Peer Research Mentorship Program

Peer Research Mentorship Program (PRMP)

Empowering future researchers through peer-to-peer support at VP&S

The Peer Research Mentorship Program (PRMP) is designed to support early medical students (M1/M2) as they explore research opportunities at Columbia. Through one-on-one matching with experienced M4 mentors who have participated in programs like NIH Summer, DRF, MDMS, and SPP, students will gain valuable insight into the research process, how to find mentors, and what to expect from their own projects.

The program is volunteer-based, flexible, and focused on building community and confidence in research skills — especially for those who are just beginning their journey. Whether you're new to research or unsure where to begin, PRMP offers a supportive peer-to-peer space to grow.

Program Goals:

  • Skill Development: Enhance mentees’ skills in research presentation, critical thinking, and scientific communication.
  • Community Building: Foster a supportive community within the House Program that encourages intellectual curiosity and collaboration.
  • Event Collaboration: Contribute actively to Student Research Day, strengthening the culture of peer support and shared learning at Columbia.

Interested in Becoming a Mentee?

Are you an M1 or M2 student looking to get started with research but unsure where to begin? Join PRMP to be matched with an M4 mentor who’s been in your shoes and can help guide you through the process.

As a mentee, you'll gain:

  • Personalized guidance on finding research opportunities at Columbia
  • Feedback on project ideas, abstracts, and poster design
  • Support in navigating research logistics like IRB, Rascal, and faculty outreach
  • A built-in peer connection to cheer you on

Click here to become a mentee!

Interested in Becoming a Mentor?

Volunteer your time and expertise to guide future physician-scientists.

Mentor Roles and Responsibilities:

  1. Guidance on Research Projects
    1. Help meetees navigate research opportunities, projects, and mentors.
    2. Share insights on research design, methodology, and planning.
    3. Help mentees navigate Columbia-specific research resources.
    4. Offer tips for balancing research with academic demands.
  2. Support for Student Research Day
    1. Guide poster development and presentation strategies.
    2. Attend a pre-event poster review & feedback session.
  3. Regular Meetings and Check-Ins
    1. Schedule timely touchpoints, as needed.
    2. Provide ongoing encouragement and practical advice.
  4. Networking & Professional Growth
    1. Help mentees connect with faculty and research offices.
    2. Share tips for applications like the Dean’s Research Fellowship and more.

BECOME A MENTOR

Current Mentors

Christian Athanasian
MD Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: Scholarly Project Program (SPP)
Areas of Support: Orthopedic Surgery

Colby Joncas
MDMS Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: MDMS
Areas of Support:Clinical Research, Rat Surgery, Neurosurgery, MD/MS Program, Summer T35 Program

Ansley Jones
MD Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: Dean’s Research Fellowship (DRF)
Areas of Support:Biostatistical methods, epidemiology, clinical research, critical care research

Mackenzie Kagan
MD Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: Scholarly Project Program (SPP)
Areas of Support:Neurology, anesthesia, surgery

Dylan Kim
MD Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: Scholarly Project Program (SPP)
Areas of Support:Plastic surgery, surgical database research

Ryan Leone
MD Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: Scholarly Project Program (SPP)
Areas of Support:Emergency medicine, military medicine, disaster preparedness, health security, wilderness medicine, and healthcare policy/operations

Andres Pascual-Leone
MDMS Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: Dean’s Research Fellowship (DRF) / MDMS
Areas of Support:Neurology, neurosurgery, neuroscience

Riley Sevensky
MDMS Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience:MDMS
Areas of Support:Clinical outcomes research, basic statistics, finding a mentor

Varun Sudunagunta
MDMS Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: MDMS
Areas of Support:Hematology/Oncology, Basic/Translational Science, Multi-Omics, authorship on relevant posters/presentations/manuscripts

Hannah Weinstein
MDMS Candidate, Class of 2026 
Research Experience: MDMS
Areas of Support:General advice on mentor and research topic selection, guidance for certain wet lab and computational experiments, presentation and poster preparation

Resources for Mentors and Mentees