The Surgical Outcomes & Quality Improvement Center (SOQIC), is a nationally recognized research hub focused on improving health care quality across surgical specialties, supported by over $40 million in funding. With work published in top journals like JAMA and NEJM, SOQIC also trains medical students, residents and fellows through robust, grant-supported programs. SOQIC offers a multidisciplinary two-year research training program for surgical residents, providing experience across surgical outcomes, health services, quality improvement, implementation science, health policy and education, with funded positions including the NIH NCI T32 in surgical oncology, Surgical Education Numbered Trials Fellowship, ACS Cancer Programs Fellowship, ASMBS Research Collaborative Fellowship and SAGES Fellowship.
Surgical Research Reimagined
GHREST
The Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Research Education of Surgical Trainees (GHREST) program at Indiana University School of Medicine offers a unique, multidisciplinary two-year research training experience. Designed to cultivate the next generation of surgeon-scientists, GHREST features two specialized tracks: Health Services and Outcomes Research (HSOR) and Basic Science and Translational (BTS) Research.
Industry Research and Trials
IU School of Medicine Department of Surgery leads innovative research and industry trials across scientific, medical and healthcare fields. With research space across statewide campuses, our centers foster collaboration in basic, clinical and translational research to drive discovery and impact.
Resident Research Years
Professional development and research in clinical, translational, global health and surgical education are key priorities with opportunities to pursue two-year research fellowships and fully funded advanced degrees. Options include master’s programs in clinical science, microbiology, immunology, biostatistics or public health, as well as a master’s in health professions education through the University of Illinois-Chicago, often supported with stipends and tuition through IU electives. IU Surgery also offers unique global health experiences, including the AMPATH Kenya program, which provides hands-on clinical training, research mentorship and community-based engagement in partnership with AMPATH Kenya.
Medical Student Research
Medical student research is integral to the Department of Surgery’s culture with active participation in the IU Medical Student Program for Research and Scholarship (IMPRS). This eight-week summer program offers first-year students hands-on research experience, a stipend and funding support, culminating in a poster session and potential oral presentation for top projects. In addition, the department has developed the Surgical Research Training Program, a dedicated gap-year opportunity for medical students who wish to step out of medical school for a full year to pursue research. Modeled after the MedStar program and housed within surgery, this initiative provides an immersive research experience designed to cultivate the next generation of surgeon-scientists.
Research Facilities
The Department of Surgery’s Center for Surgical Sciences unites our research laboratories within a 6,000-square-foot collaborative hub featuring state-of-the-art operating rooms, dedicated cell culture suites and access to shared core facilities, designed to advance innovation and mentorship.
Learn more about core research facilities at IU School of Medicine
Learn More About Research
![16381-Markel, Troy]( "16381-Markel, Troy")
Troy A. Markel, MD
Professor of Surgery and Vice Chair, Department of Surgery-Research
To learn more about conducting industry research and trials, please email Troy Markel, MD.