NIDCR DIR Clinical Training

National Institute Of Dental & Craniofacial Research

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

In FY2021, the NIDCR DIR Clinical Research Fellowship program supported the training of 7 dentist-scientists in clinical and translational research studying diseases of the craniofacial systems: Drs. Priyam Jani, Nadine Almpani, Josh Emrick, Jose Maldonado, Drake Williams, Zohreh Khavandgar, Joe Nguyen, Shaun Abrams. Due to COVID, many activities continue to be on hold or delayed, including some research lab activity and clinical care, and attendance to national meetings. We continued to have the weekly Clinical Case Conferences as this forum was always webex-available. Most national meetings were virtual or deferred due to the COVID pandemic. The trainees also attended NIH-wide Clinical Research Seminars that were available by video. The trainees have continued to participate in the NIH-Duke Masters program in Clinical Research, however, many activities were modified or cancelled due to COVID and this has effected the normal progression to completion of projects. Due to COVID, the annual national meeting of AADR, a major conference for our fellows to attend, present, and network, was virtual in July 2021. The Clinical Research Fellows held a panel session and a symposium to highlight the ongoing clinical research at NIDCR and several clinical research training opportunities at the NIDCR and NIH. The co-directors, Drs. Jacki Mays and Janice Lee, met with interested applicants who are considering the fellowship. Unfortunately, due to COVID, several academic programs have indicated that there were hiring freezes though some programs are starting to hire again. This has impacted our fellows' ability to seek academic positions and career transitions for FY2021. The fellows continue to apply for mentored grants (ie K-awards) to support their transition to independent clinical research and faculty positions. The fellows continue to transition to academic faculty positions and NIH intramural clinical research opportunities.