Research Resources
Start Up Research
Research is a cornerstone of a clinician’s career in academic medicine. Engaging in research as a principal investigator or clinical consultant allows physicians to leverage their clinical expertise, advance their academic careers, and design and implement impactful studies.
Basic science research delves into understanding fundamental biological mechanisms and processes through laboratory studies, often utilizing cell cultures or animal models. This foundational knowledge helps uncover how life functions at its core. Clinical trial research, on the other hand, focuses on testing interventions or treatments directly on human subjects. These trials evaluate the safety and efficacy of interventions in treating diseases or medical conditions, applying the insights gained from basic science to improve patient care. A clinical trial study prospectively assigns human subjects to one or more interventions (including placebos or controls) to assess the effects of these interventions on health-related biomedical or behavioral outcomes.
Clinicians often conceive research ideas that could lead to life-saving treatments, advance precision medicine, and transform patient care. However, initiating such research requires startup funding and staffing support. To assist clinicians with research proposals exceeding $2,500 after utilizing their initial startup funds, the Orthopaedics Research Committee provides financial support.
To apply for this support, clinicians must:
- If the proposal involves a clinical trial, please seek guidance from our Clinical Research Operations Manager, Eric McVey.
- Prepare a two-page proposal with a detailed budget.
- Obtain approval from their division chief.
Once prepared, the proposal should be submitted to Dr. Li, Vice Chair of Research. Dr. Li will discuss the proposal with the Research Committee, which includes Dr. Li, Dr. Chhabra, Dr. Cui, Dr. Werner, Dr. Novicoff, Eric McVey, and the division head as an ad hoc member. Upon committee approval, the budget is forwarded to Mary-Leigh Thacker (COO) and Laura Simmons (Department Research Administrator) for financial review. If departmental funds can support the proposal, it will be sent to Dr. Chhabra for final approval. Once approved, the clinician can begin their start-up research.
The ultimate goal of this funding is to help clinicians secure federal or non-profit private foundation grants for basic science research or clinical trial funding from pharmaceutical companies, federal agencies (e.g., NIH, DOD), or non-profit organizations. Clinicians are encouraged to share their research findings in peer-reviewed journals to contribute to the broader scientific community.