1. Barbara Kazmierczak, MD PhD April 4, 2017
Choosing and applying for research residencies and fellowships: paths to basic, translational and research careers for physician-scientists
Barbara Kazmierczak, MD PhD
April 4, 2017

2. The arc of a research career
Predoctoral student
Learn how to breakdown a research question into experimentally tractable units.
Learn how to structure, carry out and analyze experiments.
Learn how to present your results in the context of the field.
(Medical training)
Postdoctoral scientist
Identify important questions in your field.
Establish unique expertise in your field.
Generate data supporting grant applications & papers.
Recruit, train and mentor a team.
Get a job.

3. Research Residencies: the ABIM Research Pathway as an example
Planning: must occur in PGY-1, and ABIM needs to be notified in PGY-2.
Needs the support of the residency program director.
Must satisfactorily complete 24 months of accredited categorical internal medicine training, with a minimum of 20 months involving direct patient care responsibility.

4. Short-tracking
Research residency training can be combined with clinical subspecialty training.
In this case, the minimum full-time clinical training required for the subspecialty is also required for certification through the research pathway.
24 months: Cardiology
18 months: GI
Heme/Onc
Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine
Rheumatology/Allergy & Immunology
12 months: All others

5. Ground rules
In every case, at least 3 years of research training at 80% effort is required.
The last year of research may be done as part of a full-time faculty position, but 80% research time is required.
If research training is done as part of internal medicine, 20% of each year must be spent in clinical experiences including ½ day/week continuity clinic.
If research training is done during subspecialty, at least ½ day/week must be spent in an ambulatory clinic.

15. Variables to consider when applying to PSTP programs
Many, but not all short track programs want you to know what “subspecialty” you are interested in pursuing.
The commitment from the program is conditional: you have to do well as an intern and resident to move forward into your fellowship year.
Your commitment is usually not binding: you can change institution between specialty and subspecialty training (by entering the subspecialty match as a PGY-2).
Flexibility in choosing a research mentor is usually high, but may be determined by where the $$ come from to pay your salary as a research fellow. (T32 administered by section or dept. vs institutional funds to a fellow vs postdoc mentor vs individual fellowship).

19. Research training in surgical sub-specialties: a program-by-program situation
Example: Johns Hopkins Department of Surgery

20. Access to Physician Scientist Training Programs (PSTP)
Northwestern University

21. Neurology: program-by-program opportunities

22. Psychiatry: NIMH (R25) Research Education Programs supporting Psychiatry residents

23. NIMH R25 funded programs

24. OB/GYN Ophthalmology Anesthesiology
Pathology
Radiology
OB/GYN Ophthalmology Anesthesiology
Radiation Oncology…

25. Will I go broke doing science?

26. MDs doing research are likely to be paid more than PhDs—but not always
NIH T32/NRSA
Yale DOM resident salaries

27. Research for the MD: How do I pay off my student loans?

30. Questions? Comments? Discussion….