Surgeon Scientist Accelerator Track

Our residency programs include two years of protected Academic Development Time (ADT) for scientific research. It’s a unique feature of our training that allows residents to dive deeper into relevant academic interests. It can be challenging to maintain momentum on projects once clinical training resumes, and the program aims to remove barriers to research progress.

Program Goals:

• Promote research continuity with the assistance of a full-time technician
• Increase research productivity for basic science trainees
• Encourage trainees to move toward autonomy
• Develop mentorship and leadership skills

CBATS invites residents in the basic and translational sciences who are in their second year of ADT to apply for the support of a full-time technician to support their research for one year while they complete their clinical work.

Before returning to clinical training, residents will train the technician, who will work solely toward completion of the resident’s work and initiate new projects as possible. Residents may apply for a second year of technician support if needed.

Residents in the program will draft the technician’s job description and interview candidates. They are responsible for training the technician in the approach to their research to an independent level within six months. After returning to clinical training, the resident should communicate at least weekly with the technician and monthly with their mentor.

Residents need to set realistic goals for research with both their mentor and technician and provide constructive, respectful guidance to the technician. They will compile a progress report every six months and a summary of the work at the end of the program.

Mentors assist the resident in evaluating technicians, and provide space, equipment, and supplies necessary for completion of research. Additionally, mentors will provide advice and assistance while guiding the resident toward autonomy, with ownership over the completion of the project.

1. Scientific Proposal: The proposal should include an aims page followed by a proposal of not more than five pages describing the resident’s progress to date, planned projects to be accomplished with technician support, and expected outcomes of this work. An expected timeline of progress should be included. Applicants should describe how this program will help forward their development overall and provide a description of their proposed research career agenda.
2. Communication Plan: Outline plans for at least weekly communication with technician and at least monthly communication with mentor. Use of productivity apps, such as Slack, and virtual communication, such as Zoom, is encouraged. Outline a plan for inclusion of the technician within the current social-distancing framework/schedule of the lab.
3. Letter of Support from Mentor
4. Current CV of Applicant

Proposals will be reviewed by the CBATS Steering Committee and the top three proposals and steering committee recommendations presented to Department of Surgery chair Dr. Justin B. Dimick for final approval. Feedback on proposals will be provided to all applicants.

Submit applications to Dr. Timothy Frankel, CBATS Director, at [email protected].