The first student-led scientific project born in the International MD Program at UniSR shows what’s possible when students, faculty, and the entire university move together. 

What happens when medical students ask big questions? At UniSR, they create research projects that become real, publishable science. Uni4Me is the first scientific initiative conceived, designed, and carried out entirely by students from the International Medical Doctor Program (IMDP) — and it started in a classroom. 

UniSR International MD Program offers a rigorous academic curriculum integrated with hands-on clinical training in one of Europe’s leading research hospitals

Uni4Me was born from a simple question: What is the level of heavy metals in the blood of healthy, young people with no symptoms? A group of third-year IMDP students, after a lecture on clinical pathology, began to wonder about this issue when one shared a personal story — his mother had elevated mercury levels found during a routine check-up. Inspired, the class approached their professor, Chiara Di Resta, Full Professor of Clinical Pathology, and began what would become a university-wide collaboration. 

Unlike typical research projects, which start in labs or clinics, Uni4Me started from student curiosity. With full support from faculty, administration, hospital staff, and governance, the project came to life. It became a living demonstration of UniSR’s belief: the student is at the center. 

At its core, Uni4Me is a demonstration of what happens when students are empowered not just to learn science — but to do it. The project redefines the educational model, showing how a medical curriculum can host real-world, student-led research with clinical and public health relevance. 

As medical education continues to evolve, UniSR’s IMDP provides a powerful example of what’s possible: that with mentorship, resources, and institutional belief, students can design meaningful studies, contribute to scientific knowledge, and shape the future of healthcare — starting right from their classroom. 

From Idea to Impact 

The project aimed to investigate the blood concentration of seven heavy metals in IMDP students — a population diverse in geographic origin and environmental exposure. Over 150 students volunteered to participate in the study. 

Blood samples were collected twice: once at the end of the academic year, and again 10 days after summer break. Each sampling was paired with complete blood counts and lifestyle questionnaires (including habits like smoking, fish consumption, hair dye use, or milk intake). Lab work was performed in OSR's clinical lab, and all samples were stored in the OSR BioBank. 

But Uni4Me isn’t just about lab tests. It is a community effort. Students created logos, flyers, reels, and videos to recruit participants. They presented the project to every IMDP class, developed informative Instagram content, and explained the research in peer-friendly ways. In short: they did science, communication, recruitment, and project management. 

More Than Data 

Uni4Me has already resulted in published articles and three undergraduate and graduate theses. It has sparked conversation about environmental health, the importance of preventive screening, and how lifestyle and geographic origin may impact heavy metal exposure. Some results showed expected trends (like smoking associated with cadmium and lead), while others were more surprising (milk appearing to have a protective effect against heavy metals). 

But most importantly, Uni4Me proved that at UniSR, students don’t have to wait to do real science. They just need an idea — and the university community will move mountains to make it happen. 

A Model for Student-Centered Science 

Uni4Me is not just about metals — it’s about giving students the tools and trust to turn questions into research, and research into change.