The purpose of the clinical epidemiology track is to train physician-scientists as leading investigators across subspecialties of gastroenterology and hepatology. Fellows in this track will typically pursue research-focused careers in disciplines such as clinical epidemiology, health services or health care policy research. A goal of the clinical epidemiology track is to provide trainees with skill sets that can be used to establish a career as an independently funded investigator.
Program Structure
- First year fellowship will be dedicated to clinical training, including inpatient GI consult services and outpatient endoscopy. Clinical epidemiology track fellows will be supported and encouraged to initiate planning with potential research mentors in the winter/spring of their first year
- Second- and third-year fellows dedicate 75% of their time to research and research training with funding from the clinical epidemiology T32 training grant (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease). All fellows in this track enroll in an advanced degree program as outlined in the program benefits below. ACGME requirements for clinical training are met through additional inpatient service and outpatient endoscopy and clinics
- Upon completion of the clinical epidemiology track, graduates will typically apply for their own NIH or foundation funding
Program Benefits
- All clinical epidemiology fellows pursue an advanced degree during the second and third year, either a Master of Science in Clinical Epidemiology and Master of Science in Health Policy Research. Funding for the advanced degree is provided by the T32 training grant
- All clinical epidemiology track fellows establish a close mentoring relationship with a faculty member with a track record of federally funded research
- All clinical epidemiology track fellows will establish a research committee with bi-annual meetings to foster career development and planning
- Fellows work within one of the largest group of federally funded clinical investigators in gastrointestinal and liver disease research in the United States
- Weekly scientific conferences are offered through the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Leonard Davis Institute for Health Economics
- Fellows in this track participate in the monthly Gastroenterology and Hepatology Clinical Research Program Work in Progress seminar
- Two professional development series are provided by the Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
- Fellows have access to a range of data resources, such as the Veteran Affairs Health System, University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS) data, SPARC IBD, Optum Clinformatics, The Health Improvement Network, etc.
- Opportunities for additional funding during fellowship are encouraged
- Additional funds for research supplies and travel are supplied through the T32 grant ($4000 + $1000 travel for FY 2022-2023). An allowance for spending on childcare is also available.
Program Outcomes
- More than 80% of trainees are in academic / research positions
- Nearly 100% success rate for NIH and VA K grant funding among those who have applied
- Many graduates with R01, VA Merit and equivalent independent research grants
- Many graduates with leadership positions in academic medicine
Testimonials of recent graduates of the Clinical Epidemiology Track fellowship program
Louis Wang, MD, MSCE
I completed the T32 program between 2020-2022. My T32 training at Penn was foundational in establishing my background in epidemiology and my research career in early detection of pancreatic cancer. Penn offers an exceptional, interdisciplinary environment for training and collaboration. I am very grateful to my mentors, including Drs. Yu-Xiao Yang, James Lewis, Kara Maxwell, Danielle Mowery, and Benjamin Voight whose expertise span GI epidemiology, oncology, bioinformatics, and genetics, respectively. The training during fellowship supported me in applying for a VA Career development award-2, which is funding my research for the next 5 years.
Shazia Siddique, MD, MSHP
The Master's in Health Policy Research (MSHP) program provided me with a strong foundation in health services research, including big data analysis and implementation science. Developing these skill sets during my fellowship set me up for success as an independent NIH investigator, as well as a leader in the University of Pennsylvania Health System (UPHS). As faculty at Penn, I continue to utilize the knowledge I gained from the program, collaborate with individuals throughout the program to further my research agenda, and now teach in courses as well. I really value the opportunity I had to obtain my MSHP during GI fellowship!
Ravy Vajravelu, MD, MSCE
I owe many of my early-career academic accomplishments to the training I received in the University of Pennsylvania Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology T32 post-doctoral training program. This grant allowed me to earn a Master of Science of Clinical Epidemiology during my clinical gastroenterology fellowship. I took advantage of the protected research time supported by the grant to complete my Master’s thesis. That research directly contributed to the scientific content of my K08 award, which I received in my final year of T32 support. Since completing my training, it has been my goal to pay forward the outstanding mentorship I received during my T32 training. By emulating my University of Pennsylvania mentors, I have been able to serve as an effective mentor early in my career. This has resulted in two mentees who received post-doctoral T32 grant support, two mentees who received pre-doctoral T32 grant support, and several mentees who published first-author manuscripts. I am grateful for the support and training I received from this T32 program, as they have been the foundation of my academic pursuits.