As we continue to revamp the research infrastructure on the UF Health Jacksonville campus, we are excited to announce the development of the Center for Research Training. This new center, created and guided by Faheem Guirgis, M.D., is a three-tiered system in which faculty at the University of Florida College of Medicine – Jacksonville can receive mentorship, education and other support as they learn about the research process. The system is specifically designed to address the varying levels of research interest on campus.

Tier One, Research Essentials, will provide a broad introduction and feature free monthly seminars for anyone interested in research, from the “dabblers” to those who may have a slightly more serious interest. The seminars will be devoted to understanding UF research resources and the general research process, which includes developing a research question and research hypothesis, understanding the Institutional Review Board, study design basics, data collection and storage, and evaluating and analyzing data, among other topics.

All of the seminars, held on the fourth floor of the Clinical Center, will begin at noon and last either one or two hours. They will be recorded for remote viewing later or in real time. Dates will be announced soon.

RESEARCH TRAINING ACADEMY, JAX SCHOLARS 

Tier Two, the Research Training Academy, will target a more specific group of faculty members selected by department chairs to undergo more intensive training on grant writing and research methodology. The academy is uniquely designed for each participant to finish the program with a grant application that is ready to submit to an external funding agency.

Each year, the academy will run for four months, with multiple topics covered each session. Topics will include refining and presenting a research question, mentor matchmaking, designing and presenting a study design, developing research data forms and much more.

Tier Three, Jax Scholars, will have an even greater focus, specifically targeting one or two faculty members per year who will have significant time allotted by their department chair for research. Participants will receive funding to pursue advanced research training, including options for a certificate or master’s degree in a research-related discipline. A council of senior researchers will select Jax Scholars from a pool of faculty members who have been a part of the Research Training Academy.

This three-tiered system will help strengthen our campus’ research ecosystem, provide something for everyone and further position our college as this area’s research leader in the health sciences. We encourage faculty to take full advantage of the resources.

An interactive website will provide access to educational resources, online lectures and a schedule of events for interested faculty. For more information about the Center for Research Training, contact Guirgis at Faheem.Guirgis@jax.ufl.edu or Nazle Jonnalagadda at Nazle.Jonnalagadda@jax.ufl.edu.