Research Rotations

In addition to clinical training, all fellows are afforded protected, two-month time blocks in each year of training that is dedicated entirely to research activities. Fellows have the opportunity to implement research projects in a variety of realms, including clinical studies, bench research, quality improvement, and medical education. Trainees generally work with faculty mentors within the Division of Digestive Diseases; however, mentors within the Department of Medicine, the Department of Surgery, the Cincinnati VA Medical Center, and at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital are available if interest arises.  The fellowship strives to help trainees cultivate an understanding of basic statistics, outcomes, epidemiology, and study design.

Additional unique training opportunities available to fellows include:

• Academic Research Services (ARS): This program, which is sponsored by the Department of Internal Medicine is designed to assist trainees with refining primary content of grants; helping with timelines, tables and graphics; providing unbiased outside reviews; bibliography generation; running basic statistics and help arranging for referral to a biostatistician; proofing grants, abstracts, manuscripts; helping with the grant review process; preparing IRB protocols, consents, etc.; preparing IACUC protocols; and compliance with LAMS, IBC, IND/IDE, etc.
• Certificate in Clinical & Translational Research: a 10-credit hour program designed to provide an introduction to clinical and translational research. Classes can be completed during an 8-week research block or in one academic year.
• Center for Clinical and Translational Science and Training (CCTST): This collaborative effort among the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, UC Health and the Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center is a research resource and “academic home” for clinical and translational scientists and programs.
• Research 101: A set of modules designed to introduce trainees to multiple topics that are relevant to the conduct of research. The modules are offered asynchronously through Canvas. The fellows are required to complete the modules within the first 9 months of their fellowship. To learn more about Research 101 please visit CCTST Translational Workforce Development
• Monthly Division Research Meeting: The Division of Digestive Diseases hosts monthly research gatherings where faculty and fellows share their research concepts, receiving constructive feedback and critique from peers. Additionally, the division provides access to a biostatistician to aid in the design and implementation of research hypotheses and sample size determination.