CURT Translational Imaging Research Training Program

“Translational research… fosters the multidirectional integration of basic research, patient-oriented, and population-based research, with the long-term aim of improving the health care of the public.”

Defining Translational Research: Implications for Training, Academic Medicine, March 2010, 85(3); 472 

CURT, established as a collaborative research forum for physicians, engineers, computational scientists, and industry, embodies these elements of the National Institutes of Health working definition of translational research. Our research improves diagnosis through invention and exploration of novel engineering and analytics. As part of our patient–oriented research, we conduct clinical studies and clinical trials with industry and academic partners to validate and improve medical ultrasound technology.

Every trainee receives training in the core components of clinical and translational research, which include study design, data collection and management, statistical analysis, ethics, research integrity, protection of subjects, and regulatory compliance. In addition, the diverse background and interests of translational research trainees mandates a customized training curriculum. To facilitate this, every trainee prepares a customized self-study program, ensuring the acquisition of working knowledge of complementary disciplines and allowing trainees to experience the dynamics of collaborative research.

The CURT Translational Research Training Program comprises an internal lecture series, exposure to the numerous educational opportunities available at Harvard and the Massachusetts General Hospital, and a mentored program of self-study and research. This is a modular design allowing trainees to join the program at any time.

The CURT Foundations of Translational Imaging Research lecture series, combines an introduction to basic research skills, with lectures in biostatistics, clinical epidemiology and study design, with an overview of current CURT research areas of study.  Later sessions are devoted to updates in the latest technology development in various imaging modalities. The final lectures focus on the emerging technologies, such as machine learning. The Foundations lecture series, held every 2 weeks, introduces the range of disciplines and skills required to conduct translational imaging research.

Augmenting the lecture series are numerous educational and professional development opportunities within MGH and the greater Harvard community. These free short courses are available to fellows, including further training in statistics, translational research, and medical device development.

Mentored self-study and research: When joining, each fellow is asked to develop an individualized study plan incorporating these courses and workshops and an independent reading list. The fellowship director reviews these plans and assists the fellow with customization.

Experiential learning includes actively engaging in patient-oriented studies.  Upon completion of key course work and the independent study plan, the trainee begins to participate with the study team to draft study design, to conduct the study, and make modifications as needed. The trainee will assist with hypothesis development, data analysis plans, clinical trial planning, regulatory documentation IRB filings, and will have the opportunity to participate in the authorship of research papers, where the trainee has contributed and is able to do so. These mentored research activities are critical part of developing the trainee’s abilities to succeed in collaborative research environments.

In addition, translational research trainees can attend numerous daily clinical imaging conferences and lecture series and can arrange to observe clinical care at the MGH.

We are fortunate to have numerous educational resources in addition to the lab’s Foundations Lecture Series and mentored self-study and research program. Trainees are encouraged to enroll in courses and workshops provided at MGH and in the larger Harvard community. 

 Clinical Research Program at MGH. Link: http://www.massgeneral.org/research/ 

This MGH Clinical Research Program provides comprehensive mini courses/workshops addressing the full range of ethics, research integrity, assistance in writing human subjects protocols and informed consent as well as assistance with research compliance issues.  There are also short courses in research methodology, biostatistics, eIRB, and scientific writing. 

Harvard Catalyst. Link: http://catalyst.harvard.edu/education.html 

The Harvard Catalyst mission is to enhance and integrate the clinical and translational research efforts across the Harvard community. Educating and training is a key component of this important cross-institutional program. The Harvard Catalyst offers excellent courses and workshops, and an extensive video library where previous Catalyst courses are maintained.  Another excellent resource is the Advanced Curriculum which allows trainees to access courses conducted at other Harvard affiliated hospitals and Harvard School of Public Health courses. 

MGH Office for Research Career Development (ORCD). Link: http://facultydevelopment.massgeneral.org/orcd/ 

ORCD assists the research community with career development skills workshops on public speaking, scientific presentations, creating posters, and authorships guidelines.

The trainees are welcome to apply for a one or two year training program. The diagram illustrates the model of a ‘one year’ program; however, a longer commitment allows for a trainee to obtain a stronger background in the core disciplines and to participate in additional research studies with the potential of more publications and/or presentations.

Eligibility

• Applicants must have a medical degree or doctoral degree in engineering, applied mathematics, computational sciences, or other related discipline with an interest in ultrasound or medical imaging.
• It is desirable for the person to have prior research experience. 
• Applicants must be able to read, speak and learn in English.
• Collaborative research is a dynamic, collective effort. It is important that an applicant is able to communicate successfully and will be an enthusiastic member of the team. 

Admission

Step 1: Please complete this application, and email to CURT@mgh.harvard.edu with the subject line: Translational Research Training Program. Please include a CV and cover letter. 

Step 2: After all the materials have been received and reviewed, applicants will have an interview, online or in person, before being accepted to the program. 

Step 3: Applicants will be notified of the decision by email.

The CURT Translational Imaging Research Training Program is at capacity until spring of 2021. While applications for the program may be submitted at any time, they will not be reviewed until July of 2020 for training program starting in early 2021. Please feel free to submit inquiries about the program to CURT@mgh.harvard.edu. 

MGH-China Translational Ultrasound Research Training Program

Please note, the MGH-China Translational Ultrasound Research Training Program is currently at capacity until 2021. We are not accepting any applications for 2020 at this time. Applications for January 2021 and after may be submitted at any time, but we will not review any candidates until June, 2020. 

1. Program Introduction

China’s large population, diversity of health care delivery settings, and emphasis on research and education have created a conducive environment for translational ultrasound research. As a result, we have noted substantial interest in translational imaging research training amongst Chinese physicians. We welcome these physicians, and have created a training program that builds on CURT’s established training curriculum with several additional components relevant to Chinese trainees.

The MGH-China training program has a dedicated Director, Dr. Qian Li, who obtained his MD and training at Beijing Medical University. Dr. Li is an experienced researcher, who works with each post-doctoral fellow to craft their study program. He also assists trainees with identifying and developing mentored research projects and with defining publishable projects.

An observership component is a key part of the MGH-China post-doctoral physician training program. Physician post-doctoral fellows are welcome to attend daily case conferences where teaching cases are discussed. They are also encouraged to attend MGH Radiology Grand Rounds and the numerous medical imaging conferences held every day at MGH.

In addition, MGH’s Office for Research Career Development (ORCD) offers two 12-week courses in English as a Second Language for Researchers and various workshops on scientific presentations and other public speaking skills. There is also an active community of Chinese post-doctoral research fellows at MGH, which creates opportunities for trainees to meet their scientific colleagues among our collaborators and the greater Boston academic community.

2. Eligibility

• Applicants must have a medical degree and an interest in ultrasound or medical imaging.
• It is desirable for the person to have prior research experience.
• Applicants must be able to read, speak, and learn in English.
• Collaborative research is a dynamic, collective effort. It is important that an applicant is able to communicate successfully and will be an enthusiastic member of the team. 
• To be considered for this program, applicants must provide written confirmation that their home institution is aware of their application, and will approve the applicant attending the research training program if accepted by CURT. If approval from the home institution depends on an offer letter from CURT, then this letter should include the time needed for the home institution to give approval once an offer is received. This letter must be:
  • Printed on official letterhead of applicant’s home institution
  • Addressed to Dr. Anthony Samir, and is to be included with application materials
  • Include applicant’s entire name
  • Stamped by the Human Resources Department of the applicant’s home institution
  • Signed and Dated by applicant and officer in the Human Resources Department. 

3. Admission

Step 1: Please complete this application and send to CURT@mgh.harvard.edu with the subject line CURT China Training Program. Please include your CV, cover letter, and letter of approval from home institution.

Step 2: After the all the materials have been received and reviewed, applicants will have an online interview before being accepted into the program. 

Step 3: Applicants will be notified of the decision by email.

Step 4: For accepted applicants, CURT will provide support to obtain a J-1 visa. 

For accepted candidates, please note: 

•  The offer to attend this program depends on the applicant successfully obtaining their J-1 visa. Please be aware that this may take 3-6 months, and a start date will be set based on a mutually agreed timeline. Once the process for visa paperwork has been initiated, there is no flexibility in changing these dates, except in extreme cases. Any concerns or conflicts with the originial proposed program dates must be addressed before a DS-2019 has been issued.
• If an accepted candidate wishes to be accompanied by dependents (spouse or children) during the training program, CURT must be informed before the applicant’s paperwork is starteed. All dependents who will need a J-2 visa must be listed from the beginning of the process. Dependents will not be added after the J-1 visa paperwork request has been filed. 

Ultrasound Clinical Observership

The Center for Ultrasound Research & Translation (CURT) is part of the MGH Department of Radiology’s International and National Observer Fellowships providing comprehensive, individualized exposure to state-of-the-art imaging and intervention in an academic setting. Click here to see the details of the Department’s program.

CURT can accommodate two clinical observers at any point in the year, other than in the months of July and August, when the Department of Radiology is unable to accommodate clinical observers. Clinical observerships are up to 3 months in length, and monthly tuition is payable to the Radiology Department. 

The primary goals of our clinical observership include (i) exposure to the diverse range of pathology and clinical examinations performed at MGH Radiology, (ii) exposure to the mechanisms by which off-site no-Radiologist-present ultrasound can be accomplished while maintaining service quality, and (iii) experience within a large and diverse academic medical center.

Each clinical observer is expected to produce two teaching presentations. These usually comprise one-hour educational presentations in PowerPoint format and can cover topics of interest to the observer. The observer will usually have an opportunity to present their work to the larger laboratory or to the clinical service, subject to scheduled availability.

Application process:

• Applications must be made both to CURT and to the MGH Department of Radiology.
• The CURT application form is here
• The Department of Radiology observer website and contact mechanism are here.

CURT is not currently offering the clinical observership for 2020. Inquiries about the available schedule for 2021 may be sent to CURT@mgh.harvard.edu with the subject line CURT Clinical Observership.