Program Information:
The Duke SCI-StARR pathway (Science Clinician Investigator - Stimulating Access to Research in Residency) supports protected time for research for residents in the Departments of Medicine, Pediatrics, and Surgery, who are committed to a career as a physician investigator in academic medicine.
These opportunities are supported by an active R38 StARR award funded by NHLBI.
All Residents in the R38 SCI-StARR program will have a primary research mentor in either laboratory-based basic science research or clinical research. In addition, a Scholarship Oversight Committee (SOC) will meet with each resident in the program at least twice per year and help the trainee create an individualized development plan.
Application Deadline: December 6, 2024
Each Duke SCI-StARR resident will establish a track record of scholarly activities, including:
- Submission of an application for an external individual career development award (NRSA F32 or K38/StARRTs)
- Participation in scientific meetings
- Submission of research manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals
Program benefits include:
- Enhanced physician-scientist career mentorship opportunities from the primary research mentor, the Scholarship Oversight Committee, and the R38 program directors
- An opportunity to apply for a technician or research assistant to help residents continue conducting research after they return to clinical training
- Increased attractiveness for subspecialty fellowship programs
- Up to $3,000 in funds to support conference travel and up to $20,000 in funds for research needs
- Eligibility to apply for NIH early career award (K38 Stimulating Access to Research in Residency Transition Scholar)
- We will support Resident Investigators for 12 months of research training (in 3- to 6-month blocks) that will be integrated in either PGY-3 or PGY-4 according to scheduled research blocks in each program. Consistent with the requirements of the R38 award, funding will cover no more than 80% of RI PGY salary and fringe benefits at Duke-approved rates. The remainder of the salary and fringe benefits for Resident-Investigators will come from the departmental contribution and institutional funds.
Application Materials:
- A one-page personal statement describing the applicant’s intended scientific career trajectory
- An NIH-style Biosketch (sample biosketch)
- A one- to two-page scientific proposal formatted as an NIH-style specific aims page, describing a core research project to be completed during the training period
- An NIH biosketch from the applicant’s mentor
- A letter of support from a Duke faculty member who has agreed to serve as the applicant’s research mentor
Selection Process:
- Potential applicants are encouraged to meet with their department representatives for both the residency and R38 programs to express interest. All residents who wish to participate in the program will need to work with their research mentors, the R38 program directors, and the residency program directors to develop a schedule that integrates their research and clinical training, and ensures that all board eligibility requirements are met.
- Applications will be reviewed by a committee that includes the R38 PIs and other representatives from participating departments as appropriate. On average, up to two residents per department are selected each year, but this can vary year-to-year as circumstances warrant.
Please see department specific details for eligibility
Eligible Applicants:
Interns and PGY2 residents in good clinical standing are eligible to apply to the program, and should plan on entering the program in July 2025.
Duke Medicine SCI-StARR R38 Pathway Details:
This NIH-funded, ABIM-approved opportunity includes a four-year internal medicine residency that incorporates 18 months of protected time for research.
- 30 months of clinical internal medicine training, completed during four-year R38 pathway
- 18 months of protected research training completed during PGY2, PGY3, and PGY4
- 20% clinical training commitment during research training
The 30 months of clinical training as part of the 48-month R38 pathway meets ABIM’s 36-month training requirement. ABIM approval will be obtained for each resident embarking on the R38 pathway.
Medicine Pre-Selection Process:
Interviews will be scheduled and carried out with Dr. Scott Palmer, Vice-Chair for Research in the Department of Medicine, and other members of the selection committee who will make a decision about appointment to the R38 pathway with Dr. Zaas’ approval.
For interns who are interested in the R38 pathway but who have not yet identified a mentor and a project, please schedule a meeting to discuss your interests and available mentoring opportunities with Dr. Maria Rapoza.
Medicine Application Submission:
Completed applications should be sent to maria.rapoza@duke.edu on or before the December 6th deadline. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt; if you do not receive this email within 24 hrs of submission please contact Dr. Rapoza.
Questions from Department of Medicine applicants should be addressed to Maria Price Rapoza (maria.rapoza@duke.edu)
Eligible Applicants:
PGY2 residents who are in good clinical standing are eligible to apply to the program and should plan on entering the program in July 2025.
Duke Surgery SCI-StARR R38 Pathway Details:
Resident-Investigators will complete two years of clinical training, followed by two years of protected research time during PGY3 and PGY4. Surgery residents will continue with three more years of clinical training to complete general surgery residency.
Surgery Application Submission:
Completed applications should be sent to gail.kovachspalsbury@duke.edu on or before the December 6th deadline. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt; if you do not receive this email within 24 hours of submission, please contact Gail Kovach Spalsbury.
Questions from Department of Surgery applicants should be addressed to Gail Kovach Spalsbury (gail.kovachspalsbury@duke.edu).
Eligible Applicants:
Research track interns who are in good clinical standing are eligible to apply to the program and should plan on entering the program in July 2025.
Duke Pediatrics SCI-StARR R38 Pathway Details:
This NIH-funded, ABP-approved opportunity provides residents in the Department of Pediatrics with up to 18 months of protected research time during PGY2-PGY4 of residency.
PGY2:
Clinical training: 6 months (July-December or January-June)
Protected research time: 6 months (January-June or July-December), including continuity clinic for ½ day per week.
PGY3:
Clinical training: 6 months (July-December or January-June)
Protected research time: 6 months (January-June or July-December), including continuity clinic for ½ day per week.
PGY4:
Clinical training: 6 months (July-December or January-June)
Protected research time: 6 months (January-June or July-December), including continuity clinic for ½ day per week.
Pediatrics Pre-Selection Process:
If this process hasn't already started, research track interns interested in the R38 pathway should arrange a meeting with Dr. Andrew Landstrom or Dr. Michelle White to discuss research mentorship and project plans.
Pediatrics Application Submission:
Completed applications should be sent to andrew.landstrom@duke.edu on or before the December 6th deadline. All applicants will receive an email confirming receipt; if you do not receive this email within 24 hrs of submission please contact Dr. Andrew Landstrom.
Questions from Department of Pediatrics applicants should be addressed to Dr. Andrew Landstrom (andrew.landstrom@duke.edu).