The Paul L. Foster School of Medicine offers an integrated curriculum that combines the science of medicine with clinical skills, professionalism, and ethics. As part of this curriculum, all students complete a scholarly concentration through the Scholarly Activity and Research Program (SARP). To support this requirement, the Laboratory for Education in Molecular Medicine (LEMM) provides a dedicated space for mentored student research.

The LEMM is more than a traditional research lab. It is also embedded within the curriculum, allowing students to apply foundational sciences, such as microbiology, molecular biology, or genetics and genomics, in ways that directly connect to clinical practice. Students collect specimens and perform tests, just as they are conducted in hospital laboratories, gaining hands-on experience that strengthens both interpretation and decision-making skills in patient care

A Message from the Director:
Nathan Holland, M.S., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Physiology

Welcome to the Laboratory for Education in Molecular Medicine.

This lab is here to give you real opportunities to learn and apply the sciences that underpin clinical practice. Faculty in our department mentor students on projects that connect what you learn in class to real clinical problems. You will see how the sciences that form the foundation of medicine translate into discoveries that matter for patients.

The lab is well-equipped, and our faculty are actively engaged in research that opens the door for you to participate in meaningful projects early in your training. These experiences will enhance your confidence in your skills, strengthen your residency applications, and help you develop the mindset of a physician scientist.

We also collaborate with students from other universities in El Paso and New Mexico, making this space a hub for collaboration and discovery.

Take a look at what we are building here, and reach out if you want to get involved.