Rheumatology Fellowship Research and Scholarly Activity

Research opportunities and publications

During both first and second year, fellows will have the opportunity to work with the PD/APD to develop a research program that will answer a specific question using the basic tools taught during the Network Office of Research and Innovation (NORI) lectures to gather and analyze data, perform statistical analysis and draw appropriate conclusions.

All rheumatology fellows will participate in at least one QI project during their two-year fellowship. Specific goals and objectives and a timeline are contained in the fellow’s portfolio. Individual projects are developed by fellows in conjunction with a faculty mentor(s). The mentor and fellow together determine the specific aims of each individual research project. The ethical conduct of research – including compliance with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Institutional Review Board (IRB) regulations – will be addressed.

Each fellow will have a two-year longitudinal research experience. This will include three months of dedicated research time, during which the fellows will do the following:

• Generate a research hypothesis.
• Formulate a research proposal, including background literature, preliminary data when available, a research plan including materials and methods, experimental protocol, and data analysis plans.
• Acquire and record research data.
• Analyze data.
• Present research findings.

Support from other departments

The department of medicine and LVHN’s Network Office of Research and Innovation (NORI) provide expertise and resources to support fellow research, including research design consultation, biostatistical support and assistance with grant writing and manuscript preparation. Media services provides support with biomedical photography, graphics and poster production. Collectively, this infrastructure provides support to assist fellows with individual projects from inception to completion and even to manuscript level. 

Funding/publications/awards

Research funding may be obtained from federal and state agencies as well as from private foundations and commercial supporters. Internal grants also are available to support fellow research.