Research Training Programs

  • Residents participate in a wide variety of research projects. They work in a number of research settings, including basic/translational science, clinical science, healthcare informatics, and simulation-based educational research.

    The Vanderbilt Department of Anesthesiology also offers Clinician Scientist Training through the unique BH Robbins Scholars Program; the program's goal is to recruit and train the next generation of academic anesthesiologists who will shape the future of our specialty. The BH Robbins Scholars Program provides a mentored research experience that culminates in a two-year fellowship experience (with at least one research year). Scholars may request to participate in clinical fellowship training or additional formal education (e.g., Master of Science in Clinical Investigation, Master of Public Health, or other degree programs) offered at Vanderbilt during the latter part of the BH Robbins Program. Robbins Scholars receive personalized mentorship and career development, research and educational support resources, protected research time, and a salary supplement during residency and fellowship. Learn more.

    Our program has also had many Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research (FAER)-funded Research Fellows, and we support any resident who wants to pursue independent research with a faculty mentor.

    We provide our residents with a travel budget so they can attend the best regional and national meetings, and there are additional funds available for any resident who needs expenses covered to present original, peer-reviewed research at a major meeting.

  • Each summer, the Vanderbilt Department of Anesthesiology provides an opportunity for undergraduate and medical students to participate in research projects with our faculty. During the Vanderbilt Anesthesiology Summer Research Program, students will be assigned to a specific project, and given ownership of one or more aspects of that assignment. Please note that high school students are not eligible for this program.

    Students will be expected to commit full-time effort to the 9-week duration of the program. Each student will be assigned to a specific project, and given ownership of one or more aspects of that assignment. Student interns are expected to:

    (1)       Participate in a clinical research project
    (2)       Generate scientific written output (e.g., abstract, poster)

    (3)       Gain exposure to patients in a clinical environment one day per week
    (4)       Participate in scheduled didactic sessions on research process

    The Vanderbilt Department of Anesthesiology is consistently one of the top extramurally-funded research programs in the nation, and is currently ranked 8th in the nation in NIH funding. 

    The Department of Anesthesiology will offer a choice of one timeframe to complete the Summer Internship:

    Start Date : June 5, 2023 - End date: August 4, 2023  Presentation Date: August 4, 2023

    Unfortunately we cannot edit these dates for individual schedules.

    To apply for the 2023 summer internships, please click here.  We will begin accepting applications on December 1, 2022. Application deadline is January 31, 2023.

    Decisions on summer internships will be announced in March.

    Email: misty.ball@vumc.org
    Mailing Address: 
    Anesthesiology Research Division
    1611 21st Avenue South T-4202 MCN
    Nashville, TN  37232-2520
    Attn: Misty Ball
    Fax number: 615-343-3916

    Vanderbilt Anesthesiology Summer Research ScholarsVanderbilt Anesthesiology Summer Research Mentors