Research

All trainees will be committed to a minimum of two years of research training as part of the Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center Gastroenterology Fellowship Program curriculum. On an individual basis, extension of the training period will be considered and, if deemed necessary, funded for an additional one to two years by the preceptors and participating faculty or through career development grants awarded to the trainees. Learn more about research components, including:

• Research Project
• Formal Coursework

Areas of Research Emphasis on Gastroenterology and Liver Disease

During the research years each fellow will spend no less than 90 percent of his or her time in a carefully supervised teaching environment which will most often be in close collaboration with the primary preceptor responsible for their program. It is expected that research opportunities will be in one of the following areas of emphasis in the Division of Gastroenterology & Liver Disease at University Hospitals:

• Advanced Endoscopy: Areas of research will include meta-analysis and systemic reviews, new endoscopic technology including animal models, endoscopic assessment of the risk of recurrent gastrointestinal hemorrhage and outcomes of endoscopic procedures.
• Epidemiology and Biostatistics: Areas of research will include large database analysis, cancer screening and surveillance, health-related quality of life, clinical predictive modeling, decision analysis and genetic epidemiology.
• Gastrointestinal Cancer: Areas of research will include molecular biology of colorectal neoplasia, detection of premalignant and malignant conditions through new endoscopic technology, use and effectiveness of cancer screening and surveillance programs and the genetic epidemiology of Barrett's esophagus, esophageal adenocarcinoma and colorectal neoplasia.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Areas of research will include animal models of IBD, mucosal immunity, cytokines, apoptosis, cell-cell interactions, extracellular matrix, intestinal fibrosis, clinical trials and IBD family studies.

Research Project Selection Process

All selected trainees will be required to become familiar with the main areas of expertise of the training program faculty prior to a formal commitment to a specific area of study that is likely to shape the professional future of the trainees. This critical process will be accomplished by attending an annual series of orientation seminars held at the very beginning of the academic year. These seminars are presented by the divisional faculty to permit the trainee to become acquainted with all the research opportunities within the division and the expertise existing in the laboratories of individual faculty members.

In addition, all fellows will meet on a one-on-one basis with Gregory Cooper, MD, or other core faculty to discuss impressions, clarify specific aspects of the program or receive preliminary advice on project selection. These informal meetings will also be utilized in case the specific interests of a trainee are defined but not met within the division or the individual expertise of the preceptors. In this case, trainees will be oriented on how and where to seek help within the Case Western Reserve University scientific community.

The Lansing C. Hoskins Research and Education Fund

The Division of Gastroenterology & Liver Disease at University Hospitals, supported by the Lansing C. Hoskins Education and Research Fund, is focused on promoting and supporting new research initiatives in digestive diseases undertaken by fellows and junior faculty. The primary goal of the program is to provide awardees with initial funds to develop and commence new digestive health-related research initiatives leading to robust careers.

All fellows must submit at least one pilot/feasibility proposal for faculty review per year during the first two years of their fellowship training.

Limited awards of up to $5,000/year will be made and projects should be completed within one year of the award. Awards are intended to support regulatory start-up, research costs and data collection. It is expected that the results will be presented to divisional faculty and fellows.

The project may also be used to provide preliminary data for applications for larger research grants in areas related to digestive diseases. Guidelines for preparing written proposals are available upon the enrollment in the fellowship program. Proposal requirements and guidelines are available at the resources link.