The purpose of the Focused Individualized Research Experience courses (FIRE-I/II) is to provide and facilitate opportunities for each student to conduct and complete a scientific research project. This experience enables students to develop skills of intellectual inquiry applicable to the practice of medicine. A FIRE project may be in any area of medicine where a qualified faculty Research Mentor can be identified. The curriculum includes training and tools to successfully develop a rigorous, independent, and scholarly FIRE project. Conducting and completing a FIRE project is a defining characteristic of UCF medical students, enabling them to better appreciate and practice evidence-based medicine throughout their careers.
FIRE is supported by a dedicated leadership and administrative team. Pictured from left to right:
Dr. Lane Coffee, Mr. Shaheen Miller, Ms. Andrea P. Espina Rey, Ms. Fidan Sideifzada,
Ms. Liz Gordian, and Dr. Robert Hines.
The FIRE curriculum is focused on delivering content during formally scheduled in-person sessions or flexible, online, self-learning modules (SLMs). In the first year of medical school (FIRE-I), students identify a FIRE mentor and work with that individual or team to develop an original, feasible, and scientifically valid FIRE proposal. In FIRE-II, students complete their FIRE projects initiated in FIRE-I. Throughout both FIRE-I and II, students receive feedback from faculty, statistical research coordinators, librarians, and peers. The culminating experience of FIRE-II is presenting FIRE project results at the annual FIRE conference.
