Scientific Society

Journal Club – Madras Medical College

• The Journal Club of Madras Medical College, established in 2025, was created as a forum for students to come together and critically appraise research articles in a collaborative learning environment. Its goal is to equip undergraduates with the skills needed to interpret scientific literature with a discerning eye and to foster a deeper appreciation for evidence-based medicine.
• Sessions are designed to walk students through each section of a research article—from the title and abstract to the methods, results, discussion, and references—emphasizing the purpose and importance of every part. By breaking down the structure, participants gain a clear understanding of how research is presented, interpreted, and evaluated.
• The Journal Club also focuses on teaching practical appraisal skills, including the use of validated assessment tools, identifying potential sources of bias, and assessing the credibility and applicability of findings. Students are introduced to key concepts such as study design strengths and weaknesses, statistical interpretation, levels of evidence, and ethical considerations in research.
• Beyond critical appraisal, the club encourages open discussion, healthy debate, and peer-to-peer teaching. Articles are selected from a range of specialties, ensuring interdisciplinary exposure and broadening students’ perspectives on clinical research.
• The Journal Club aims to grow into a vibrant platform for cultivating analytical thinking, promoting evidence-based practice, and inspiring the next generation of clinician-researchers at MMC.

BAILEY’S LOVES

Bailey’s Loves – Surgical Society of Madras Medical College

• The society’s mission is twofold
  • To nurture a strong research culture in surgical specialties, encouraging students to explore evidence-based surgical practice and contribute to innovations in the field.
  • To equip students with essential surgical skills and awareness of the latest advancements through hands-on learning and interactive discussion.
• Planned activities include interactive workshops such as suturing, knot tying, and basic operative techniques, as well as sessions on surgical instrumentation, patient safety, and perioperative care. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical skill-building, the society aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-life surgical exposure.
• Through guest lectures, case discussions, and skill-based competitions, Bailey’s Loves aspires to create a vibrant community of students passionate about surgery—preparing them not only for their clinical years, but also for future surgical training and research

Research Day

• On April 12, 2024, Madras Medical College hosted its inaugural Research Day, celebrating the institution’s rich research culture and commitment to innovation in healthcare. The event brought together students, faculty, and eminent guests to share ideas, showcase discoveries, and build collaborations.
• Chief Guest The occasion was graced by Dr. Rajiv Bahl, MD, PhD, Secretary to the Government of India, Department of Health Research, and Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), whose presence underscored the national significance of fostering research in medical education.
• Event Highlights
  • Strategic Collaboration: A formal partnership was signed with IIT Madras to enable interdisciplinary projects, technology exchange, and advanced research training.
  • Research Showcases: Over 70 oral and poster presentations spanning clinical, para-clinical, and basic sciences offered a platform for young researchers to present original studies and innovative ideas.
  • Workshops & Training: Pre-event workshops on Research Methodology and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) equipped participants with the skills to conduct ethical, high-quality research.
  • Awards & Recognition: Excellence in publications and extramural research was honoured, inspiring the next generation of clinician-scientists.
• The day fostered meaningful academic exchange, highlighted MMC’s research potential, and reinforced its vision of integrating clinical excellence with cutting-edge investigation. By bridging academia, industry, and government, Research Day 2024 laid the groundwork for transformative, collaborative healthcare research in India.

ICMR STS

ICMR – Short Term Studentship (STS)

• The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Short Term Studentship (STS) program is a prestigious national initiative aimed at fostering research skills among undergraduate medical students. Open exclusively to students in their 1st and 2nd years of MBBS, the program provides a unique opportunity to conceive, design, and execute a research project under faculty guidance—laying the foundation for evidence-based medical practice early in their careers.
• At Madras Medical College, participation in ICMR STS has grown steadily in recent years. In 2024, the college recorded 56 submissions with 13 approvals—one of the highest approval counts across the country. In 2025, submissions rose to 65, with results currently awaited.
• The STS program not only develops essential research methodology skills, but also cultivates critical thinking, academic writing proficiency, and a deeper understanding of the scientific process. It stands as one of the most effective platforms for encouraging undergraduate students to take their first step into the world of medical research.

Scientific Events

1. Intro to Research by Dr Sasidaran Kandasamy and Dr Aruna Rajendran

This session introduced participants to the fundamentals of Research Methodology, including formulating a hypothesis, designing a study and navigating ethical approvals. Practical guidance on initiating research projects and avoiding common pitfalls was provided.

2. Critical Communication Skills session according to MRCP format by Dr E. Theranirajan.

This informative session focused on developing concise and effective communication skills in a medical setting, structured around the MRCP format. A clinical case discussion on Dengue was included to illustrate key communication techniques in patient care and academic presentations.

3. Case Presentation

Case Presentation - As a part of Genesis 2024, participants presented cases under 6 different categories - Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynaecology, ENT and Ophthalmology.

4. Symposium

Symposium - Each team presented a short symposium on a topic from one of the following subjects General Surgery, General Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Paediatrics. Each presentation was followed by a question and answer session by the judges

5. Research Paper Presentation -Oral, Poster and Protocol

Research Paper Presentation -Oral, Poster and Protocol - As a part of Genesis 2024 participants presented their research work to an audience of peers, faculty, and invited experts. The event provided an opportunity to showcase findings, receive constructive feedback, and refine presentation skills in a competitive yet supportive environment.

6. IICAQM Scientific Conference on Air Quality at IIT Madras

Students attended the Indian International Conference on Air Quality Management (IICAQM) at IIT Madras, which featured experts from multiple disciplines. The event covered cutting-edge research on air pollution monitoring, control strategies, and public health impacts, and provided a platform for networking with leading researchers.

7. Intro to Research - Choosing a Research question.

This session guided students through the process of identifying and refining a viable research question. It addressed how to align research interests with feasibility, available resources, and relevance to current medical challenges, and included practical examples from various specialties.

8. ICMR STS doubt clearance session for the batch of 2024

 

This dedicated session provided guidance for students applying to the Indian Council of Medical Research Short-Term Studentship (ICMR STS) program. It covered eligibility criteria, proposal writing and submission guidelines, while addressing individual queries from participants.

9. Session on Clinical Genomics

The Scientific Society of Madras Medical College hosted an engaging session introducing undergraduates to the world of genomics. Dr. Sridhar Sivasubbu, Chief Diagnostic and Research Officer at Karkinos Healthcare Ltd., spoke on “Personal Genomes to Precision Medicine”, emphasising personalised treatment approaches, and delivered a fascinating talk on “Zebrafish Genomics”, showcasing its role in disease modelling and drug discovery.

Dr. Radha Mahadevan, Professor of Neurology at KMC, presented “Population-Based Neurogenomics – A Case Study”, highlighting how large-scale genomic data advances understanding of neurological disorders. The session offered a comprehensive overview of genomics from patient-specific applications to research models, sparking curiosity and interest among budding doctors.

Revelations - The Research Quiz

• Revelations is an innovative research-themed quiz competition designed to test and expand the knowledge of undergraduate medical students in the field of scientific inquiry. First launched in 2024 as part of GENESIS ’24, the event quickly became a highlight for students passionate about research and its applications in medicine.
• The quiz features four engaging rounds, covering
  • General Research Methodology – testing foundational concepts and best practices.
  • Scenario-Based Questions – applying research knowledge to real-world situations.
  • Biostatistics – interpreting data and statistical results.
  • Ethics – addressing dilemmas and standards in medical research.
  • Rapid Fire Round – a high-energy test of recall and quick thinking.
• In its debut year, Revelations ’24 saw participation from over 30 teams, reflecting a strong enthusiasm for research among undergraduates. By combining competition with education, the quiz aims to foster a deeper understanding of research principles while making learning interactive, challenging, and fun.