The fellow will learn the scientific method and become proficient in selected basic and/or clinical research techniques. A research elective is offered during the first year so that the fellow can meet with individual faculty members within and outside the division in order to discuss their research. Following this elective, the fellow will choose a faculty member as a research mentor to help in the choice and design of a project. The fellow is required to submit a research proposal to his/her Scholarship Oversight Committee during the first year, so that work on the project may begin in July of the second year of training. Although most fellows have one major area of research, one or two small, additional research projects/case reports may also be performed during the fellowship.  Fellows will also be supported if they should desire to work to obtain grant funding to continue their research work past their time in fellowship.

Clinical research will be conducted in sites at Connecticut Children's, as well as through the General Clinical Research Center at UConn Health or Connecticut Children's. Basic science laboratories for pediatric pulmonary research faculty and their collaborators will be maintained at UConn Health's campus in Farmington (approximately 10 miles from Connecticut Children's) as well as at the University of Connecticut Main Campus in Storrs.

Evidence of productive scholarly activity is required for successful completion of the fellowship program and for eligibility to take the American Board of Pediatrics certifying examination in Pediatric Pulmonology. To fulfill this requirement, the fellow must engage in a project in which they develop hypotheses or pursue exploration and analysis that requires critical thinking. Involvement in the project must result in a specific written "work product", examples of which include: a peer-reviewed publication in which the fellow played a substantial role (preferably first author); an in-depth manuscript describing a completed project; an extramural grant application that has been accepted or received a favorable review. It is also desirable that the fellow submit and present two abstracts at a national meeting during the fellowship period.

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Click here to learn more about research support at The Jackson Laboratory