Transcript FOSTR: Focus on Student Research

Biomedical Research:
Opportunities and Benefits
Merry L. Lindsey, Ph.D.
Interim Asst Dean for Med Student Research Programs
[email protected]
567-0611
Della Fritz, Assistant
[email protected]
Research
An organized, systematic investigation to
–Discover new facts
–Develop new theories or challenge
accepted theories in light of new facts
–Apply knowledge for practical use
Types of Research
Basic Science –
Seeks to discover
new knowledge; may not
directly focus on
improved human health
Translational –
Applies clinical research
Findings to basic science
questions
Translational –
Applies Basic Science findings
to human health
Clinical Science –
Involves research with
humans or human samples
Successful Research Projects
•
•
•
•
Originate with a question
Have clear and achievable goals
Follow a specific plan of procedure
Divide the principal problem into manageable
sub-problems
TEACH YOU TO THINK, NOT JUST
MEMORIZE FACTS
Why do Research in Medical School?
• The practice of medicine is based on
knowledge obtained through
research
• All students should understand and
appreciate the research process
• Some students will seek careers in
research
Practical benefits
• Mentoring relationships
• Residency applications
• Loan repayment support for clinicianinvestigators
• Unique learning opportunity
• Chance to make a difference
• Opportunity to be part of a team
• Opportunity to apply what you learn in class
UTHSCSA Medical Student
Research Opportunities
Medical Student Summer Research Program
–provides stipend to do full-time
mentored research during the summer
break after first year
–5-8 weeks in duration
–$250/week
UTHSCSA Medical Student
Research Opportunities
Medical Student Summer Research Program
– Applications due :
Jan 15, 2010
– Information is available on the School of Medicine
website: http://som.uthscsa.edu/research,
including
• List of Mentors
• Selection Criteria
• Program Guidelines
UTHSCSA Medical Student
Research Opportunities
– Since 2002 > 200 students have received
stipends
– Recent funding history
• 2004 – 26 students
• 2005 – 31 students
• 2006 – 47 students
• 2007 – 58 students
• 2008 – 52 students
• 2009 – 50 students
MD with Distinction in Research
• Program in its 4th year
• Provides UTHSCSA medical students with an
opportunity to do sustained mentored work in
basic, clinical, translational or social sciences
• Students must commit to a minimum of
4 months during medical school
– First 8 weeks usually occur in the Medical
Student Summer Research Program
– Additional time spent in electives and
during free time
MD with Distinction in Research
• MD with Distinction in Research Committee
meets twice a year to review application
• Students may apply Jan 15 & May 15 of their
1st or 2nd yr
• Must apply by end of 2nd year
http://som.uthscsa.edu/research
• List of Mentors
• Selection Criteria
• Program Guidelines
MD with Distinction in Research
 Application includes
 Project description
 Time-line
 Mentoring plan written by the faculty mentor
 Project done under the mentorship of UTHSCSA
faculty member
 Research completed by the student prior to
entering medical school does not count
MD with Distinction in Research
 Program Requirements
 Students in good academic standing (minimum
GPA of 3.25)
 Research log of time spent (verified by mentor)
 Progress report every 6 months
 Approved manuscript written by the student
(first author)
MD with Distinction in Research
• Students who apply for the MD with
Distinction in Research Program on or before
the deadline for the Medical Student Summer
Research Program will automatically have
their application considered for a summer
stipend
• This avoids having to write two different
applications for the same project
MD with Distinction in Research
• 25 students are in the Program
• 3 students have completed the Program
Choosing a Research Mentor
• Start early!
• Established record of research accomplishment
– Peer-reviewed publications
– Extramural funding
• Time and interest in trainee
• Personal considerations
• Consider more than one mentor
Medical Student Research Day
• October 6, 2009
• Poster presentations required for students
who participate in research programs
• Any medical student may participate,
including current MS1’s
– Any research project may be presented
– Medical Dean’s Office will pay for costs of
preparing the poster
Extended Opportunities
• Howard Hughes Medical Institute Programs
– HHMI-NIH Research Scholars “Cloister” Program
• Doris Duke Research Fellowship
• NIH Fogarty International Center/Ellison
Medical Foundation Fellowships
• UTHSCSA MD/PhD Program
HHMI Programs
• Spend a year working in a research team at
the NIH campus in Bethesda
• Housing provided at the Mary Woodard Lasker
Center for Health Research and Education
• NIH lectures are plentiful (10-20 in any given
day are offered)
• Apply after 2nd or 3rd year (by mid-Jan)
• http://www.hhmi.org/research/cloister/
Doris Duke Fellowship for Medical Students
• Designed to encourage medical students to pursue
careers in clinical research
• Available at one of 12 medical schools
• Offers an experience in clinical research that has
didactic and research components
• Accepts 60 students per year (5 per school)
• Application deadline – mid January
• http://www.ddcf.org
NIH Fogarty International Center/
Ellison Medical Foundation Fellowships
• Designed to give medical students a chance to
experience clinical research training in a developing
country at an NIH-funded research center (25-30
fellowships awarded each year)
• Must have completed basic science coursework and a
year of clinical clerkships
• Each fellowship is for 1 year, beginning in July
• Stipends at $18,000 to $20,000 per year and $6,000
for travel, insurance and educational materials
• Applications due in December of the year prior to
beginning fellowship
UTHSCSA MD/PhD Program
Targeting students entering medical school, but
established students can apply
• Program Director is Martin Adamo, PhD
(Biochemistry)
What Additional Training is Needed
for a Career in Biomedical Research?
• Some residencies combine research and
clinical training
• Examples here at UTHSCSA
–Surgery
–Neurosurgery
–Radiation Sciences/Radiology
What Additional Training is Needed
for a Career in Biomedical Research?
• For most people, a fellowship is needed
• Usually these combine clinical and research
training
• Even after a fellowship, additional training is
needed:
– Post-doctoral training
– Mentored Career Awards
What Additional Training is Needed
for a Career in Biomedical Research?
• Some institutions have programs for junior
faculty to obtain a Master’s degree or PhD in
basic/translational or clinical science
– Here at UTHSCSA we have a program
funded by NIH that leads to a Masters
Degree in Clinical Investigation
– A PhD program is currently being planned
NIH Repayment Program for MD’s in
Biomedical Research Careers
• Eligibility Requirements
– US Citizen or permanent resident
– 50% effort conducting research
– Clinical research supported by non-profit
institution or US government agency (federal,
state or local)
– Total qualifying loan debt equal to or in excess of
20% of institutional base salary
– Agree to perform 2 years of clinical research after
completion of program
– Institutional statement assuring research support
Interdisciplinary Research
• Mode of research by teams that integrates
information, data, techniques, tools,
perspectives, concepts and/or theories from
two or more disciplines to solve problems
whose solutions are beyond the scope of a
single discipline
Clinical and Translational
Science Award (CTSA)
• $26 million grant from NIH to support
research infrastructure for doing clinical and
translational research
• 150 people worked together to put the
application together
• Institute for Integration of Medicine and
Science (IIMS) created to serve as the
academic home for the CTSA program
UTHSCSA VP
for Research
Community
Advisory Board
Council
of Deans
External
Advisory
Board
IIMS Director: Dr. Robert
- Pilot and Collaborative Studies
- Ethics
Governance Advisory Council
Clark
IIMS Deputy Director: Dr. Robin
- Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
Research Education
and Training Director,
Dr. Michael
Lichtenstein
Directors for:
- Translational PhD
- Masters Degree
- Junior faculty
Research Support
Director,
Dr. Robin Brey
Directors for:
- Informatics
- Biostatistics
- Regulatory Issues
- Methodologies
Development
- Technologies &
Resources
Presidents/CEOs of CTSA Partners
Clinical/Translational Scientists
Community Advisory Board Chair
Council of Deans Chair
Brey
Clinical Research
Infrastructure and
Community Engagement
Director
Dr. Ken
Hargreaves
Directors for:
- Adult CRC
-Pediatric CRC
-Community
Engagement
Try research if you:
• Want to be intellectually challenged
• Want to work closely with a faculty member
• Are thinking about a career in academic
medicine
• Are not thinking about a career in academic
medicine
• Want to be a better doctor