https://www.augs.org/research/urogyncrest-program/
AUGS/DUKE Urogynecology Clinical Research Educational Scientist Training (UrogynCREST) Program is a 2-year online training program in pelvic floor disorders research and data science. Early-career faculty within approximately 7 years of fellowship who have a passion for research are invited to apply. Participants will learn how to obtain, prepare, and analyze existing datasets to conduct their innovative research project. They will gain skills and confidence in programming, data manipulation, and directing their own statistical analyses. They will have opportunities to present their work at national conferences, and network and initiate collaborations with others in the field. By the end of Year 2, they are expected to publish their results in a peer-reviewed journal. Participants are expected to spend 20 hours per month on this program.
Program activities include:
- Year 1: Coursework
- Participants use the Canvas online learning platform to access their coursework. Courses are taught by experts in study design, economic, psychometric, and decision-analytic studies, statistical techniques in R for health services research. Course content consists of reading material, didactic videos by the faculty, faculty-participants group discussions, and assignments with feedback from faculty.
- In addition, a Data Science component through Coursera will provide participants with a strong foundation in programming and data manipulation:
Introduction to Data Science via Coursera, which is Taught by Mine Çetinkaya-Rundel, Professor of the Practice of Statistical Science, Duke University
- Year 2: Mentor and Biostatistical Support, Data Access, Manuscript Submission
- Participants are matched with expert clinical mentors and a UrogynCREST alumni peer mentor. Mentors and biostatisticians work with participants to develop a Statistical Analysis Plan. Ongoing interaction ensures that projects adhere to the highest standards of scientific validity and remain on track. Biostatisticians will provide consultation and analytics support to help participants achieve their research objectives. The participant is expected to obtain an existing dataset, properly store the dataset (with assistance from the Duke Data Repository team), and prepare the dataset for analysis. Participants will also prepare the analysis materials for scientific transparency and reproducibility. At the completion of the 2nd year, participants submit their project-based manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal.
- Participants are required to attend quarterly virtual meetings with program leaders and two virtual Advisory Committee meetings.
The program lasts 2 years with the programs starting in March of each year. The applications open in the summer.
ELIGIBILITY. This program is for…
- Be a US citizen or permanent resident
- Be an active AUGS member
- Be an MD or DO (+/-PhD) with a faculty appointment
- Be within approximately 7 years of completion of FPMRS fellowship
- Have support from Chair/Division Director supporting the candidate’s commitment to complete the UrogynCREST program
- Have a commitment to pursue a research career as a physician-scientist in pelvic floor disorders
The program encourages participation from people who identify as belonging to communities historically underrepresented, disadvantaged, or marginalized in STEM.
For questions, contact rebecca.kameny@duke.edu.
PROGRAM SUPPORT
For questions about funding and other forms of support for this program, contact:
- Cindy Amundsen, PI and Director (cindy.amundsen@duke.edu)
- Eric Jelovsek, Co-PI (eric.jelovsek@duke.edu)
- Rebecca Kameny, Research Program Leader (rebecca.kameny@duke.edu)