Vijay Shah, M.D., Gastroenterologist, Mayo Clinic Rochester and Co-director of the GI Fellowship NIH-Sponsored Track
If you are interested in a career with an even greater emphasis on medical research, a three-and-a-half-year track is offered. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) program prepares fellows for independent investigation careers in academic gastroenterology. Through an ongoing program with Mayo Clinic Rochester, the NIH funds two-year projects in clinical and bench research.
The overall objective of the NIH-sponsored track is to train highly qualified individuals for independent academic careers in research in the enteric and hepatic sciences. Mayo Clinic uses a multidisciplinary integrated approach, involving faculty representatives from clinical and basic disciplines.
This program, therefore, combines 24 months of dedicated research experience with 18 months of clinical training. Within this program, you may participate in patient-oriented research projects and obtain a clinical research master's degree or perform disease-oriented, laboratory-based investigation. Opportunities exist to work with faculty investigators from the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology or in other areas of Mayo Clinic.
Rotations
(A Representative NIH track Curriculum)
Clinical Training |
18 months |
Colonoscopy |
2 months |
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) |
1 months |
Liver Transplant Service |
1 month |
Bleeding Team |
2 months |
Complex Endoscopy |
1-1.5 months |
Nutrition |
.5 month |
Hepatobiliary Clinic |
2 months |
Pancreas Clinic |
.25 month |
Esophageal Clinic |
.25 month |
Colorectal Neoplasia Clinic |
.25 month |
Motility Clinic |
.5 month |
Miscellaneous GI testing |
.25 month |
Inflammatory Bowel Disease Clinic |
1 month |
GI Clinic |
.5 month |
Hospital consults |
2 months |
Hospital Primary Service |
2 months |
Elective |
1-1.5 months |
Research |
24 months |
Total Months: |
42 months |
*The actual curriculum may vary slightly among fellows and often changes from year-to-year based on feedback from faculty and fellows. |
Research
The primary objective of this research track is to better prepare fellows to function as independent research investigators. Since the awarding of the initial training grant in enteric sciences to Mayo in 1966, the objective of this program has been to provide in-depth research training to qualified individuals to prepare them for independent academic careers.
Trainees are introduced to a large number of investigative techniques which they are expected to understand, master and apply to their particular project under the close supervision of an established investigator and in conjunction with experienced research technicians and other research fellows supported by other sources. Independence is encouraged, creativity fostered, and emphasis given to a total research experience.
Although there have been modifications in faculty and facilities during the 38 years in which this training program has existed, the objective and general approach articulated above have remained unchanged. Indeed, the soundness of this approach is supported by the following general points:
- Nearly 65 percent of individuals who completed training in this program in the past 10 years hold full-time faculty positions at universities or medical schools.
- Many of these individuals have gone on to achieve prominence in academic gastroenterology, as evidenced by memberships on national or international committees, election to prestigious societies, and positions as directors of academic divisions or departments.
A Digestive Diseases, Multidisciplinary Training grant allows you to pursue
a focused research experience within digestive diseases, broadly
encompassing projects relative to cell biology, molecular biology,
physiology, or human investigations. Learn more
|
