Predoctoral Clinical Research Training Program (PCRTP)
The TL1 component of the CTRI Education and Training Division provides support for both Short-term and Long-term training in clinical research for students enrolled in health sciences doctoral programs at UCSD. The PCRTP is under the direction of Carolyn Kelly, MD. Please click on the relevant hyperlinks to access more information about each program.
Predoctoral students in UCSD Health Sciences may apply to either or both pathways. Preference is given to students who commit to pursue the Masters of Advanced Studies in Clinical Research (MAS) degree. Applications are typically due in March of each year.
For both Short- and Long-Term pathways, the TL1 includes stipend support at the current NIH predoctoral level for 12 months. The TL1 also supports the cost of health insurance. For students enrolled in the MAS Clinical Research program, the TL1 provides partial support for the tuition and ancillary fees. Current fees for the program are available here under “Fee schedule for medical students” 12-month pace. Further information regarding MAS program fees can be obtained from Krisztina Hershon, Program Coordinator, MAS in Clinical Research, Office of Advanced Professional Education and Development, (858)534-9164, khershon@ucsd.edu.
For more information about either the Short-term or Long-term programs, please contact Dr. Kelly. Her email address and phone number can be found here.
Dr. Justin Voog, recipient of the 2012 Award for Best Translational Research (Left), and Dr. Gary Firestein, Director of the CTRI and Associate Vice Chancellor, Translational Medicine (Right).
The CTRI recognized a graduating medical student for the first time this year, Dr. Justin Voog, a 2012 graduate of the UC San Diego MD-PhD Medical Scientist Training Program. Dr. Voog received a cash award of $500 in recognition of his promising future as a translational science investigator.
After completing his PhD in a basic research field, he became involved in clinical investigation, working under the direct mentorship of Arno J. Mundt, MD, Chair of the Department of Radiation Medicine and Applied Sciences. The overall medical student research program in that department is headed by their Director of Clinical and Translational Research, Dr. Loren Mell. “After speaking with Justin and reviewing his CV, it was readily apparent that he was an exceptionally talented and promising young basic scientist,” said Dr. Mundt. “I suggested, instead of reviewing charts and publishing a retrospective clinical study like the typical applicant, he should consider drawing on his knowledge of basic science and help design a novel prospective clinical trial.”
The work that Justin performed with Dr. Mundt’s guidance resulted in the design of a proposed Phase I clinical trial, "Phase I Trial of Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy and Sorafenib for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma." The design involves combining a novel radiotherapy approach (SBRT) with a novel targeted agent (Sorafenib) in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. “Justin brought much more to the table than the hard work of writing up the protocol, elegantly describing its rationale, and preparing it for IRB submission,” continued Dr. Mundt. “His review and understanding of the preclinical studies of both Sorafenib and of SBRT were instrumental in the ultimate design of the trial, particularly the timing of radiation and drug therapies.”
The protocol will soon be under IRB and regulatory review and will be performed in collaboration with Kelly Shimabukuro MD, a medical oncologist in the Department of Medicine who specializes in gastrointestinal tumors. The first patient will hopefully be treated by the end of this calendar year with anticipated completion in approximately 2 years. It is expected that the trial will result in publications on which Dr. Voog will be a coauthor. The CTRI intends to continue honoring junior investigators, such as Dr. Voog, who are passionate about translating advances in science into improvements in human health.