Research Opportunities

Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-based Practice (C-STEP) Residency Position Available
Clinical Call Required?: Yes
Clinical Call Requirements: 3 call nights per month
Program Length: 2 years
Location: Houston, TX
Program Director: KuoJen Tsao
https://med.uth.edu/pediatricsurgery
Source of Support: Institutional Grants

Program Description: The Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-based Practice (C-STEP) is accepting applications for a 2-year clinical research fellowship beginning July 1, 2022. The program is established for surgical residents interested in a career in academic clinical research with a focus in pediatric surgery. Fellows will obtain a Master’s Degree in a Clinical Research established by the Center for Evidenced-based Medicine and Clinical Research at UTHSC. The Master’s program curriculum focuses on training clinical investigators in designing and conducting patient-oriented research of high quality. In addition to the educational foundation, fellows will work with established faculty mentors with advanced degrees in clinical research to develop expertise in the scientific research process. Dr. Tsao’s research program focuses on patient safety and quality improvement in pediatric surgery. Research is conducted through clinical trials, database/registries, and observational trials. Research fellows integrate with his clinical research team that consists of two clinical research nurses, quality improvement specialists (Lean/Six Sigma), and the hospital-based quality improvement team. Research fellows assist in leading the medical student research curriculum and actively participate in hospital-based quality improvement initiatives. Applicants should have completed the PGY-2 year minimum as a categorical resident in an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency program by the start of the fellowship. Pay and benefits are commensurate to PGY year and in accordance with NIH guidelines for post-doctoral fellows. A current curriculum vitae and a letter of recommendation from the candidate’s current program director and chairman is required.

Clinical Call Required? Yes
Clinical Call Requirements: 3 call nights per month
Program Length: 2 years
Location: Houston, TX
Program Director: Mary Austin
https://med.uth.edu/pediatricsurgery
Source of Support: Institutional Grants

Program Description: The Center for Surgical Trials and Evidence-based Practice (C-STEP) is accepting applications for a 2-year clinical research fellowship beginning July 1, 2022. The program is established for surgical residents interested in a career in academic clinical research with a focus in pediatric surgery. Fellows will obtain a Master’s Degree in a Clinical Research established by the Center for Evidenced-based Medicine and Clinical Research at UTHSC. The Master’s program curriculum focuses on training clinical investigators in designing and conducting patient-oriented research of high quality. In addition to the educational foundation, fellows will work with established faculty mentors with advanced degrees in clinical research to develop expertise in the scientific research process. Dr. Austin’s work primarily focuses on health disparities in access to and treatment of surgical and oncologic diseases in children. She has collaborations with faculty at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and the University of Texas School of Public Health. Applicants should have completed the PGY-2 year minimum as a categorical resident in an ACGME-accredited general surgery residency program by the start of the fellowship. Pay and benefits are commensurate to PGY year and in accordance with NIH guidelines for post-doctoral fellows. A current curriculum vitae and a letter of recommendation from the candidate’s current program director and chairman is required.