Research Rotation Year 2

All endocrinology trainees are required to participate in research. Participation involves developing a research question or hypothesis, formulating a research plan, writing it up for review by a mentor and, if appropriate, other review committees. Fellows are then expected to carry out the research under the supervision of their mentor, analyze the data and present it at an endocrinology section conference. This is the minimum requirement. The trainees are also encouraged to submit abstracts to regional and national meetings, present papers at these meetings, write manuscripts for submission to journals and eventually publish their work in a peer-reviewed journal.

Each fellow is given four to five months time during the two-year training program to do research. Each of the major teaching hospitals in the program have committed to allowing the fellows protected time for performing research activities free of clinical responsibilities. The trainees usually take this time on a weekly basis where 85 percent of their time can be devoted to research. Under special circumstances, block time is given to the trainee free of any clinical responsibilities. Most endocrinology fellows elect to at least start their research participation with clinical projects, although a full range of basic science projects with endocrinology faculty and PhDs are available for the trainees.

Potential research mentors/interests at the Phoenix VA Medical Center:

  • Dr. Mitch Harman – Aging, hypogonadism, pituitary insufficiency.
  • Dr. Peter Reaven – Atherosclerosis, vascular biology, lipoproteins, obesity, diabetes.
  • Dr. Jerome Targovnik – Vascular biology, diabetes.
  • Dr. Ricardo Correa – Endocrine and immunology, pituitary and adrenals problems.
  • Dr. Karyne Vinales – Obesity.
  • Dr. Ming Li – Thyroid cancer and thyroid dysfunction.
  • Dr. Mahmoud Alsayed – Thyroid nodules.
  • Dr. Sathya J – Inpatient management of diabetes.

Potential Research mentors at the National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases (NIDDK):

  • Dr. Jonathan Krakoff – Diabetes physiology and biochemistry.
  • Dr. William Knowler – Diabetes epidemiology.
  • Dr. Clifton Bogardus – Diabetes, genetics.

Potential Research mentors at Arizona State University:

  • Dr. Matthew Buman – Health implementation via technology.

Optional Research Training – Year 3

With appropriate funding, endocrinology fellows can take an additional year of research experience at the NIH branch of the NIDDK or with a VA investigator funded to do research. This additional year of training can be either in basic or clinical research with some ongoing clinical activities permitted. The latter usually represents approximately 15 percent of the trainees' time, either in a continuity clinic or taking night and weekend call. The rest of the time they are performing research. The trainees are encouraged to take one class per semester at Arizona State University. The recommended courses include: statistics, scientific writing and any subjects that would contribute to their research project.