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November 2008
Making matches
Dr. Girish Shirali is ready to play matchmaker.
He's eager to introduce the 150 investigators in the DCRI to the 25 pediatric fellows who have research requirements.
"The fellows are unaware of these investigators and their needs, and the
investigators are unaware of the fellows and their interest in collaboration," he says. Currently, just one fellow is involved with research on children's issues.
As vice chairman for fellowship education, Dr. Shirali sees untapped potential in the possible successes that could result from these unions. Along with Dr. Bernard Maria, executive director of the DCRI, Dr. Shirali hosted a discussion with the fellows to talk about possible collaborations.
The timing is perfect.
Fellows must demonstrate a work product that is the result of research, clinical or translational, yet at this stage most are undecided about what they'll do. "They're still developing their ideas and learning. They're very open to formulating a study."
That makes these fledging researchers ideal potential targets for DCRI investigators.
Dr. Shirali is on stand-by, ready to help them reach out to each other. "I'm hoping investigators will step up to the plate, will embrace these fellows and their potential. The initiative has to come from the investigators, because the fellows are still developing, still learning how to structure research studies."
DCRI investigators have a lot to gain by making the first move: "These are clinical fellows, so they're perfect for bridging the bench-to-bedside gap," notes Dr. Shirali.
Just three months into his role as chairman, Dr. Shirali is determining how to best get the word out to the fellows about all that's going on in the DCRI.
"The introduction has to be practical. Investigators must propose projects that could be completed within one to two years with a limited schedule."
Six fellows in pediatric sub-specialties could have particular appeal. "These are board-eligible pediatricians and, at the end of their training, they'll be board-certified in a sub-specialty as well."
Dr. Shirali's wish: investigators get in touch with department directors with a list of research projects that fellows can review.
"This is a good time to start - fellows are still learning to become clinically-adept at their studies," he explains. "They could review the list and use it to decide on what research projects they'll pursue after the first busy year of clinical training.
"Our mission is to inspire and involve the next generation," he says.
Pediatric Fellows
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Inderjit Singh, PhD
Scientific Director
Darby Children's Research Inst. |
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Bernard L. Maria, MD, MBA
Executive Director
Darby Children's Research Inst. |
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