Harvard Catalyst Profiles

Scholarly Project: The student will engage in original scholarly work addressing questions at the intersection of patient-reported outcomes, social determinants of health, and gender-affirming surgery. They will work closely with a faculty mentor on a systematic review focused on social determinants of health in gender-affirming care. Through this process, the student will learn how to develop a research question, design a search strategy, and conduct a systematic review of the literature, while also developing critical thinking and transferable skills useful for a future physician-scholar. The student will be required to craft a scientific plan through a written proposal, which will be vetted by HMS faculty, culminating in a report on their scholarly work.

Dr. Manraj Kaur is seeking a highly motivated MD student with a strong interest in Patient-Reported Outcomes (PRO) research to join the PROVE Center team for a one-year, stipend-supported research position. This opportunity offers hands-on experience in conducting research related to surgical conditions and social determinants of health, with a particular focus on qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The selected candidate will be involved in various aspects of research, including assisting with participant recruitment, conducting literature searches, conducting and analyzing qualitative interviews and quantitative data analysis. Additionally, the student will contribute to manuscript writing and submission, providing valuable experience in academic publishing. There is also the potential to work with large health systems datasets, offering exposure to more advanced research methodologies and health outcomes analysis. Ideal candidates will be enrolled in an MD program who is planning on taking a research gap year and demonstrate a keen interest in PRO research and its applications in surgery and health equity. While not required, candidates with basic quantitative skills will be given preference. Exceptional organizational, time management, and communication skills are essential, as the candidate will be expected to demonstrate independent initiative and collaboration with a research team. This position offers flexibility through a hybrid work model, allowing for a combination of remote and in-person work. The research commitment is for one year, with a stipend commensurate with experience. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to high-impact research while gaining valuable skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis, manuscript preparation, and data interpretation. Interested candidates should submit their CV and a brief statement of interest to mkaur17@bwh.harvard.edu.