Research Track residents will receive comprehensive research training by participating in didactic coursework and other learning opportunities outside the laboratory. They will obtain knowledge in
- ethics/ responsible conduct of research
- biostatistics and study design
- career development/ leadership
- communication of research findings
- scientific writing
- individualized coursework specific to the field of study.
The didactic portion of the curriculum incorporates a variety of OSU programs available through the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) and the Office of Physician-Scientist Training and Education.
We offer our residents a total of 16 months of protected time for research. Service requirements are reduced in a manner to allow time to pursue research. As appropriate, protected time can be scheduled in blocks (basic science research) or as a longitudinal experience (translational or clinical research). Residents broaden their experience through didactic lectures, practical workshops on biostatistics, grant writing and manuscript writing and direct involvement in ongoing research projects under the guidance and mentorship of a senior investigator. Ongoing support and guidance from faculty leaders and scientific mentors provide a rich, supportive learning environment for residents’ as they progress through the program.
Research tracks
PGY-III and PGY-IV research track residents will be required to present results of their research project in poster format. Judges will review all posters based on scientific merit and presentation skills.
PGY-IV research track residents will be required to present their research at Grand Rounds in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health. This will give them an opportunity to learn how to communicate their research findings to a mixed scientific and clinical audience.
We will require research-track residents to submit an abstract to a national meeting in their final year of residency training (American College of Neuropsychopharmacology [ACNP], the Society for Neuroscience [SFN], the Society of Biological Psychiatry [SOBP], and the American Society of Clinical Psychopharmacology [ASCP]. Attendance of meetings is pivotal for their scientific development and provides them an opportunity get critical feedback for their research project, to get a broader snapshot of cutting-edge scientific developments relevant to their field, and to network with other scientists.
Research Track Lunch is a monthly seminar series with all research track trainees that covers a diverse set of topics. Attendance of 70% of the seminars will be required for PGY-II to PGY-IV residents; PGY-I residents interested in research are invited to attend.
We invite program faculty to discuss important considerations for residents interested in a career as a physician-scientist. These topics include:
- The mentor-mentee relationship, and how to most effectively take advantage of a mentorship team.
- How to determine a realistic scope for a research project during residency training.
- We address common misconceptions about working in an academic environment and a physician-scientists’ lifestyle.
- We discuss academic promotion within the institution, giving a clear timeline for an actual academic career path.
- We invite junior and senior research faculty to reflect on their career path.
- Given the reality that extensive debt burdens can limit the ability of young physicians to choose careers in research, we will also invite junior and senior researchers to educate residents on financial and lifestyle issues. We discuss benefit packages, performance incentives, prospects for moonlighting, and the NIH loan repayment program as opportunities to bridge the gap between earning potential in academic vs private practice settings.
- Residents get an opportunity to present “practice runs” of presentations of their work at local and national conferences. Peer feedback will be an essential component of these practice runs.
As part of the lunch seminar, we will have a workshop each year that will be taught by senior faculty members. This workshop will cover a broad range of topics, including (
- how to search for available positions,
- how to respond to job advertisements
- how to craft an effective curriculum vitae and research statement,
- how to prepare for a job interview, and
- what skills are needed to successfully compete for a postdoctoral or faculty position.