Research Track Mentors

Research Track

Research residents will have special didactic programming in PGY-1, and a 2 month block of available time during PGY-2, in which to organize and pursue a research focus. During PGY 3 and 4, research residents may pursue either a “block” or “longitudinal” model of research time. The block model would provide 3 months for research in PGY-3, 3 months full-time in PGY-4, plus an additional 15 hours/week for the final half of PGY-4. The longitudinal model would provide 10 hours/week for research throughout PGY-3, 15 hours/week for half of PGY-4, and 20 hours/week for the remainder of PGY-4.

Opportunities for ongoing research include the Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, the Division of Addictions Psychiatry, the Division of Consultation/Liaison Psychiatry, the VCU Mood Disorders Institute, and the Commonwealth Institute for Child and Family Studies. Other areas of focus may be arranged throughout the Department and its affiliates.

• Clinical Researcher

  This track will focus on the development of career-level skills in clinical research. This resident will work with a mentor in clinical settings throughout residency, will establish an area of research interest, and will pursue post-residency fellowship training to further the clinical research interest. During or after a fellowship year, this individual will be guided in application for a “K award” to continue their research direction.
  
  

• Translational Research

  This training program would provide the physician with a foundation of knowledge in general psychiatry and an additional in-depth understanding of clinical epidemiology, genetic epidemiology, pharmacology and a variety of clinical neurosciences. During PGY-1, planning could begin for acquiring a “T32 Grant” starting in the PG-4 year. An internally funded PGY 5-7 research fellowship may also be available. Continuing in a post-residency fellowship would be an expectation, with pilot data from an independent project to be produced during that year. The translational research track would continue with a “K award” and an independent research project in year 6.
  
  

• MD/PhD Psychiatry Resident Track

  This program will be available for combined MD/PhD graduates, or those with doctoral level training prior to medical school. The goal will be to graduate a trainee capable of functioning as an independent investigator. Trainees may be asked to seek NIH postdoctoral fellowship support for their PG-4 year and for a possible PG-5 fellowship year.
  
  

Internal funding for a 3-year post residency research fellowship (PGY 5-7) may also be available.

Other research opportunities are available outside of the research track.