biomedical research: opportunities and benefits merry l. lindsey, ph.d. interim asst dean for med...
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Biomedical Research: Opportunities and Benefits
Merry L. Lindsey, Ph.D.Interim Asst Dean for Med Student Research [email protected]
Della Fritz, [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 Basic Science findings
to human health
Clinical Science – Involves research with
humans or human samples
Translational – Applies clinical research
Findings to basic science questions
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 clinician-
investigators• 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
Directors for:- Informatics- Biostatistics- Regulatory Issues- Methodologies Development- Technologies & Resources
Clinical Research Infrastructure and
Community Engagement Director
Dr. Ken Hargreaves
Directors for:- Adult CRC-Pediatric CRC-Community Engagement
Research Education and Training Director,
Dr. Michael Lichtenstein
Directors for:- Translational PhD- Masters Degree- Junior faculty
IIMS Director: Dr. Robert Clark - Pilot and Collaborative Studies - Ethics
IIMS Deputy Director: Dr. Robin Brey - Single Point of Contact (SPOC)
Governance Advisory Council
Presidents/CEOs of CTSA PartnersClinical/Translational Scientists
Community Advisory Board Chair Council of Deans Chair
UTHSCSA VPfor Research
Research Support Director,
Dr. Robin Brey
CommunityAdvisory Board
Councilof Deans
ExternalAdvisory
Board
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