Research Practicum

The Practicum begins in PGY-2 and involves mentoring from three primary sources:

  1. Research Track (RT) Resident Advisor (the lead fourth-year RT resident) who meets with the RT resident quarterly to begin clarifying individual research career goals and to discuss Department faculty who might be candidates for mentoring in the applicants area of interest.   
  2. One of five Faculty Career Development Mentors representing basic, psychosocial, clinical, translational, and child research fields meets yearly with the RT resident, initially to verify that a fostering relationship is established with a Primary Faculty Mentor, and in later years to provide oversight to ensure that the RT resident is achieving their goals.
  3. The Primary Faculty Mentors are chiefly responsible for guiding the residents in their development as researchers. During the Fall and Winter of PGY-2, they guide the RT resident through the formal application process of the Research Track. In PGY-3 and PGY-4, they mentor the RT resident through implementation, conduct, analysis, and reporting of their research project as well as broader aspects of research career development.

RT residents receive substantial guidance as they progress through the program. Department of Psychiatry faculty members help create a viable plan for residency training that balances clinical training and research interests. Input from experienced researchers will assure that the chosen research project is both scientifically rigorous and feasible for the resident to complete as outlined. 

In PGY-3 and PGY-4, RT residents conduct their proposed research project(s) under the close guidance of their Primary Faculty Mentor and annual meetings with their Faculty Career Development Mentor. In each of these two years, RT residents present a poster of their ongoing or completed work at the Departmental Research Day. Before completing the program, the RT resident is expected to submit for publication at least one first-authored manuscript. RT residents are also encouraged to apply for research grants and post-doctoral fellowships.