Motivation for Research in Radiology

Elizabeth A. Krupinski, PhDDepartment Radiology & Imaging Sciences

Emory University

Why Do Research?• Bad but common reasons

– Cuz I have to– Cuz it gets me out of that clinical stuff

• Lofty reasons– I want to cure cancer– I want to win a Nobel prize

• Good reasons– Better able & more critically review literature– Clinical thinking skills more evidence-based– Connections & collaborations

Imaging-Related Research at NIH as Function All NIH Funding

Millions

Kalutkiewicz & Ehman Patents as proxies; NIH hubs in innovation. Nature Biotech 2014;32:536-537

What Does it Take to Excel?

Passion & Patience!• It has to come from within• Projects assigned by others may get you

started but your ideas pave long-term path• It’s OK to explore!• Use every day experiences to find questions• Read journals, attend meetings, ID gaps• Attend GR & RIPS! Other departments too

Seek Mentorship!• Most faculty willing to meet, talk, help• Most people have multiple mentors

– Different goals– Different aspects work/life

• Don’t wait• Don’t be afraid to ask

Good Mentors

• Active listeners• Dedicated to their success• Dedicated to success others• Willing to go to bat for others• Engaged – know the big picture• Willing to explore outside comfort zone• Respectful, responsible, ready

Mentorship Goals• Chemistry – bonds

– Assigned vs chosen• Formal vs informal• Mutual goals & expectations• Career advice vs mentorship• Diversity

Getting Started• Create plan – 1, 3, 5 year (maybe longer)

– Who, what, where, why, when• Put your CV in order• Get possible mentor CVs

– Not just publications etc.– Who have they mentored/worked with

• Ask others who the good mentors are• Not just senior & famous faculty

• Use templates when you can• Ask others how they see you/your goals• Get feedback – throughout career• Be willing to change course• Diversify

Do you have a formal mentoring program for junior faculty?Krupinski & Votaw Acad Rad 2015;22:918-932

Factors limiting junior faculty advancement (according to VC-R)

Emory CTSA• Clinical and Translational Science Award: large

infrastructure grant to support clinical & translational research to speed bench-to-bedside translation of discoveries

• Funding, newsletter, resources

http://medicine.emory.edu/research/internal-research-resources/research-resources/actsi.html

Alignment With NCATS

National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences: NCATS develops innovations to reduce, remove or bypass costly & time-consuming bottlenecks in translational science process, to speed development & delivery new drugs, diagnostics, medical devices & behavioral interventions to patients https://ncats.nih.gov/

MS Clinical Research• http://medicine.emory.edu/research/whats-up/announcements/

MSCR-2013.html • Emory MSCR part of Research Education, Training, & Career

Development (RETCD) program ACTSI   • MSCR provides didactic & mentored clinical &/or translational

research training• Designed for participants who hold doctorate or equivalent degree

(physicians, fellows, jr faculty) & have demonstrated commitment to career in clinical investigation that incorporates clinical &/or translational research

Ethical Conduct of Research• Responsibility and Authority for your Research• Integrity and Quality of Research Data• Authorship Matters• Research Mentorship/Supervision of

Students/Trainees• Education of those trainees in Ethical Principles• Conflict of Interest

• Disclosure vs reporting• Medical Professionalism• Informed Consent and Social Responsibility

Resources• Office Compliance http://compliance.emory.edu/• ACTSI http://www.atlantactsi.org/ • ACTSI Ethical Dilemmas

http://www.actsi.org/discovery/ethics-center.html

• Start early – early exposure most predictive success– Past productivity = future productivity

• Attend workshops– Grant writing, paper writing, research

• RSNA, AUR, ARRS• Dept & university

• Present– Locally & nationally

Funding• Diversity is key!• Junior faculty/career development awards

– Societies, foundations, federal– Explore travel grants

• Collaborate! Get on others’ grants• Be persistent – it will take time & multiple tries• Use Grant Review Committee!!!!

Getting Started Without Funds- Retrospective for hypothesis building- Data mining existing databases- Pursue clinically impactful project- Find lab similar interests & volunteer

- No experience – act as postdoc- Experience – select project within

scope mentor’s interest & strength- Seek startups awards- Branch off & work towards independence

Good Early Sources• Specialty societies

– RSNA, AUR, SNMMI, SIR, SAR etc.• AHA, Dana Foundation, Gates Foundation,

ACS, Ryan White, Komen

RSNA• http://rsna.org/Grants-and-Awards/• Education Scholar Grant: $75,000 1 yr• RSNA/AUR/APDR/SCARD Radiology Education Research

Development Grant: $10,000 1 yr• Research Scholar Grant: $150,000 2 yrs• Research Resident/Fellow Grant: $30,000/$50,000 1 yr • Research Seed Grant: $40,000 1 yr• Research Medical Student Grant: $3,000 10 wk + dept

match• http://rsna.org/Grants-and-Awards/

AUR Radiology Research Alliance• http://www.aur.org/uploadedFiles/Alliances/

RRA/rra_compendium.pdf • Research Initiatives in Radiology and the

Radiological Sciences (2005, being updated)– NIH (NCI, NIBIB, and molecular imaging) – ACRIN, ARRS, AAR, ARRS, ISMRM, RRA/AUR,

RSNA) – AIMBE (American Institute Med & Biol Eng),

AAPM (Am Assn Physicists Med)

Routing Administrative Items• PI Eligibility Form: To certify in EPEX must first

be set-up so need to complete PI Eligibility Form• eCOI: Every proposal requires eCOI form - pre-

award specialist will set up in eCOI system & you receive system generated email asking complete

• Budget template: Requires use internal budget template to calculate costs – Several types taking into account fringe rate(s)

during proposed performance period– Pre-award specialist will select most

appropriate budget template & assist you with allocating funds

Where To Start?•Notify Vice Chair Research/Dept Chair•Notify Mentor/Supervisor•Notify RAS - C&I Office•Complete Intent to Submit form https://redcap.emory.edu/surveys/?s=YTCJK7333X%20

GET INSPIRED!!

Questions?

ekrupin@emory.edu