Vanderbilt University has a long tradition of excellence in research and innovation. This has been recognized with two Nobel Prizes for Physiology or Medicine: Earl Sutherland for his discovery of cyclic AMP and to Stanley Cohen for his discovery of Epidermal Growth Factor. Over 90 principal investigators comprise the Vanderbilt Diabetes Research and Training Center (DRTC), which is the nation's oldest program. These investigators are complemented by hundreds of additional investigators at the multiple colleges at Vanderbilt. Endless opportunities exist for research training in areas related to pediatric endocrinology.
A central focus of the Pediatric Endocrinology fellowship program at Vanderbilt is the development of exceptional pediatric endocrine specialists seeking to pursue an academic career. Research is an integral part of our program, and our fellows will develop unique expertise based on their area of interest within pediatric endocrinology. Prior research experience is not required.
The fellow’s research experience will be supported by well-established infrastructure at the division, department, and institutional levels, ensuring access to a wide range of potential mentors and collaborators as well as opportunities for career development. Our division is dedicated to providing rigorous training and protected time for the pursuit of scholarship. Second-year and third-year fellows are limited to six weeks of service and one half-day per week with any additional outpatient clinical activity tailored to fit their academic interests. The remainder of the time (about 80 percent) focuses on the development of an area of research and academic interest and expertise. First-year fellows work closely with the division/program director to identify candidate mentors. Research mentors can be selected from faculty at Vanderbilt University and can have either a clinical or basic science focus. Once a research mentor is chosen, the fellow will identify a Scholarship Oversight Committee in accordance with American Board of Pediatrics requirements and will meet with their SOC at least twice yearly. Depending on the interest area and experience of the fellow, some fellows may also desire and benefit from enrolling in the Master of Public Health degree program.
Fellows are expected to compete for intramural and extramural funding and will receive guidance from their research and division mentors in this process. Fellows are also expected to present their findings at intramural and national conferences and submit their findings for publication in peer-reviewed journals.