Description

A funded research opportunity for 1 to 2 years (preferred) for an interested current categorical surgical resident or medical resident. The StARR (R38) grant is an NIH funded research. It is a wonderful opportunity in that all salary and benefits are covered, in addition to research funding (about 10k per year). The R38 research fellows are then eligible to apply for K38 career development award through NIH when they become consultants. K38 is less competitive than other K-Awards because only R38 awardees are eligible to apply. Hence, if a surgical resident is interested in an academic career, this grant is a great opportunity. The research needs to be in the fields of heart (and vascular), lung, hematologic (blood) and sleep disorders:

Myung S. Park, M.D., M.S. is a trauma/critical care surgeon and laboratorian with postdoctoral training in clinical research design and analysis, and protein chemistry of coagulation. Dr. Park conducts case-cohort studies that utilize the Rochester Epidemiology Project and is currently the Director of Clinical Research Trials Unit ( CRTU ) of the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCaTS). Dr. Park's research interest is to study the effects of patients' comorbidities and injury pattern to predict venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, in her laboratory, Dr. Park focuses on evaluating a variety of biomarkers, which may help predict patients who may go on to develop these complications during hospitalization and after discharge. She has colleagues within CCaTS and a statistical team to assist with AI based VTE risk modeling, an ongoing murine polytrauma study and proteomic study looking at procoagulant and inflammatory proteins). She works with various companies to spearhead sample analyses which have not been done in trauma population and is spearheading this effort and is considered a national expert in trauma-induced coagulopathy. Dr. Park is also a chartered member of study section at NIH (HTBT) and has experience in writing/reviewing grant applications. The research fellow will be given opportunity to write and first-author manuscripts, mentored on how to design a study, write grant applications and interact closely with research coordinators, research technologists and statisticians and PhD colleagues weekly. In essence, the fellow will gain an understanding of work needed to run a translational lab and teamwork needed to accomplish study goals. Dr. Park receives research funding from the National Institutes of Health. It is a lot of work to be a translational scientist, but an opportunity to learn the “nuts and bolts” will help the fellow be competent in designing a study in any specialty.

 Based on candidate’s interests, we can tailor some of the research projects, i.e. co-mentorship with other consultants within Department i.e. Pediatric Surgery.

Application: The application requires:

• Curriculum vitae
• Official graduate school/medical school transcripts
• A prior research experience statement
• Three letters of reference and and accompanying evaluation forms directly to the StARR PDs/PIs; one letter of reference should come from the applicant’s residency program director
• A detailed personal statement outlining the applicant’s interest in a career in the research fields of heart (and vascular), lung, hematologic (blood) and sleep disorders.

Requirements

StARR Trainee Guidelines:

This section establishes expectations and important activities for the StARR trainee that will foster and help establish a base for independent research and a successful career in biomedical research.

Objectives of StARR Training:

• Obtain the necessary training and experiences during mentored-based research as a Physician Scientist.
• Publish first author papers and present at peer attended meetings.
• Develop grant-writing skills through mentoring with the expectation that all StARR trainees will write one grant application towards the end of the StARR research period or alternatively pursue K38 award for which a structured support for the application process will be provided by our Strategic Funding Office and guided by the StARR fellow's primary mentor.

Requirements:

• Presentation at departmental and/or institutional research seminars.
• Each StARR trainee and his/her mentor, chosen by the StARR Committee will present at selected meetings on Mayo Clinic campus.
• Presentation at departmental clinical seminars.
• StARR trainee's are expected to attend and participate in departmental clinical seminars. Presentation at these seminars number, on average, 3 or 4 per year.
• Complete evaluation of mentor at 1 and 2 years.
• Complete program evaluations at end of the StARR Program and respond to questionnaires from the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education.
• Meet with StARR program director, as needed, to discuss any problems or concerns and provide a means by which to resolve them. Also discuss achievements, future goals, and aspirations at the end of the StARR Program.

In summary, at the completion of the StARR Program, the trainee in combination with his or her mentor should be comfortable with the skills of grant writing and scientific publication, have a sound understanding of the relevant research environment, have an understanding of what is needed in a successful research career and have established a long-term project and career goals