Opportunities

Pediatric Cardiology Student Research Training Program

Core Program Goals

Acquire foundational knowledge in congenital and/or pediatric cardiology anatomy, diagnosis, treatments and outcomes. The specific focus of practice within the Heart Research Institute will be dictated by the trainee’s mentor from the below areas:
1. General pediatric cardiology (outpatient or inpatient)
2. Electrophysiology
3. Pediatric acquired heart disease
4. Interventional cardiology
5. Congenital cardiac/cardiothoracic surgery
6. Advanced imaging (echocardiography, cardiac MRI, cardiac CT)
7. Cardiac critical care medicine
Develop skills in data extraction, database creation and management (primarily in REDCap), and data quality control
Develop an understanding of ethical principles and regulations for human subjects research by participating in Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes
Gain a basic understanding of biostatistics as applied to clinical research, data analysis techniques and appropriate interpretation of statistical results
Gain experience in scientific writing through collaboration on abstracts submitted to international conferences and/or peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Tracks

There are three available program tracks for the Pediatric Cardiology Student Research Training Program. All tracks require in-person work and are not available remotely. Extensions or transitions to other tracks are granted only as indicated in the track description. These programs are not supported by a stipend. In limited circumstances, highly qualified applicants may be eligible for a stipend.

Three-Month Research Introduction Training Program

This program is designed to provide foundational knowledge and an introduction to pediatric cardiac research. This program is designed to be completed over the summer and is available to undergraduates, graduate students or medical students.

Time commitment: 10-20 hours a week
Curriculum:
- Onboarding:
  - HIPAA, IRB basics
  - Introduction to clinical subspecialty
  - Research project assignment (existing project defined by the mentor/PI)
- Data Collection
  - Training on data extraction and data management procedures
  - Data collection, primary focused on chart or image review
- Basic Data Analysis and Summary
  - Complete basic data analysis and provide a summary of results to the principal investigator (PI)/mentor
  - As time permits, contribute to completion of abstract or manuscript

Trainees in this track can apply Track C at the culmination of their training program. Continued in-person work is required. Transition to Track C is at the discretion of the director of the Heart Research Institute and director of Institute Research Administration.

6-Month Intensive Research Training Program

This program is designed for medical or doctorate students who are committed to completing a 6-month intensive, on-site training program during a planned break from medical school to develop a thesis or dissertation.

Time commitment: 20-30 hours a week
Curriculum:
- Onboarding:
  - HIPAA, IRB training
  - Clinical subspecialty training program including required observer/shadowing hours
  - Introduction to mentor’s research program
- Research Project Development:
  - Collaborate with mentor on the development of a research question and project
  - Completion of a literature review for the project
  - Design data collection forms and database
- Data Collection
  - Training on data extraction and data management procedures
  - Data collection, primary focused on chart or image review
  - Data quality control
- Basic Data Analysis and Summary
  - Complete basic data analysis
  - Collaborate with the assigned biostatistician to complete full data analysis, as necessary
  - Draft abstract or manuscript to be submitted to an international conference or peer-reviewed journal (first author)

Trainees in this track may not apply to another track immediately after completion of the program. However, they may apply for a program again after a six-month waiting period.

12-Month Research Training Program

This program is designed for medical students who are looking to gain experience in clinical research and are interested in completing a training program concurrent to their enrollment in medical school. Trainees will work on two to three projects over the course of their training with increasing independence.

Time commitment: 5-10 hours a week
Curriculum:
- Onboarding:
  - HIPAA, IRB training
  - Clinical subspecialty training program including required observer/shadowing hours
  - Introduction to mentor’s research program
- Initial Research Project:
  - Research project assignment (existing project defined by the mentor/PI)
  - Training on data extraction and data management procedures
  - Complete basic analysis and provide summary of results to PI
  - Collaborate on abstract or manuscript submission
- Research Project Development:
  - Collaborate with mentor on the development of a research question and project
  - Completion of a literature review for the project
  - Design data collection forms and database
  - Complete data collection
- Data Analysis
  - Collaborate with the assigned biostatistician to complete full data analysis, as necessary
  - Draft abstract or manuscript to be submitted to an international conference or peer-reviewed journal (first author)

Trainees in this track may apply for a one-time renewal of this training track immediately after completion of the program. Renewal is at the discretion of the director of the Heart Research Institute and director of Institute Research Administration based on performance. Trainee is responsible for proposing at least one independent research project to be completed during the renewal period; new training goals that build on the prior program will be determined by the PI/mentor.

Contact Us

Interested trainees should reach out to Alix Fetch, clinical research program manager, with any questions before applying to the program.