College of Osteopathic Medicine student Matthew Watson was selected to be a member of the National Institutes of Health Medical Research Scholars Program. Watson, a fourth-year medical student, was one of 55 students selected for the program from 37 accredited universities in the United States.
A yearlong residential program starting in July, the MRSP introduces medical, dental and veterinary students to advanced research projects that relate to their career interests and goals and puts them directly in NIH laboratories and clinics.
“The MRSP leadership and administrators are very excited about the increase in participants and look forward to welcoming the diverse group to the NIH,” MRSP program coordinator Kenny Williams said. “We hope the scholars take full advantage of the resources here, enjoy their year of mentored research training, and eventually become future leaders in their research fields of interests.”
Watson was one of seven osteopathic medical school applicants across the country and the only one selected for the 2015-16 MRSP. He is also the first osteopathic student to ever be selected for the MRSP.
Watson’s research will be conducted in the Urological Oncology Branch of the National Cancer Institute. He said he is most excited to work with the NCI UOB intramural senior investigators.
He plans to perform work investigating the genetic molecular basis of prostate or kidney cancer in an effort to identify new treatment options.
“I am confident that they will foster an atmosphere of development where I can focus on applying and refining my current research understanding,” Watson said. “I hope to create and implement clinical protocols while learning new laboratory techniques, enhance my analytical skills and gain additional experience in writing manuscripts that advance the field of urology.”
Watson hopes to become a physician who impacts and progresses medicine through significant contributions to biomedical research.
Elizabeth Hinds, a 2012 graduate of the MSU College of Engineering, also was accepted into the program.