Fellowships
Academic Development
All fellows participate in the Research and Academic Skills Curriculum provided through the Department's Child Health Research Center, directed by Dr. Kurt Albertine, Department of Pediatrics. The following courses comprise this curriculum.
Scientific Lecturing: This seminar series provides instruction and group practice in the art of scientific lecturing.
Scientific Writing: This seminar series provides instruction in preparing scientific abstracts and papers. This goal is met by discussion of reading and homework assignments and by creation and submission of a new, original scientific paper in the trainee’s area of expertise.
Scientific Integrity and the Ethics of Research: Taught by Drs. Leslie Francis, Professor of Law and Philosophy, and Jeff Botkin, Professor of Pediatrics, this seminar-discussion series covers the following topics: 1) scientific misconduct; 2) university policies regarding scientific misconduct; 3) research integrity and conflicts of interest; 4) authorship and editorial policies; and 5) ethical issues posed by human and animal research and the University policies regarding such research. Trainees learn how to prepare IRB and IACUC applications and obtain HIPAA authorizations. Readings are drawn from Science, Nature, JAMA, and The New England Journal of Medicine. The curriculum fulfills federal requirements regarding instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research.
Research in Progress: Fellows attend the Department of Pediatrics Research in Progress seminar held weekly from September through May annually. All fellows have the opportunity to present their clinical or laboratory research results annually at this seminar.
Child Health Research Center (CHRC)
The CHRC serves as a catalyst for developing productive research partnerships between clinicians and basic scientists, each of whom have unique qualities important for solving the difficult problems associated with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases in children. Fellows and junior faculty in pediatrics are partnered with basic scientists in cell biology, genetics, developmental biology, molecular biology, cancer research and neurobiology, who serve as colleagues and mentors. An internal advisory board, consisting of eminent scientists and talented junior faculty at the University of Utah, monitors the trainees progress and provides guidance and support. An external advisory board, consisting of nationally prominent basic scientists and physician-scientists, ensures that national standards for training and scientific research are being met, and provides input into national trends. The CHRC provides an unique an exciting opportunity to train academic physicians who will be directly involved in translating advances in the understanding of basic science to improvements in the care of children.
Grant Writing
During their second year of training, fellows can attend the Department's grant writing workshop. The workshop focuses on the preparation of NIH-style proposals, covering specific aims, research design, and methods, including biostatistics. During the workshop trainees prepare original proposals and receive one-on-one feedback from senior faculty. Fellows can compete for Primary Children’s Medical Center Foundation Innovative Research Grants, an internal funding mechanism that provides up to $25,000 of research support annually for two years.
Mentoring
Individual Mentoring: In accordance with the American Board of Pediatrics requirements regarding mentoring during fellowship training, all fellows in Departmental Programs meet with their mentoring committee throughout their training. This committee is composed of faculty with expertise relevant to the fellow’s long term career objectives.
Mentoring Workshop: Every other year the Department of Pediatrics holds a mentoring workshop. All fellows attend, along with Division Directors, faculty, and mentors. The goals of this workshop are to provide trainees and mentors with the tools necessary to maximize their training experiences. The workshop includes lively panel-audience discussions regarding authorship, intellectual property, and research ethics.
Research Symposium
The Department, in conjunction with the Utah Child Health Research Career Development program, sponsors an annual retreat focusing on the research programs of Departmental faculty, fellows, and residents. All trainees have the opportunity to present their research in oral or poster format. Pediatric physician-scientists with exemplary research careers speak at this conference.
