REQUIRED RESEARCH PROJECT
International Research Form
Doing research away from the UNM/SOM for academic credit and/or stipends is considered a privilege. However, using this experience to satisfy the medical student research requirement may be denied by the MSRC if the Committee does not deem the research acceptable or the conditions listed below are not met.
1. A letter of support from the UNM/SOM mentor that provides the MSRC with assurance and understanding of the complexity of the particular research undertaking, and that mentor has taken all the necessary steps to ensure its success and that it complies with HRRC or ARC guidelines and standards.
2. In addition to having an approved UNM/SOM mentor, there must be an individual at the research site to oversee the student’s research. The foreign site mentor should work at an academic medical institution or have an academic affiliation, in addition to an appropriate site for conducting medical student research. This person will be responsible for monitoring the student’s research learning objectives, ensuring the quality of the experience and providing a written evaluation of the student’s performance. The student must provide the MSRC with the name, address, phone number and e-mail of this person.
3. Foreign site mentor needs to approve the student’s research proposal with a signed letter of support.
4. The project must have HRRC or ARF approval from UNM/SOM and official documentation of HRRC or ARF approval from the foreign site if working with human or animal subjects; and students must provide proof that they have appropriate approvals from UNM and the research site, if required, or an exemption in writing, if necessary, for working with humans and/or animals.
5. Students are responsible for obtaining appropriate training, such as OSHA (handling biological materials) and radiation safety training, if relevant.
6. Student must be in good academic standing.
7. Students are responsible for arranging for health insurance that will cover them while out of the country. The student needs to provide evidence of a health insurance policy that would provide not only health care for the student, but also for transport requiring medical evacuation or for the return of their remains if they were to lose their life while abroad. Without such insurance, UNM might well be liable for such expenses.
8. Students are responsible for obtaining immunizations appropriate for the area in which they will be doing research. Advice on these can be obtained from the Student Health Center.
9. Students are responsible for obtaining car insurance to cover them in a foreign country if they plan to drive a vehicle while there.
10. Students are aware that even if they receive a stipend for doing research they are not necessarily considered an employee of the University of New Mexico. As such, students may not be entitled to Workmen’s Compensation if credit is granted for their research as well as the stipend.
By signing this document, I am agreeing to assume all responsibility for damage or an injury incurred to or by me and am releasing the University of New Mexico of any liability or responsibility.
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SIGNATURE DATE
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(NAME PRINTED OR TYPED)