Career Development Programs:

Women's Reproductive Health Research Program (WRHR)

Women's Health Career Development Center

Principal Investigator
Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, M.D.

Program Co-Directors
Louise Laurent, M.D., Ph.D.
Marianna Alperin, M.D., M.S.

Recruitment Officers
Marianna Alperin, M.D., M.S.
Pamela Mellon, Ph.D.

Overview

UC San Diego's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences is the home to the multidisciplinary Women's Reproductive Health Research (WRHR) Career Development Center, a faculty training program ( K12) established in 1999 and funded continuously by the National Institutes of Health. The Center is dedicated to developing a cadre of broadly trained, independently funded, clinician scientists investigating key areas of women's health. Mentors with established research programs, together with collaborating departments, form the intellectual, clinical and scientific base for mentoring junior faculty accepted into the program.

Building on basic science research in 7 emphasis areas:

1. Neuroendocrine Control of Reproductive Function
2. Gonadal & Stem Cell Biology
3. Fetal Physiology
4. Obesity and Metabolism in Reproduction
5. Epidemiology of Women's Health
6. Gynecological Oncology
7. Urogynecology

Qualified Scholars are recently trained in Obstetrics and Gynecology having an M.D. and having finished a residency or fellowship. They are appointed as junior faculty with the goal of becoming cutting-edge scientists with independent academic research programs benefiting Women's Health. Each Scholar is paired with an eminent mentor in their area of research interest and the Center oversees the Scholars' evolution into mature investigators fully prepared for tenure in prominent research universities. A two-phase program of supervised, then mentored, learning is be supplemented with individualized courses, seminars and tutorials. In addition, the program includes linkage of Scholars with selected translational research collaborators who assist Scholars in conducting and publishing research in clinical areas relevant to their basic science focus. Throughout the 4-5 year scholarship, the scholars develop skills in scientific research, ethics, grant writing, mentoring trainees, teaching, and publications. Funding is awarded for up to five years. The Center's primary goal is to produce academic clinicians that are experts at research, as well as patient care.

What makes the UC San Diego program different?

The reasons that UC San Diego is a top choice among WRHR programs nationwide include:

• 75% protected time for research.
• A large number of outstanding scientists available as enthusiastic mentors with a wide variety of areas of interest within Women's Health.
• Up to 25% time spent in clinical activities in the scholar's area of interest in a variety of clinical settings.
• Training in a variety of areas ranging from molecular and developmental studies to population research and epidemiology, many of which are unique to our outstanding research environment in La Jolla.
• Quality of faculty - our mentors have extensive experience in a wide variety of areas and are drawn from Departments across the School of Medicine including the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences.
• Focused, frequent mentoring by the Principal Investigator, the Research Director, and the WRHR Board members.
• A large community of scientists and clinicians devoted to research and patient care in Women's Health with whom Scholars interact extensively.
• Ample opportunities to participate in departmental, national and international scientific and clinical conferences, meetings, and symposia.
• A long, successful history of training clinical and research fellows and WRHR Scholars in maternal-fetal medicine, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, gynecological oncology, epidemiology, family planning and urogynecology.
• Academic life skills training in the UCSD National Center for Leadership in Academic Medicine (NCLAM).
• Clinical research training through the UC San Diego Clinical Research Enhancement through Supplemental Training (CREST) Program.
• Ethics training and teaching opportunities through the Research Ethics Program of UC San Diego.

How to Apply

The UC San Diego WRHR Center is looking for interested Scholars with these qualifications:

• Finishing an OB/GYN residency or OB/GYN subspecialty fellowship
• Committed to an academic career with a research component
• Have a focused interest in research with research experience
• Possess an interest in using basic science approaches to new bedside techniques
• Have an interest in basic, translational or clinical research

To apply please go to ObGyn Research - Assistant Professor (Adjunct)  -  (Please note: Application form is valid past published expiration date of September 2021.  An updated form is forthcoming.)

Reproductive Scientist Development Program (RSDP)

Women's Health Career Development Center

For physician scientists focused on basic science research, UC San Diego's Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences also sponsors scholars in the Reproductive Scientist Development Program, which provides support for a 5- to 6-year career development period. For the first 2-3 years (Phase I), scholars receive intensive basic science training in research laboratories under the supervision of experienced mentors. In the following 3 years (Phase II), scholars establish their independent research programs.

How to Apply

The UC San Diego Women's Health Career Development Center is looking for interested Scholars with these qualifications:

• Finishing an OB/GYN residency or OB/GYN subspecialty fellowship
• Committed to an academic career with a research component
• Have a focused interest in research with research experience
• Possess an interest in using basic science approaches to new bedside techniques
• Have an interest in basic, translational or clinical research

For information on the application process, please see the RSDP Program page.

To inquire about conducting an RSDP project at UCSD, please contact:
Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, M.D.
Professor and Chair
cgyamfibannerman@health.ucsd.edu

Marianna Alperin, M.D., M.S.
Professor and Vice Chair for Translational Research
malperin@ucsd.edu

Pamela L. Mellon, Ph.D.
Distinguished Professor and Vice Chair for Research
pmellon@ucsd.edu