Rusyniak Memorial Medical Student Research Fellowships
Rusyniak Memorial Medical Student Research Fellowships
Stay tuned for the 2026-2027 application cycle.
The Rusyniak Memorial Medical Student Research Fellowships are designed to allow medical students to engage in clinical or translational research with mentorship by a University of Rochester Neurosurgery faculty member. The fellowship awards are funded by an endowment established within the Department of Neurosurgery and recognize the commitment of Dr. W. George Rusyniak to the education and inspiration of medical students interested in neurological surgery.
Eligibility
Eligible medical students should have completed one or more years of medical school either at the University of Rochester or at an accredited medical school in the United States or Canada. Non-UR medical students are encouraged to contact Wendy Saetta or Dr. Melissa LoPresti for information regarding research opportunities within the University of Rochester Department of Neurosurgery.
Applicants are encouraged to contact Wendy Saetta or Dr. Melissa LoPresti to express intent to apply, explore research opportunities within the department, and discuss next steps.
2026–2027 Summer Fellowship
Award Amount: $6,000
Summer fellowship awards of $6,000 will be granted to medical students who have completed at least one year of medical school. Research projects will be conducted under the mentorship of a UR Neurosurgery faculty member. Applicants are encouraged to connect with faculty mentors before submitting their application. Award stipends are intended to support fellows while conducting research at the University of Rochester.
2026–2027 Year-Long Fellowship
Award Amount: Up to $30,000
Year-long fellowships of up to $30,000 are available to medical students with a demonstrated record of productive research in neurosurgery who plan to spend a “year out” of medical school pursuing a research project with a UR Neurosurgery faculty mentor. Award stipends are intended to support fellows while conducting research at the University of Rochester.
Application Deadlines
2026 Summer Fellowship
| Application Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Express intent to apply | December 1, 2025 |
| Establish mentorship | January 1, 2026 |
| Submit proposal | February 1, 2026 |
| Fellowships awarded | March 1, 2026 |
2026 Year-Long Fellowship
| Application Step | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Express intent to apply | December 1, 2025 |
| Establish mentorship | January 1, 2026 |
| Submit proposal | February 1, 2026 |
| Fellowships awarded | March 1, 2026 |
Application Requirements
Summer fellowship applications should include:
- A personal statement explaining your interest in the fellowship.
- A 1–2 page scientific proposal developed with guidance from your UR Neurosurgery mentor addressing the title or topic, hypothesis, research methods, data analysis, and expected outcomes.
- Your mentor’s letter confirming their intent to provide mentorship and research support.
- A letter of recommendation from someone outside of your mentorship pairing.
Year-long fellowship applications should include:
- A personal statement explaining your interest in the fellowship.
- A detailed research proposal including specific aims, background and significance with preliminary data, research design and strategy, itemized budget, and discussion of available resources and research environment.
- Your mentor’s detailed letter addressing mentorship, support, and evaluation of your research proposal.
- A letter of recommendation from someone outside of your mentorship pairing.
Contact
If you have questions or need assistance with submitting your application, please contact Wendy Saetta or Dr. Melissa LoPresti, Department of Neurosurgery, University of Rochester.