Pathway to Discovery in
Clinical and Translational Research
Projects in the Core Clinical and Translational Research Pathway provide comprehensive exposure to the research process in clinical and translational research and include working closely with a mentor. The process by which mentors and projects are chosen is the same as for the PACCTR Program; an on-line self-guided module provides tips on this process. The legacy product may take several forms including: a portion of an on-going or planned study protocol; a high-quality research protocol; an original thesis. Appropriate legacy products for the Core program are described in more detail below.
1) A portion of an on-going or planned research protocol. Mentors will decide the specific elements of the proposal that would be appropriate for students to complete as a legacy product. These may include:
- performing a comprehensive literature review (e.g., systematic)
- creating an operations manual for a research project
- constructing a specialized measurement for analysis
- interviewing an important group of subjects
- doing a limited data analysis
2) A high-quality protocol. Such protocols will be completed to the specifications outlined in the Designing Clinical Research for Students and Residents course and include the following elements: well-researched and referenced background section; full methods, including design (with justification), sample size, measurements and visit protocols, references for or testing of proposed measurements; preliminary data and a discussion of human subjects concerns, when applicable. While we expect that each will be individualized based on specific project goals, we anticipate that most protocols will follow the NIH R01 format. Some students may choose this option if they would like to devise a protocol that will be actionable in the near future.
3) A thesis completed as part of the MD with thesis program. In past years, many students in the MD with thesis program have taken additional time (beyond the 4-year standard curriculum) to complete their thesis. Some students, however, complete the thesis within the 4-year curriculum; the completed thesis can be considered their legacy product.
Project abstracts and posters are available here to UCSF learners with Galen IDs. Other UCSF learners who wish to access this material can contact Pathways to Discovery Coordinator, Renee Courey.
