Dear Medical Students,
The Division of Pediatric Orthopedics at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego is excited to announce an opportunity for 3rd and 4th-year medical students to apply for the Rady Orthopedic Academic Research (ROAR) Scholarship. This is a one-year funded clinical research fellowship aimed at highly motivated students interested in pursuing a career in Orthopedic Surgery. This program provides comprehensive training in clinical research, direct clinical exposure, and one-on-one mentorship with senior orthopedic surgeons and faculty. Our mission is to advance musculoskeletal health through high-quality research that impacts pediatric orthopedic care.
We are recruiting three research fellows for 2026-2027: two general research positions and one position dedicated to spine research.
Areas of focus include
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Clinical Research – Assessing innovative surgical and non-surgical techniques and applying them to improve patient care.
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Patient Reported Outcomes – Evaluating quality-of-life measures and caregiver burden related to pediatric orthopedic conditions.
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Biomechanics and Innovation – Investigating the mechanics of movement, implant design, and technological advancements to improve surgical techniques and develop cutting-edge orthopedic solutions.
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Spine-Community Orthopedic Research (SCOR) - This position is designed to leverage the strong spine community partners in San Diego, including Rady Children's Hospital, UC San Diego, and Scripps Health. The SCOR scholar will have the opportunity to focus their research on pediatric and adult spine-specific conditions and collaborate across all three campuses.
Three Components to the Program:
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Research – Collaborate on designing datasets for medical chart reviews, adhering to RCHSD research policies, measuring radiographs, and preparing abstracts and manuscripts for publication. Students will contribute to several projects, including prospective and retrospective studies and single-center and multi-center initiatives.
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Clinical Exposure – Gain hands-on experience by shadowing and participating in a high-volume clinical practice. Students will have opportunities to observe surgical and non-surgical procedures, attend clinical hours, and engage with patients under the guidance of experienced providers.
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Mentorship – Receive dedicated guidance from academically active surgical faculty, clinical fellows, and international research fellows. Students will be supported in developing research ideas and projects from conception to completion, benefiting from a collaborative environment that fosters growth and learning. The research fellows will have the opportunity to work closely with Dr. V. Salil Upasani, Dr. Eric W. Edmonds, and Dr. Peter O. Newton, who lead a high-volume clinical and surgical practice, providing hands-on mentorship and exposure to pediatric orthopedic cases, including spinal deformities, limb reconstruction, and sports injuries. The SCOR fellow will work with Dr. Bahar Shahidi in conjunction with spine practitioners throughout the community. Our past fellows have presented research at state and national conferences.
How to Apply:
Applicants should email the following documents to Dr. Upasani at
[email protected] with the subject titled “ROAR Application 2026-2027_First and Last Name”.
• Completed Application in link:
• CV
• Medical school transcripts
• USMLE Step 1 results (PDF, if available)
• 1 letter of recommendation
• Writing sample (upon request for final candidates)
Applications are accepted until December 15th, 2025. Early applications are encouraged, as the position may be offered before the deadline. For more information, feel free to reach out to Dr. Upasani at the same email address. We look forward to your applications and are excited to engage with the next generation of orthopedic leaders.
Sincerely,
V. Salil Upasani, MD
Eric W. Edmonds, MD
Peter O. Newton, MD
Pediatric Orthopedic Surgery
Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego
Duration: 1 year
Start and End Date: July 2026 – July 2027
Where: Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego, CA
Stipend: $30,000
