Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Fellowship Program - Research Opportunities

Research Opportunities
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Shape the future of neonatal care through research + discovery at Tufts Medical Center in Boston

Fellows in the Division of Newborn Medicine at Tufts Medical Center have access to a wide range of research opportunities—in clinical, translational and basic science fields. Research is supported both within the division and through partnerships across Tufts University, the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences, Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), and institutions across the Boston area.

Groundbreaking work through the Woman, Mother + Baby Research Institute

Many fellows contribute to research at the Woman, Mother + Baby Research Institute, which focuses on major public health priorities, including:

  • Preterm birth and its complications
  • Maternal obesity and its effects on child outcomes
  • Neonatal and fetal genomic medicine
  • Salivary diagnostics
  • Fetal brain development

Research topics also span neonatal abstinence syndrome, developmental and placental biology, perinatal epidemiology, molecular biology, infectious diseases, neonatal sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis, neonatal outcomes research and simulation-based medical education.

A structured + supportive research curriculum

All fellows begin with an orientation to research requirements and available opportunities. A structured core scholarly curriculum spans 18 months and includes:

  • A research boot camp
  • Workshops tailored to neonatal-perinatal medicine
  • Mentorship from experienced investigators
  • Regular seminars and project check-ins

Fellows also receive biostatistics support through our division and the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Center. Those interested in formal training can enroll in certificate or Master’s programs through Tufts CTSI.

Presenting + funding your research

Fellows are encouraged to apply for research funding and to present their work at leading national and regional conferences such as PAS, ESPR, AAP, NEPS and more. Select fellows are nominated for prestigious events like the AAP Annual Fellows Seminar and Perinatal Strategies Conferences. Attendance at specialty meetings is supported based on individual interests.
Core scholarly curriculum + other research support

Fellows receive an initial orientation to the research curriculum, ACGME scholarly activity requirements, and currently available research opportunities. The core scholarly curriculum addressing the ABP and ACGME core curriculum requirements is covered through a 18 month combined pediatric fellowship curriculum which starts with a scholarly/research orientation boot camp with the goal of providing an introduction to research opportunities, expectations and addressing overall purpose of research or scholarly work in fellowship. Specific core curriculum needs of neonatal-perinatal medicine fellows are addressed by workshops and or group sessions.

Statistical support for fellow research is available in our division with faculty trained in epidemiology and biostatistics and through the Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Center. Fellows are encouraged to apply for intramural and extramural grants and may begin pursuit of funds to extend structured research training into the future. Fellows are supported to present their research at major regional and/or national conferences (PAS, ESPR, AAP, North East Perinatal Research Meeting, NEPS etc.). Select fellows are nominated to attend the AAP sponsored Annual Fellows Seminar and Annual Perinatal Strategies Conferences. Other conference attendance based on fellow specific interest is encouraged (eg: VON conference, IPSSW, Neonatology Hot Topics etc.)
Contact
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Cindy Bruce
Program Coordinator, Pediatric Subspecialty Fellowships/Residency
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Division of Newborn Medicine
Tufts Medical Center
755 Washington Street, Box 44
Boston, MA 02111

Timeline of research
First year
July to DecemberJanuary to June
  • Meet prospective mentors based on research interest
  • Identify Research Mentor
  • Under guidance of mentor develop study hypothesis, review pertinent literature to increase understanding of chosen research
  • Develop study protocol
  • Obtain IRB approval
  • Complete IRB approval if pending
  • Learn allied research skills
  • Preliminary data collection
  • Begin study
  • Initiate manuscript writing: background, hypothesis, aims and methods
  • Identify Quality Improvement project and initiate action plan (either as PI or co-investigator)
Second year (greater emphasis on research)
July to DecemberJanuary to June
  • Continue conduct of experiment with ongoing data collection, interpretation and analysis.
  • Grant application (encouraged)
  • Abstract submission to national and regional meetings based on progress in study
  • Attend workshops/seminars on manuscript writing, specific research designs and or obtaining further research skills
    Continue/complete QI project
  • Progress/Complete study experiment
  • Design new research project based on current or preliminary results.
  • Continue Manuscript writing
  • Complete manuscript.
  • Abstract submission for national/regional meetings
  • Attend National/Regional Meetings
    Initiate other scholarly work pursuits: review articles, systematic meta-analysis, journal clubs, case reports etc.
  • Continue/complete QI project
Third year (largely focused on research)
July to DecemberJanuary to June
  • Complete study experiment
  • Complete manuscript and submit for publication
  • Continue work on other scholarly work
  • Complete QI project
  • Abstract submission to national and regional meetings
  • Attend workshops/seminars on manuscript writing, specific research designs and or obtaining further research skills
  • Complete unfinished work both for primary fellowship research project and other scholarly work
  • Complete manuscript and submit for publication
  • Abstract submission for national/regional meetings
  • Attend national/regional meetings
  • Identify future mentors and collaborators
  • Apply for further grant support or K awards based on future academic pursuits