Research Experience

The goal of the research component is to provide trainees with the fundamental skills required to perform original research in fields related to pediatric pulmonology.

Each fellow performs research in a laboratory of their choosing during the second and third years of training, facilitated by the program director. The process of selecting a research topic begins early in the first year, and the intent is to match each fellow’s interests with those of one of the many accomplished faculty available throughout Harvard. Collaboration is available with the Adult Pulmonary Unit at Massachusetts General Hospital, the Channing Laboratory, the Harvard School of Public Health and affiliated clinical and research facilities throughout the region. Some fellows are able to obtain a master’s degree in Public Health as part of their research years.

With the guidance of their research mentors, fellows are expected to generate a research question, develop an appropriate study design, collect and interpret data, and present the data in the form of an original publication. Fellows participate as active members of the research team, attending and participating in laboratory meetings and journal clubs. In order to ensure a successful research experience, each fellow is assigned a Scholarly Oversight Committee (SOC) which meets with the fellow biannually in order to assess the fellow’s progress, provide feedback, and ensure productivity according to guidelines of the American Board of Pediatrics. The program director also meets with fellows and mentors individually on a biannual basis to facilitate their progress.