Outline
This is a 1-2 year experience available to a 2nd/3rd year Fellows in Hematology/Oncology interested in training in thrombosis, hemostasis and/or vascular disease epidemiology. Other types of trainees in other programs are also welcome to participate. The program is designed by the trainee and their mentor to meet the trainee's goals using any elements herein.
Faculty
Hematology-Oncology
Mary Cushman, MD, MSc, Professor of Medicine and Pathology
Chris Holmes, MD, PhD Associate Professor of Medicine
Neil Zakai, MD, MSc, Associate Professor of Medicine and Pathology
Steven Ades, MD, MSc Associate Professor of Medicine
Timothy Plante, MD, MHS Assistant Professor of Medicine
Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
Russell Tracy PhD Professor of Pathology and Biochemistry
Nancy Jenny, PhD, Associate Professor of Pathology
Michael Lewis, MD, Associate Professor of Pathology
Others as appropriate for specific projects.
Goals
To train fellows in research via projects in hemostasis, thrombosis and related topics. Projects relate to cardiovascular disease epidemiology or treatment/prevention, including arterial and venous disease, quality, implementation and outcomes research, or basic or translational aspects of hemostasis. Clinical/translational research emphasizes cancer and thrombosis. Goals are tailored to each candidate's specific research project and career path.
Possible Training Components:
- Clinical: Evaluation and management of patients with, or at risk of, venous thrombosis. Genetic counseling and treatment in those at high risk.
- Research methods: biostatistics and epidemiologic or clinical study design. Electronic health record / national hospital data-based health services research.
- Outcomes Research: Risk assessment tools, quality, and implementation science.
- Molecular epidemiology research: evaluation of phenotypic and genetic risk factors. Learn the role of this type of research for hypothesis formation about disease pathogenesis and public health applications.
- Clinical Trials: participate in ongoing trials or design and implement a trial.
- Masters or PhD program in Clinical and Translational Research, Master in Public Health.
- Operational aspects of a core laboratory for clinical and epidemiological research:
- Methods for managing biological samples in multicenter studies
- Clinical laboratory principles including quality control and assurance
- Assay methods: ELISA, chromogenic, automated coagulation tests, nephelometry, DNA analysis, multiplex technology, aptamer-based assays, other novel assay development.
- Peer Review. Learn peer review from experts. Dr. Cushman is a journal editor (Research and Practice in Thrombosis and Haemostasis) and all faculty review extensively or serve on editorial boards. Dr. Plante is Editor of Wiki Journal Club.
- Human Subjects research policy education.
Resources Available
- The Laboratory for Clinical Biochemistry Research (LCBR) has over 40 ongoing independent and collaborative multi-site research projects focused on vascular diseases including heart disease, stroke, and venous thrombosis. Other interests are in obesity, diabetes, aging, dementia, frailty, and HIV. We use a wide variety of assays in population and family-based research settings particularly in the areas of coagulation, fibrinolysis, thrombosis, inflammation, and immune system function, including cell manipulation assays. The main purposes are hypothesis formation about pathogenesis of vascular disease, but others include public health applications and clinical trials. Over 3 million human biological samples are stored in the biorepository for use in research. Projects usually involve collaborations with investigators at other institutions. Office space at the LCBR and use of a computer with needed software, are provided. PI's include Drs. Tracy, Cushman, Zakai, Lewis, and Jenny.
- Cardiovascular Research Institute (CVRI). This institute spans the spectrum of research on cardiovascular diseases, ranging from research in cardiac rehabilitation to gene therapy and cardiomyopathy. The program includes events that integrate programs across the institution, an active early career advisory committee, high profile visiting professors, and ample travel grants for trainees. Dr. Cushman is a board member and Dr. Tracy is a CVRI Distinguished Investigator.
- The Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program in the Division of Hematology-Oncology (THP) provides a clinical population of patients, primarily with venous thrombosis but also with arterial thrombosis (especially stroke). Clinical-translational research projects and trials can be developed. Hospital- and clinic-based outcomes research projects related to quality improvement and implementation science, or other topics, can be pursued. Current emphasis is on VTE prevention in cancer, VTE risk assessment in medical inpatients and optimizing treatment of VTE. PI's include Drs. Cushman, Holmes, Zakai, and Plante.
Funding Opportunities
Funding may be pursued from the Vermont Cancer Center, American Society of Hematology, American Society of Clinical Oncology, American Heart Association, Hemostasis and Thrombosis Research Society or other sources.
Experiences for Fellows in Hematology-Oncology
- Optional one-year continuity clinic in Thrombosis and Hemostasis.
- Attendance at meetings
- Laboratory Meetings of the lab(s) where the fellow is affiliated.
- Monthly Interdisciplinary Vermont Vascular Medicine Conference
- Monthly Vermont Emerging Research in Cardiovascular Science Conference
- Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program weekly Clinical Case Conference
- At least weekly meeting with research mentor.
- Quarterly Thrombosis and Hemostasis Program – Maternal Fetal Medicine Service Case Conference.
- Quarterly Multidisciplinary Stroke Conference
- Networking career development events of the CVRI
- Research Project: The Fellow will identify a research mentor in their first fellowship year by meeting each program faculty member. It is expected that they carry out a project and publish the results, including at least one presentation at a national meeting and one published manuscript. Fellows are encouraged to write a grant proposal under the guidance of their mentor.
- Often the fellow will spend their full third year, apart from the required continuity clinic, working on their research project.
- It is recommended, but not required, that fellows spend a fourth year to optimize full-time research training.
Experiences for Trainees at Other Levels
Determined on an individual basis depending on the level of the trainee and the project undertaken.
