plans to grow further as a biomedical researcher and clinician, hoping to inspire other medical students along the way.