No Home Program? Medical Student Guide to Virtual Research

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“I don’t have a home radiology department; how can I get involved in radiology research?”

This question arose frequently during an informal meet-up I organized at a radiology conference with residents, program directors and other medical students. We kept returning to the same challenge: Finding research opportunities can be difficult if your school doesn’t have its own radiology department. Without that support, it may seem like you’re missing out on mentors, projects and resources that are easier to find elsewhere.

When I started medical school with no home radiology program, I wanted to do research but didn’t know where to begin. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, I created my own. My idea turned into an educational exhibit, then a conference presentation and eventually a publication. I also found more opportunities, both in research and beyond, by connecting with mentors and working with others online.

Since every project is unique to your interests and creativity, the steps below are flexible and designed to illustrate that meaningful radiology research is possible no matter where you attend medical school.

Step 1: Start with a topic that excites you

One way to gain research experience is to take any project you can find, especially if the topic interests you. When you choose a topic that excites you, it’s easier to stay motivated, even when school gets busy. Research is more meaningful when you care about the work.

For me, being interested in the subject made reading papers and organizing content feel worthwhile (not just like "busy work)." Creating an education exhibit is a great way to start because it helps you become an expert on a focused topic and build skills in literature review, scientific writing, medical illustration and teaching. The cherry on top is if the topic helps you prepare for upcoming exams.

Step 2: Find a virtual mentor

You don’t need a mentor at your own school to do meaningful radiology research. Many of the mentors who helped me were from other institutions. The ACR® Medical Student Section (MSS) helped me make those connections through conferences, committees, student groups and networking events.

Through ACR, I connected with radiologists outside my institution, found virtual collaborators and became involved in projects related to 3D printing and AI. The MSS page also points students to webinars, radiology interest group resources, scholarships and internships, as well as ACR Volunteer Link opportunities that provide additional ways to learn, connect and contribute.

ACR resources can also help you turn a broad interest into a research question. The ACR Commission on Research is a great place make connections with radiologist-researchers and learn about opportunities.

The ACR Center for Research and Innovation™ (CRI) acts as a hub and catalyst for clinical research — offering opportunities in clinical trials, precision diagnostics, imaging-based therapy, AI validation and real-world evidence research.

The Harvey L. Neiman Health Policy Institute® (HPI) is focused on economic and health services research to influence health policy. It offers data tools, grants and fellowships, and research training focused on health policy and radiology practice.

Medical students can use these resources to identify unanswered questions, learn from existing methods and find investigators whose work aligns with their interests.

When I reached out, I didn't ask someone to "give me a project." Instead, I contacted a mentor with a specific idea I wanted to work on. This changed the conversation from asking for work to suggesting a collaboration.

Practical tips:

• Introduce yourself briefly.
• Share why you’re interested in their work and in collaborating with them specifically. You can often find this information on their university website or social media.
• Present a project idea instead of asking for one.
• Let them know you’ve already started some work, such as reviewing the literature.
• Explain what makes your idea new.
• Be open to feedback and revisions.
• Be honest about your situation (as much as you feel comfortable). For example, I shared in an email that I couldn’t attend annual conferences due to financial constraints but still wanted mentorship. This honesty helped me connect with radiologists (shoutout to Navid Faraji, MD, from University Hospitals) who were willing to mentor students virtually.

Step 3: Learn from previous educational exhibits

One of the most valuable resources for students is something many medical students don’t know about: Previous educational exhibits. The Image Wisely® collection of RSNA Educational Exhibits is an accessible place to see how authors frame imaging-safety topics, organize content and pair text with visuals. You can also browse the ACR 2026 E-Poster Wall for inspiration.

Reviewing accepted exhibits helped me understand:

• How much content is appropriate
• How exhibits are organized
• What types of figures are effective
• How authors balance text with visuals
• What makes a project educational rather than simply informative

Studying previous work isn’t about copying ideas. It’s about learning what’s expected for a successful submission.

Step 4: Take advantage of virtual platforms

Meaningful scholarship doesn't always require travel. Many organizations now offer opportunities to present work virtually, including electronic poster presentations. These options allow students to participate nationally even if travel isn't feasible.

Virtual mentorship also means your mentor doesn't have to live nearby. Most of the time, I met with my mentors over Zoom, email and shared documents. Distance became almost irrelevant.

Lessons learned

Looking back, there are several things I wish someone had told me at the beginning:

1. You don't need a home radiology department to contribute meaningful scholarship.
2. Don't wait until someone offers you a project.
3. You don't need to know everything before you begin. You simply need curiosity, initiative and mentors willing to guide you.
4. Professional organizations like ACR can help bridge the gap if you don’t have a home radiology department.
5. Remember to meet deadlines!
6. Try to see your situation as an opportunity to build connections with mentors across the country.

You may not have a home radiology program, but with curiosity, initiative and the right connections, you can build a research home of your own.