Department of Medicine
Pushing the frontiers of biomedical research is a key mission of the Department of Medicine, where our scientists link discovery to improved clinical practice.
As the largest department in the medical school with approximately a quarter of the college’s faculty, we are one of the most significant drivers of research dollars in the institution. The department is organized by divisions representing different areas of clinical care, each nurturing research efforts and often partnering with specialized centers to advance scientific collaboration.
Our faculty and staff are committed to academic excellence — from the undergraduates, graduate students and postdocs who power our labs to the medical students and residents training to be the physicians of tomorrow, and from junior to emeritus faculty. We have expanded research opportunities for medical students, residents and fellows with the expectation that all will incorporate research into their careers, offering programs to develop novel multidisciplinary teams to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical departments and foster highly translational studies to address the complexities of modern medicine.
Advancing Frontiers in Biomedical Research
Scientists in the Department of Medicine perform groundbreaking basic, translational, and clinical research in a highly collaborative environment that leverages the expertise of researchers across the University of Arizona Health Sciences campus and other University of Arizona colleges.
Research by Division
Training Tomorrow’s Biomedical Researchers
Our laboratories are bustling with trainees from every point of the research journey, all collaborating under the guidance of passionate and experienced scientists. Students and trainees are the lifeblood of our department’s biomedical research teams, advancing knowledge from the bench to the bedside and back. Below are just a few examples of research training programs available to students at every stage of learning.
Research Opportunities for Undergraduates
Students conduct biological research, develop professional and communication skills, and meet like-minded scholars.
Students conduct biological research, develop professional and communication skills, and meet like-minded scholars.
Franke Honors College supports students following their curiosity and taking intellectual risks that may lead to meaningful discovery.
Undergraduates exploring research careers receive guidance in identifying their interests and finding research opportunities.
Students perform basic and clinical research in cardiovascular, respiratory, and cell-based sciences, neurosciences, and pediatrics.
Research Opportunities for Graduate Students
Undergraduate and master’s degree students perform a 10-week summer research project in cancer prevention and control.
This Graduate College program exposes students to research, brilliant and dedicated faculty, and cutting-edge technology.
The College of Medicine – Tucson offers master’s, doctorate, and MD/PhD degrees in clinical translational sciences.
Research Opportunities for MD Students
Medical students receive closely mentored basic and clinical research in state-of-the-art laboratories.
Medical students conduct research with a faculty mentor on a topic of interest in health and health care.
Fourth-year medical students explore medical research, focusing on their own research interests.
Department of Medicine Lecture Series
Community Partnerships to Improve Health
Community members in Tucson and beyond have direct access to the expertise of Department of Medicine faculty members and other researchers through events hosted by the college and University of Arizona Health Sciences centers.
Our physician-scientists advance medical science while giving the community access to tomorrow’s potential treatments today. See below for a sampling of the clinical research conducted at the College of Medicine – Tucson or search for clinical trials in the Tucson area.
These events empower people suffering from rheumatic disease to lead healthy, independent lives.
Consider Participating in Clinical Trials
Resources for Department of Medicine Researchers
The University of Arizona Health Sciences campus and adjacent main campus offer many resources to assist scientists with the conduct of their critical research.