Laying the Foundation for Research
The Center for Research Training provides unique resources promoting discovery and research.
As UF Health Jacksonville and the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville move forward in the collective mission to heal, to comfort, to educate and to discover, the Center for Research Training provides unique resources that promote discovery and research.
The Center for Research Training is part of the larger ecosystem within the Office of Research Affairs and provides faculty a variety of opportunities to learn how to conduct sound and impactful research. More importantly, the center is structured to allow engagement across the full spectrum of interest levels, from those looking to obtain general knowledge on research processes to those wanting to build large, federally funded research programs.
The Tiers
The Center for Research Training comprises three research training programs that offer a tiered curriculum ranging from the basics of clinical research to applying for grants. The tiers include Research Essentials, Research Training Academy and Jax Scholars.
Tier 1: Research Essentials
All Faculty, Fellows and Trainees
Research Essentials provides a broad introduction to research and features free monthly seminars for anyone interested in research.
- Study Design
- Basic Biostatistics
- Scientific Writing
- Networking
- Career Forums
Tier 2: Research Training Academy
Select Faculty
Research Training Academy, or RTA, targets a more specific group of faculty members selected by their department chairs and offers them protected time to engage in more intensive training on grant writing and research methodology.
- In-Depth Study Design
- Grant Writing Course
- Grant Support and Funding Opportunities
- Career Coaching
Tier 3: Jax Scholars
Top RTA Applicant
Jax Scholars represents a very select group of faculty with a deep personal commitment as well as support from their chair to build and maintain federally funded research programs. These scholars are selected from the group of RTA participants, and receive funding to conduct research projects and advance their research careers. In addition to internal funding support, they also receive career coaching from the Office of Research Affairs staff and center directors Faheem Guirgis, MD, and Colleen Kalynych, EdD.
- Two-Year Program
- Dedicated Protected Time
- $15k/year for Research
- K Grant Application
Faheem Guirgis, MD, and Colleen Kalynych, EdD, directors of the Center for Research Training.
Sarah King, program manager for the Center for Research Training, says the program has seen great success and hopes to generate more interest from eligible faculty.
“Currently, there are three Jax Scholars in Tier 3 are receiving support to build independently funded research programs in cardiology, pediatric genetics and cancer biomarkers/therapeutics. In parallel, more than 20 faculty across several departments are or have participated in the Tier 2 Research Training Academy since its inception in 2019,” King said. “These programs are valuable tools we have developed for our faculty that foster growth, mentorship and development for those who want to dive into research on any level.”
While all tiers are important for learning the research process, Jax Scholars is significant. Following the completion of the course and a grant submission process, one faculty member is selected to receive the Jax Scholars award. The award allows selected faculty 30% of protected time for research activities and career development during the two-year position. The award winner also receives $30,000 in research funding split evenly between the two years.
Faculty members in the Center for Research Training program during a research session.
Tina Bottini, senior associate dean for research affairs, says this program provides a balance between research pursuits and clinical duties.
“Our training programs are designed to help faculty achieve success in the research process,” Bottini said. “These resources are readily available and serve as a tool to increase and encourage clinical research on our campus as we work to find solutions to advance medicine.”
Visit med.jax.ufl.edu/center-research-training for more information or call 904.244.9276 to learn how to apply.
