NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH
Triangle Clinical Research Fellowship in Reproductive Health


TRIANGLE CLINICAL RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP in REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH (TECT)

Funded by National Institutes of Health

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2009-2011 until May 1, 2009  

The Program : A two-year post-doctoral program designed for obstetrician-gynecologists to learn clinical research and advanced epidemiology methods. Fellows will conduct research in an academically rigorous and supportive environment. Faculty and mentors come from the University of North Carolina, Duke University, and Family Health International (led by Joanne Garrett, PhD; Evan Myers, MD, MPH; and David Grimes, MD, respectively).

Primary Content Focus: Reproductive health and contraceptive research.

Program Goals: 1) To develop the skills needed to become a self-sustaining professional in women’s health research and 2) to expand the number of researchers in obstetrics and gynecology in academia, international health organizations, public health agencies and industry.

Educational Training : Fellows typically earn a MPH or MS in Clinical Research from the Department of Epidemiology, UNC School of Public Health, or a MHS from Duke University. Alternatively, if an applicant already has a master’s degree, they may opt for a certificate program in such areas as Global Health, Health Disparities, or Medical Ethics.

The curriculum is designed to enhance research career skills. Courses have been tailored specifically for clinicians, and provide a strong foundation for conducting methodologically rigorous research. Areas of study include: clinical epidemiology, biostatistics, design of clinical research, and selected topics such as global health, health disparities, medical ethics, health policy, and medical economics.

Submission of manuscripts, presentation of research findings at scientific meetings and seminars, and securing project funding are essential to the success of a researcher. By participating in forums and workshops, fellows polish their scientific writing, oral presentation, and proposal writing skills.

Mentoring: Each fellow works closely with a mentor to optimize the experience. Mentors are established senior investigators in women’s health research who are affiliated with three of the nation’s premier research institutions: University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Family Health International. Mentors provide comprehensive guidance for conducting research projects including: initial hypothesis development, securing protocol approval by the IRB, project implementation, and effectively communicating results to the research community.

Clinical mentors and additional resource faculty are actively involved in preparing each fellow for a successful career in clinical research. Mentors provide consultative expertise, career planning, and networking among the partnering institutions, and national and international organizations.

Time Commitment and Salary Support : Fellows will have a minimum of 75% protected time for research and academic studies, with 10-20% clinical time. A stipend and tuition support is provided.

Current Fellows

2007-2009
Sujatha "Suzie" Prabhakaran, MD
Vinita Goyal, MD
Laura Baecher, MD

2008-2010
Nicole Fanarjian, MD

Eligibility
Coursework is tailored to provide a strong foundation for conducting methodologically rigorous research. Topics of study include: clinical Epidemiology, biostatistics, design of clinical research, and selected topics in social sciences, medical ethics, health policy, and medical economics.

The curriculum is designed to enhance academic career skills. Submission of manuscripts, presenting research findings at scientific meetings and seminars, and securing project funding are essential to the success of a researcher. By participating in forums and workshops fellows polish their scientific writing, oral presentation, and proposal writing skills.

Each fellow works closely with a mentor to optimize the experience. Mentors are established senior investigators in women's health research who are affiliated with three of the nation's premier research institutions: UNC, Duke University, and Family Health International. They provide comprehensive guidance for conducting research projects including: initial hypothesis development, securing protocol approval by the IRB, project implementation, and effectively communicating results to the research community.

Clinical mentors and additional resource faculty are actively involved in preparing each fellow for a successful career in clinical research. They are committed to providing consultative expertise and career planning as well as serving as a resource for expanding each trainee's circle of contacts among the partnering institutions.

Application Process
If you meet the eligibility requirements and wish to be considered for the 2008 fellowship, please submit an application packet that includes a current curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation (including one from your current program director or department chair) and a one-page personal statement describing your research interests and how these interests relate to reproductive health and contraception.

Personal statements should summarize the following:

• Previous research experience
• Prior training in Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Health Economics, Clinical Evaluative Studies, and other related training
• Your long-term career goals and how this program will help you fulfill these goals.

Please mail your application packet to:
Triangle Clinical Research Fellowship
c/o Grace Fulton
Duke University Medical Center, Box 3192
Durham, NC 27710

Applications will be considered as they arrive and interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.

Concurrent application to a graduate degree program i.e., MPH, MS, PhD in the UNC School of Public Health is required. The deadline for application to the School of Public Health is January 1 for the following fall semester for competitive funding consideration. For information about applying, please see:
Carolina School of Public Health


Additional Information
For additional information please email us your questions to:
grace.fulton@duke.edu or call 919-681-9744

Please include your mailing address, email address, and phone number.

The Triangle Clinical Research Fellowship is supported by National Institutes of Health, National Research Service Award number 5T32 HD040672-08 from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.