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Strategies For Developing A Successful Research ProgramFrom Fellow to Faculty
David M. Aronoff, MDAssoc. Professor
Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of Internal Medicine
Department of Microbiology & ImmunologyReproductive Sciences Program
Graduate Program in ImmunologyUniversity of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI USA
Commentaries by Drs. Helen Boucher, Didier Pittet, Craig Rubens & Robert A. Bonomo
Climbing the Academic Ladder
Instructor / Lecturer (non-tenure)
Asst. Professor - regional reputation
Assoc. Professor - national reputation
Professor - international reputation
Fellowship Phase
Stage of research training dependent on research experience Graduate student to postdoctoral level
Choose the research topic- track record starts here!!!! The “do-able” The “not so do-able” The “low hanging fruit”
Fellowship Phase
Choose the mentor- success starts here!!!! Access Training Experience / track record Goal- learning scientific method depending on
background experience Research mentor understands clinical training
demands Determine mobility of project beyond fellowship
Fellowship Research Training Environment
Other personnel- relied upon for day to day training/advice
Resources- equipment, supplies, study coordinators, collaborating research programs, protocol application help (IRB, animal, etc)
Well defined objectives- understand program/mentor expectations; flexibility
Fellowship Research Training Environment
Obtainable project goals Clear milestones of achievement
Research presentations Publications Grant applications
Feedback mechanisms
Fellowship Research Training- Skills to Learn
Scientific method/technology; hypothesis testing Collaboration (the art of….) Personnel management “know the battles to
fight” Writing manuscripts, grants, reviews, authorship
& publication etiquette- do it from the beginning Presentations- communication skills Budget management IRB / animal use protocols
Transition Phase- Fellowship
Planning during mid-late 2nd year (3 year stint)
Publications- need in press by grant submissions
Assess plans for type of career- academic vs industry vs private practice vs other
Determine “need” for additional training
Target specific grant(s)- internal & external (negotiation process)
Research position requirements / opportunities Local vs. other Identify type of faculty pathway or industry
positions
Planning with mentor/advisor- timing applications & interviews
Transition Phase- Fellowship
Understand institution, department, mentor
requirements for application
Remember: most transition awards require
commitment of institution to protect ~75-80% time for
research
Define objectives of grant aims 4 months prior to
application deadline
Balance remaining fellowship clinical training with
research time especially around grant deadlines
Transition Phase- Fellowship
Transition Phase- Planning During 3rd Year
Define timetable with mentor & program director
Refine career objectives
Applications for positions & interview timing
Grant applications- presubmission reviews are key!!!
Publications & finish program requirements
Use research presentations at national/regional meetings to network & develop reputation
Job negotiations to include: Protected time Startup including supplies / equipment /
personnel / space New mentor for transition award if new
institutionMay not be same as overall faculty mentor
Identification of key core services/collaborators Minimal committee & teaching time
Transition Phase- Planning During 3rd Year
Junior position phase
Oh Joy-!!!!--- I got my position, a bucket o’ money, a new office, and research space-
NOW WHAT???
***KEY PEARL*** stay “hands on” with research
experiments/projects- don’t attempt to delegate
everything and run things from your office!!!!!
Junior Position Phase (operational plan)
Research program is a small business!!! Success promoted by communication & management
skills
Get lab/project setup: Spending start up- don’t need to spend all at beginning
Equipment- includes identifying core service resources Supplies- basic and project specific Personnel- technician optimal
Time management- stay connected Personnel management
Junior Position Phase (operational plan)
Budget management- you are responsible as the PI!
Record keeping; grants management Lab procedure/policy development Protocols- IRB, animal use, SOP’s, radiation
use, etc. Compliance monitoring
Junior Position Phase (program issues)
Establish new mentor & key scientific mentor/advisor
Stay focused on primary question of transition grant/project
Avoid chasing side projects If compelling observation double check with
mentor for second opinion- can go either way
Junior Position Phase (program issues)
Side project/activity = time and money from
primary objective Watch for the “ego stroking” requests which
impose on time Committees, extra lectures & teaching obligations Chapter/textbook writing & editing
Establish frequent opportunities for interaction/feedback Division/dept presentations Work in progress seminars Journal clubs research area Senior PI’s with similar projects/technology interests
Publish peer reviewed manuscripts !!!!! Small number of trainees to start with- big time
commitment
Junior Position Phase (program issues)
Summary
Research program development is long term process Success by establishing long term thematic project in
fellowship training Continuous mentorship critical Learn the grant/contract application process- start early Well focused project/objectives essential Maintain perspective on short term steps to obtain long
term objectives
Stay focused on central theme of project and maintain
hands on approach to experimentation
Develop communication and management skills
Seek feedback through various mechanisms and often
Thematic productivity is your measure of success
Success required to maintain funding
Personal relationships are key (work and home)
Summary
Resources
Academic Scientists at Work- Navigating the Biomedical Research Career- Jeremy Boss and Susan Eckert, Kluwer Academic/Plenum Publishers, 2003
Howard Hughes Medical Institute: http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_development/tools_resources/how_to_guides
How to Succeed in Academics, 2nd Ed; LL MacCabe, ERB McCabe – Academic Press, 2010
NIH Extramural Loan Repayment Program (www.lrp.nih.gov)