From the Dean’s Desk | Our Research Advisors Ignite Curiosity and Instill Confidence in Students

As part of my role as Associate Dean of Admissions and Student Affairs, I often hear from prospective students that they are drawn to our program because of the dedicated research year even though it extends the length of their medical education. We attract individuals with significant prior research experience who recognize Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine (CCLCM) as a place that will both fuel their passion for discovery and equip them with the skills necessary to become successful physician investigators.

What distinguishes our program is both the five-year research-intensive curriculum and the extraordinary faculty who bring it to life. From day one, students are paired with a research advisor who guides them through a longitudinal curriculum designed to build competency step by step: foundational basic and translational science in year one, clinical research and biostatistics in year two and advanced methodology and scholarly development in later years. This culminates in a dedicated 12-month thesis year with a rigorous, master’s-level research project.

Cleveland Clinic offers an unparalleled environment for this work, with access to thousands of Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved clinical trials and a broad community of investigators across basic, translational, clinical and health services research. Within Cleveland Clinic Research, we have more than 230 laboratories and a total of $479M in federal funding, including over $157M in NIH funding, in 2025. What’s more, according to U.S. News & World Report, Case Western Reserve University, of which CCLCM is a part, is ranked a Tier 1 school for research among the 2026 “Best Medical Schools.”

Central to this experience are our thesis research advisors and committees, who mentor students through every phase of the research process, from refining questions and selecting methodologies to navigating IRB approval and ensuring ethical rigor. They also support manuscript development and presentations at national and international meetings. I invite you to view our student publication charts and Class of 2026 research projects showcased on Research Day.

This mentorship is reinforced by the Research Education Committee, which oversees curriculum design, approves thesis proposals and monitors student progress to maintain the highest standards of academic excellence. CCLCM graduates earn the distinctive degree of “Doctor of Medicine with Special Qualifications in Biomedical Research,” reflecting both their clinical training and commitment to advancing medical science.

We are deeply grateful for all our research advisors’ contributions in service of our students. By challenging them to think critically, ask meaningful questions and pursue ideas with rigor and integrity, our advisors cultivate both curiosity and confidence.

I would also like to recognize our research and basic science leadership teams, whose strategic vision and commitment strengthen our curriculum and support our faculty and students:

Linda Graham, MD, Assistant Dean of Research Education

• Trine Jorgensen, PhD, Associate Director of Research Education
• Christine Moravec, PhD, Assistant Dean of Basic Science Education
• Christina Lindenmeyer, MD, Associate Director of Basic Science Education

Finally, we extend our sincere appreciation to all faculty members who contribute their time, expertise and mentorship. Their efforts shape our students into thoughtful, ethical and innovative physician investigators who are prepared to lead scientific discovery and improve patient care for generations to come.

Christine B. Warren, MD, MS (’09)
Interim Executive Dean