Clinical and Translational Distinction Track

All instructions and required forms can be found on the CTDT Graduate School Moodle page.

Goals:

Graduate students participating in the CTDT Program will:

1. Gain exposure to, and experience in, clinical research environments that will enhance their awareness of:
   1. Unique challenges faced by clinical research physicians
   2. The need for clinical and basic science collaboration in successful clinical and translational research
2. Gain an appreciation for how recent/relevant basic research findings are disseminated and implemented within the clinical environment
3. Improve communication skills through designing and implementing informational presentations to professional colleagues or the general public.

Declaration of Participation

• A letter of nomination must be submitted to the CTDT Coordinator or Advisor and the School of Graduate Studies at any time after the graduate student has been approved as a PhD candidate.
• The student must obtain this letter of nomination from his/her Dissertation Research mentor, indicating permission from the mentor as well as the Department Head.
• The student will be notified of acceptance into the program in writing by the CTDT coordinator.

Clinical Research Mentor

• The student will be responsible for identifying a clinical faculty member actively engaged in clinical research who will agree to act as the student’s clinical research mentor. The CTDT coordinator and advisor may provide assistance in identifying the clinical mentor.
• The clinical mentor will be responsible for providing the student with opportunities for participation in the clinical research environment.
• A letter of agreement between the student and the clinical research mentor that includes a defined plan and timeline will be submitted to the CTDT Coordinator, the Graduate School, the student’s dissertation mentor and the student’s Department Head.

Student Commitments and Responsibilities

1. Seminar
   • During their time in the program, all students will be required to attend a monthly clinically oriented seminar (for example, Grand Rounds, or clinical seminars sponsored by the Feist-Weiller Cancer Center or The Center for Cardiovascular Diseases and Sciences)
   • A total of approximately 2 hours of dedicated time per month is required for the seminar aspect of this program, and attendance must be documented on the appropriate form.
2. Clinical Experience
   • Students are required to spend 15-20 hours of one semester in the clinical research environment, in a capacity determined by their clinical research mentor.
3. Collaboration Experience
   • The student is required (once) to partner with a medical student who has done a basic science research project (e.g., summer research or RDT student) to help them prepare a poster for presentation. Ideally, this medical student will have engaged in research related to the CTDT participant’s dissertation research.
4. Capstone Project
   • CTDT students will complete one of the following Capstone Projects:
     1. Create and present a seminar, Grand Rounds presentation, or other presentation in a professional setting that addresses an aspect of clinical/translational research (ongoing clinical trials, drug discovery, human research, etc.)
     2. Create an informative/educational presentation on a medical condition, medical screening or research opportunity, to be presented in at least one public setting (health fair, disease-specific support group or class, community meeting, etc.).

Completion of Program

• Completion of all requirements must be documented by completing the appropriate forms and submitting these to the CTDT Coordinator or Advisor, the Department Head and the Graduate School.
• The clinical research mentor must complete the form certifying the student’s completion of CTDT program requirements.
• Copies of this letter must be submitted to the student’s department head, the student’s dissertation mentor, the Graduate School and the CTDT Coordinator or Advisor, who will notify the Registrar of program completion.

Clinical and Translational Distinction Award

• Following verification of program requirement fulfillments, recognition of completion will be noted on the student’s transcript.

Withdrawal from the CTDT

• Students who wish to withdraw from the CTDT Program may do so at any time without penalty by notifying their clinical research mentor, their Department Head, their dissertation mentor, the Graduate School and the CTDT Coordinator or Advisor in writing.
• Students who do not complete all program requirements will not be awarded CTDT recognition, but no penalty will be administered.