The Medical Student’s Field Guide to Research

By Paul B. Greenberg MPH’17, MD; John C. Lin ’23; and Victoria L. Tseng ’08 MD’12, PhD Johns Hopkins University Press, 2026

Most aspiring physicians know the benefits of doing research while they’re in medical school, from gaining skills like critical thinking and collaboration to boosting their residency applications—but many worry that mentors, suitable projects, and especially time are in short supply.

This book, equal parts how-to guide and motivational pep talk, should relieve students’ concerns so they can take the first step. The authors draw on their distinct career perspectives—Greenberg is a professor of surgery at Brown; Lin’s a University of Pennsylvania medical student; and Tseng leads a residency program at UCLA—to weave practical advice and personal anecdotes into this succinct, highly readable step-by-step guide.

Students of any experience level will find useful tips here, like identifying a mentor, communicating effectively, or selecting software. They’ll also get important reminders—to set manageable goals, to learn from mistakes, and to prioritize self-care.

Greenberg, Lin, and Tseng keep the tone light, informal, and inspirational. “Rejection does not mean failure; rather, it provides an opportunity to learn, grow, and refine your work.” “When you’re done with a task, treat yourself!”

Above all, they’re pragmatic: As they remind readers never to compromise their medical education, they add, “students who cannot complete their coursework and research tasks will not make effective researchers.” Whether research-curious or already committed, any medical student will gain the confidence and clarity they need to enter the world of scientific discovery.