Clinical Research Division

Groundbreaking Clinical, Translational, and Basic Science Investigation

Surgical research is the single most important link between basic science and its clinical application. The Division of Translational and Surgical Science provides support for basic science, translational, and clinical research preformed within the Department of Surgery. Rutgers New Jersey Medical School is an internationally recognized for groundbreaking surgical research. Our clinical and research faculty currently have over 36 million dollars in externally sponsored grants and industry contracts. Our clinical and research faculty publish more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles annually, and our faculty and residents are well represented at both national and international medical and surgical conferences.  

Basic Science and Translational Research

Our research faculty members are innovators in developing cutting-edge therapies and pioneering scientific advancements.  Our surgical science laboratories occupy more than 9000 sq ft of space dedicated to investigator laboratories and shared research resources.  Our dedicated faculty of investigators across multiple divisions are actively involved in basic and translational surgical science research.

Clinical Research

Faculty of the Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Department of Surgery are innovators in developing cutting edge clinical therapies to patients.  Faculty members are actively engaged in clinical trials, patient-centered research initiatives, surgical education research, and clinical outcomes research. 

Training in Surgical Research

As an major academic center, our residents, graduate students, and medical students are invited to actively participate in all aspects of surgical scientific discovery, and these trainees are integral to surgical scientific discovery.  Surgical residents are offered the opportunity to pursue dedicated research years in their area of interest.  For residency applicants interested in academic careers, this novel departmental initiative demonstrates the inherent commitment of this Department to the support of surgical research, as well as to the continuous enhancement of the Department's reputation as a center of excellence in Surgical Research. Residency applicants should be keenly aware of the availability of opportunities to participate in research presentations and publications may represent a crucial opportunity to "stand out from the crowd" when the time comes for applications to nationally competitive fellowship positions.

Resident Research Opportunities

Our surgical residents are offered the opportunity to spend two dedicated years to the pursuit of research of their choosing.  Previous residents have used the time to pursue cutting edge projects basic and translational research, clinical research, and surgical education.  The Department of Surgery provides funding for research for several residents each year though the Benjamin Rush Research Endowment. Others have pursued research under research fellowship grants such as an NIH T32, and funding through the New Jersey Alliance for Clinical and Translational Science (NJ ACTS) .  Opportunities to pursue advanced degrees during this time, such as an MPH, MS, or PhD are also through the Rutgers School of Graduate Studies.

Medical Student Research Opportunities

The Department of Surgery offers many research opportunities for medical students.  Students can pursue dedicated research time in translational medicine through the Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science Summer Research Program or can engage with our faculty through ongoing clinical research throughout their medical training. 

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

The Department of Surgery also offers research opportunities for undergaduates.  Students can participate in the Summer Research Program through Rutgers Institute for Translational Medicine and Science or can engage by shadowing our clinical faculty. 

Department of Surgery Annual Research Symposium

Trainees in surgical research are offered the opportunity to present their work at our annual Surgical Research Symposium, held in collaboration with the Ben Rush Surgical Society in the Department of Surgery.