Training medical students in eye health and vision research

Short-Term Research training In Vision and Eye health (STRIVE)

NIH-funded research University of California, San Diego · NIH-11091516

The STRIVE program is a friendly opportunity for medical students interested in eye care to gain hands-on research experience and clinical training, especially welcoming those from diverse backgrounds to help shape the future of vision research.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of California, San Diego NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, United States)
Project IDNIH-11091516 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

The STRIVE program aims to train medical students to become future ophthalmology clinician scientists who can contribute to eye and vision research. Over 8-12 weeks, selected students will engage in hands-on research and clinical training, focusing on translational research that bridges laboratory findings to clinical practice. The program emphasizes diversity by actively recruiting students from underrepresented backgrounds, ensuring a broad range of perspectives in the field. Participants will benefit from mentorship and collaboration with experienced faculty at UC San Diego.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this program are medical students, particularly those from underrepresented racial or ethnic groups, those with disabilities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Not a fit: Patients who are not medical students or do not have an interest in pursuing a career in ophthalmology may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to a new generation of ophthalmologists who are well-equipped to advance eye health and vision care.

How similar studies have performed: Similar training programs have successfully increased the number of qualified physician investigators in various medical fields, indicating a promising approach.

Where this research is happening

La Jolla, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.