Biomedical Research: Opportunities and Benefits Merry L. Lindsey, Ph.D. Interim Asst Dean for Med Student Research Programs [email protected] 567-0611.

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