Research Training

The fellowship provides 12 months of dedicated time for research training. The Fellow will develop a research plan during the first 12 months in consultation with program leadership and mentor(s). During the research year, the Fellow will choose or build a research track focusing on innovative subject areas.

The Fellow is free to incorporate basic, translational, clinical/investigative, quality improvement, implementation science, and other scholarly activities into tracks according to the Fellow's particular career interests. The tracks are designed to provide a structured environment for career development in specific areas while allocating ample time to pursue research in this area. For fellows interested in basic science, a number of research training opportunities are available across the UCSD campus and at affiliated institutions in San Diego/La Jolla like the Salk Research Institute, Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, Scripps Research Institute, and Sanford Stem Cell Consortium.

The Fellowship program also recognizes the need for career and research guidance. To that end, the program will ensure that Fellows are paired with appropriate mentors and that timely oversight and feedback be provided by a dedicated Career Development Oversight Committee.

Examples of Tracks

Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)/Transfusion Medicine/Apheresis Track

Fellows integrate into the SCD Program (state-funded; participating in Western Thalassemia Consortium, >200 adults with SCD or hemoglobinopathies /thalassemia), interfacing with Transfusion Medicine and Cell Apheresis (especially red cell exchange; RCE).

Training elements: multi-disciplinary post-clinic conferences; rounding on selected hospitalized patients and in "Day Infusion Program"; rotations on Transfusion Medicine and Apheresis Services (Nephrology, ~10 RCE weekly); quarterly multi-disciplinary RCE rounds (Hematology, Transfusion Medicine, Nephrology).

Hemostasis/Thrombosis/Vascular Medicine Track

Fellows integrate into the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Center (> 500 adults with congenital bleeding/clotting disorders, >500 consultations annually for non-congenital bleeding/clotting disorders).

Training elements: multi-disciplinary post-clinic conferences; monthly cross-disciplinary clinics: Hematology/Ob-Gyn, ultrasound-guided joint injection/aspiration (HTTC), Rady Children's transition, CTEPH; Vascular Medicine/IR; apply POC MSKUS and vascular ultrasound; outreach with patient chapter.

Global Hematology Track

Fellows are at the interface of an established collaboration between the Hemophilia and Thrombosis Treatment Center and the Hematology service at Maputo Central Hospital, Maputo, Mozambique. The two sites are recognized/designated by the World Federation of Hemophilia as part of its 'twinning' program. HTTC continues to be the training site for physicians identified through the American Society of Hematology Visitor Training Program. The efforts are governed by the UCSD Global Health Program with an exchange of trainees and faculty. Research opportunities are available in the realm of a multi-year post-partum hemorrhage project at MCH and care delivery in resource-restricted environments.

Training elements: monthly zoom clinic with MCH, up to 3 months of training, and on-site research engagement at MCH for capacity building in a resource-restricted environment.

Implementation Science (IS)-Comparative Effectiveness/Outcomes- Healthcare Quality/Disparities Track

Fellows engage in implementation science while intensifying a focus in any non-malignant hematology disease area.

Training elements: Fellows intensify their focus in non-malignant hematology areas (i.e. SCD, HHT, Hemostasis/Thrombosis) and obtain additional formal training. Opportunities include:

Systems-Based Hematology Track

Fellows are at the interface between national organizations, thought leaders, and the institution to engage in the improvement in the delivery of care as defined by ASH (Wallace PJ et al, Blood 2015) and modeled after May JE, et al (Blood Advances 2020).

Training elements: Fellows focus on their clinical interests (2 weekly sessions) and engage in national and local initiatives to deliver evidence-based, high-value, cost-effective care.