Basic and clinical research on diseases of children are a critical part
of the overall mission of the Department of Pediatrics and Babies & Children's
Hospital. The Department is ranked 8th in overall research funding among
pediatric departments in the country; the training of future investigators
who will pursue academic careers in clinical or basic research on pediatric
diseases also has a very high priority. There are several programs and activities
that are relevant. Resident applicants who are interested in pursuing an
academic career should identify themselves during the application process.
For such individuals, we will arrange special meetings with relevant faculty
on the interview day.
Residents are afforded the opportunity to pursue basic science research
and clinical investigation at Babies & Children's Hospital. These experiences
are designed to allow residents to explore their interest in investigative
careers and to select among the many available possibilities in basic and
clinical research. Options for research experiences range from intensive,
structured elective experiences to flexibility in the residency training
schedule to permit early incorporation of research activities into the resident's
training program. The elective experiences include exposure to ongoing clinical
or basic research projects combined with relevant didactic experiences and
work with a faculty mentor. One new elective combines specific educational
sessions focusing on statistical and epidemiologic methods with members
of the medical school's General Clinical Research Center and development
of a research project. (This elective is sponsored by two faculty from the
Neonatal and the Infectious Disease Divisions). The residency director should
be contacted for additional information.
Residents are also encouraged, their responsibilities permitting, to attend
lectures and seminars in the University and especially to participate in
the Junior Faculty Research Seminar organized by the Child Health Research
Center. They are also welcome to attend the Journal Club/Laboratory Meetings
in specific laboratories in any department they choose.
In addition, the ability to pursue the Special Alternative Pathway through
the American Board of Pediatrics is supported and encouraged by the Department
of Pediatrics. Individuals who have experience in laboratory investigation
(particularly, but not limited to, M.D., Ph.D. students) and those who plan
academic careers in one of the subspecialties with a major emphasis on laboratory
research may shorten their residency training time in a flexible, integrated
program that combines both clinical and research work while fulfilling the
requirements for eligibility for the Pediatric and subspecialty boards.
Residents interested in this pathway, and any resident with a MD, Ph.D.,
or clear interest in a research career in academic pediatrics, should contact
Dr. Robert Winchester, the director of the Child Health Research Center,
or Dr. John Driscoll, Jr., the principal investigator, for additional information
and advice.
Another opportunity for qualified pediatric residents is the Pediatric Scientist
Development Program of the Association of Medical School Pediatric Department
Chairpersons (AMSPDC). The program provides research training and career
development for pediatric residents in academic medicine. It offers an intense,
full time experience in basic science research in eminent research laboratories.
Two to three years of research training is funded by the Program. At the
moment we have one trainee enrolled in the program working in the laboratory
of Dr. Rudy Leibel. Information is available through the Chairman's office.
Perhaps the major opportunity for research career development in the Department
is the Child Health Research Center (CHRC). The CHRC is aimed at fostering
the research careers of residents, fellows and junior faculty in the study
of diseases of children. It seeks to equip an individual with the necessary
research skills to allow them to successfully compete for faculty positions
in academic pediatrics. The CHRC at Columbia University has been established
with a grant from the National Institutes of Health to foster development
of the young physician scientist in a multidisciplinary program of excellence
in pediatric research using all the resources at Columbia. The CHRC at Columbia
University has several career guidance activities focused on residents.
In addition, the Center provides salary support for one or more years of
research training after the clinical portion of fellowship training. As
part of this effort, over 40 faculty members from departments throughout
the medical center, all with demonstrated ability in research ability and
track records as mentors, have been identified to act as potential mentors.
The mentors are organized into four main groups according to research themes:
Genetics: The identification of susceptibility to develop a disease with
a particular alternative gene form. Regulation of gene expression and identification
of signal transduction pathways involved in cellular growth, proliferation
and differentiation. Organogenesis and development, reflecting the action
of these antecedent properties of expression. Mechanisms of tissue response
to injury including inflammation and specific immunity. Collectively, the
program faculty have the research experience and fundamental technologies
that can address a wide range of pediatric diseases and their therapy at
basic and/or clinical levels. These diseases include: growth and mental
retardation and related disorders, genetic and metabolic disorders, autoimmune
and other inflammatory disorders, diseases resulting from environmental
factors such as toxic substances, infections and nutrition. The CHCR also
assists applicants in applying for various other career developing fellowships
and awards available from the National Institutes of Health that permit
a person interested in a research-based career to obtain all of the necessary
support through acquisition of junior faculty status.
