Top 10 Medical Research Project Ideas for High School Students

Medical research combines biology, chemistry, and a range of other fields from medical ethics to toxicology. These cutting edge studies include pre-clinical and clinical trials, and they work toward understanding and improving human health. The field of medical research is closely related to the clinical practice of medicine, but the two are different. Clinicians work closely with patients on a day-to-day basis, using their training, experience, and study of existing medical knowledge to improve individual health outcomes. These medical doctors are the ones you interact with when you go to the hospital or when you see your pediatrician for an annual check-up. Medical researchers, on the other hand, use the scientific method to broaden and deepen the medical community’s understanding of and ability to treat specific illnesses. Many research projects take years or even decades to complete, but they could end up benefiting tens of thousands of patients. Medical research takes place in laboratories across the world at university-affiliated hospitals, independent research institutes, biotechnology companies, and other settings.

Medical researchers go through a different kind of training than medical doctors do, so they develop different sets of skills. These include research methodology skills (developed by designing and implementing original pre-clinical and/or clinical studies), critical thinking skills (developed by evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of existing medical research literature), written and verbal communication skills (developed by writing research papers and presenting findings as conference posters or for publication), and collaboration skills (developed by working on teams with other researchers who have specialized areas of knowledge).

If you are a high school student who is fascinated by the advancement of medicine and who is passionate about healthcare topics, you can explore your interests and deepen your knowledge through an independent research passion project! Our medical and healthcare mentors compiled a list of 10 intriguing medical and healthcare passion project ideas to inspire you. These independent projects offer windows into the world of medical research. Completing an independent project alongside an experienced research mentor can be a rewarding experience and a defining moment for highly motivated, scientifically-oriented high school students. You’ll begin to develop many of the valuable skills (discussed above) that medical researchers acquire throughout their training and professional projects, kickstarting your scientific career. If any of these project ideas pique your interest, sign up to get matched with a mentor and get started on your student research project!

What are some medical project ideas I can start?

1) The Use of Virtual and Augmented Reality in Medicine

Level: Beginner

Virtual realities are becoming the norm around households and even classrooms these days! Did you know that virtual and augmented realities are also starting to be incorporated within the world of medicine? Take a deeper dive into this topic and write a review paper on your findings!

Successfully completing this project will help you strengthen your skills in finding relevant academic papers, reading and writing with scientific language, critical thinking, and more!

Idea by medical research mentor Mina

2) High School Health Independence

Level: Beginner 

Sometimes, it’s hard for teens to pinpoint a medical problem that they might be facing. How can we better educate high schoolers on the ins and outs of self care and living a healthy life? Brainstorm ways to introduce positive lifestyle mechanisms to this specific age group. This could take the form of a presentation, a pamphlet, an app, a game, or another outcome.

Working on this project, you’ll build your creativity and communication skills as you educate your classmates in a clear, engaging, and accurate way.

Idea by medical research mentor Margaret

3) How Does Aristotle Inform Decision-Making at the End of Life in the U.S. Healthcare System?

Level: Beginner 

Medical ethics is an important sub-branch within medical research. In some cases, medical decisions can be at odds with what the doctor personally believes is ethically correct. Many prospective clinicians and medical students struggle with this disconnect in decision making processes, especially for end-of-life care. For this project, you will research Aristotle’s principles, ethics, and more to assist with medical decision making. 

Working on this independent project will help you develop skills in philosophy, critical thinking, and problem solving.

Idea by medical research mentor Avery

4) A Review of How Genomics Has Transformed Medicine

Level: Beginner 

Cancer treatments are now being personalized and it’s largely due to genomics! Take time to do your research and explore genomics and all of the advances it has allowed us to reach. 

This is a great project for students hoping to improve their data analysis and written communication skills while learning about a fascinating and cutting-edge scientific topic.

Idea by medical research mentor Trudy

5) What can Songbirds Teach us About Premature Infants? 

Level: Intermediate 

Due to the advancement of medicine, more premature babies are given a chance at life than ever before. However, some of these babies unfortunately grow to develop mental impairments that point back to their time spent in the NICU. Is NICU sensory overload altering brain development? Research with songbirds suggests that intense sensory input in the early environment can have lasting effects on brain health.

Complete this project to build skills in biology research methods, comparative biology research methods, statistics, and data analysis. Depending on how you choose to present your work, you’ll also develop valuable communication skills as you break down scientific findings for various audiences.

Idea by medical research mentor Naomi

6) Under the Dermatoscope: A Fact Check of Common Skin Care and Sun Protection Advice

Level: Intermediate 

If you find yourself buying lotions and serums to protect your skin from the sun, this could be the project for you! Do your research on all things dermatology! What really causes skin damage and how do you know you’re using the correct ointments? Create a blog or podcast on skin health. 

With this project, you’ll develop skills in dermatology research, fact-checking, health literacy, scientific communication, education, and media production (depending on how you choose to present your findings).

Idea by medical research mentor Austin

7) Development of New Cancer Treatment with Targeted Medicine

Level: Advanced 

Explore the world of medicine by helping treat a cancer type of your choice! For this project you will invent a drug by learning more about cancerous cellular markers. You will focus on targeting those specific markers with the drug that you develop. Write a research paper or create a poster presentation to explain your creation. 

Working on this challenging project with your mentor, you’ll be required to build advanced skills in molecular biology, pharmacology, experimental design, and critical analysis of existing literature.

Idea by medical research mentor Clayton

8) How will Personalized Medicine Affect the Costs of Medical Care?

Level: Advanced 

Personalized medicine uses information about a patient’s DNA to inform medical decisions related to the treatment and prevention of illnesses. This emerging practice is powerful but expensive. In the near future, how will personalized medicine fit into the United States’ healthcare system, and how will it affect costs for low-income patients?

Beyond gaining an in-depth understanding of the complex U.S. healthcare system, you’ll develop a suite of valuable skills over the course of this cross-disciplinary project. These skills will include interdisciplinary research methods, finance, data analysis, and medical ethics.

Idea by medical research mentor Alejandro

9) Pitch Me a Med Device Startup!

Level: Advanced 

When COVID came, we were forced to adapt to a world of social distancing. Long gone are the days when we have to physically show up to a doctor's appointment! Zoom telehealth appointments are all the hype nowadays, whether you are suffering from the common cold or need to meet with your therapist. Determine a medical issue that does not yet have a remote checkup option available. Create a pitch to prove the needs of your app. 

This project is perfect for students wishing to build multidisciplinary skills in market research, business strategy, entrepreneurship, medical research, healthcare innovation, and verbal presentation.

Idea by medical research mentor Kyle

10) Tranexamic Acid as a Treatment for Drug-Induced Angioedema

Level: Advanced 

Unfortunately, we probably all know someone with high blood pressure as it’s one of the most common diagnoses in the U.S. Even though there are plenty of medications that help control the spike in blood pressure, many of them have awful side effects. One of the most common side effects, angioedema, can be very dangerous if left untreated. Is tranexamic acid an effective treatment for drug-induced angioedema? Conduct a literature review on current practices in the treatment of this dangerous side effect.

This is a challenging but highly rewarding project for students interested in strengthening their abilities in research, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication. Additionally, this project will also help you become more resilient and persistent in the face of strenuous learning curves.

Idea by medical research mentor Gaurav

How to Start Your Medical Research Project: A Step-by-Step Guide

Starting a medical research project can be an exciting and rewarding experience for high school students interested in healthcare. Whether you're investigating cutting-edge medical technology, exploring the causes of a particular disease, or looking into how genetics impact health, taking the first steps toward your own research project can seem daunting. Here's how to break it down, set yourself up for success, and make your project a standout addition to your resume and college applications.

Step 1: Find Your Passion

The first and most important step in any research project is to identify what you're truly passionate about. Think about healthcare issues that intrigue you. Do you care about mental health, cancer research, or perhaps innovations in medical technology? Find a topic that excites you—one that will sustain your motivation over time. Once you've identified your passion, craft a mission statement that helps focus your research efforts.

For example, if you're interested in the role of artificial intelligence in healthcare, your mission could be: "To explore how AI can be used to diagnose diseases more accurately and faster than current methods."

Step 2: Build a Team (If Needed)

While independent research is an option, collaboration can elevate your project and bring in diverse perspectives. Consider teaming up with classmates or reaching out to mentors or professionals in the field who can offer guidance and expertise. If your project requires it, partner with local organizations, hospitals, or universities that may offer resources, knowledge, or even funding for your research.

Form a small team of individuals who are just as passionate about the topic as you. If you work with a mentor, you’ll gain valuable insights and advice from someone with hands-on experience in the field, which can greatly enhance the quality of your research.

Evaluate and Improve Your Project

At the end of your research project, it’s time to reflect. What worked well? What challenges did you encounter? Evaluating your project regularly ensures that you're continually improving and learning.

Use Feedback to Strengthen Your Work

Consider presenting your work to a mentor, a teacher, or even your peers. Gather feedback on your findings and how you've communicated them. Use constructive criticism to improve your methods and strengthen your conclusions. If your project isn't going the way you'd hoped, don't be afraid to adjust your approach. Adaptability is a crucial skill for any researcher.

The Strategic Role of Medical Research Projects for College Applications

Completing a medical research project doesn't just allow you to explore a topic you're passionate about—it also sets you apart as an applicant for competitive colleges and universities. Admissions committees love seeing that students have taken the initiative to pursue meaningful, independent projects that demonstrate their interest in a field.

Show Colleges Your Initiative

A well-executed medical research project not only strengthens your college application but also demonstrates your ability to think critically, work independently, and engage with complex subjects. If you’ve collaborated with professionals or presented your work in a public forum, these experiences will highlight your leadership and teamwork skills. Don’t forget to mention these experiences in your application essays and during interviews.

Are there ways to start an independent research project in medicine?

If you’re interested in starting an independent medical research project as a high school student, Polygence can help! Having an experienced research mentor is absolutely essential to successfully completing a compelling independent project like the ones described above. Through our research mentorship program, you’ll get ten individual sessions with your very own medical research mentor. In these sessions, you can ask all of your questions and get personalized guidance at every single step of the process. On the other hand, for students who are seeking to acquire foundational knowledge about medicine and medical research in a condensed, beginner-friendly course environment, Polygence Pods is the perfect fit. We have Pods starting soon on precision medicine, healthcare design, healthcare economics, and more! 

For even more inspiration, explore some of our previous medical research projects and public health and learn more about how to get started on a high school student research project based on your unique interests!