Faculty Clinical Research Program

After recognizing that research conducted by clinical faculty has not advanced correspondingly with basic science research at BCD and identifying the major deterrents for engaging in such activity, the College initiated in 2006 the Faculty Clinical Research Program (CRP).  Developed by Dr. Francisco Rivera-Hidalgo, the program's objective is to re-establish clinical faculty involvement in research as a top priority at the College.

The 2006 CRP Scholars, Dr. Celeste Abraham and Dr. Jenny He, with Dr. Francisco Rivera-Hidalgo.

The CRP provides both financial and physical resources including a work room for clinicians engaged in clinical research, didactic presentations and rotations, salary relief funds, and support for presentation and publication of research findings.

CRP Grants

The establishment of non-competitive grants created the opportunity for faculty in clinical departments to pursue research studies.  These grants, plus flexible training programs specifically developed for each participant allow clinical faculty to learn, refresh or update the information needed to engage in clinical research.  The CRP grants fall into two categories:

A one-year grant provided to a department to hire a one-day replacement for the scheduled clinical assignment of a full-time (at least 4-days at the College) faculty member that would like to get started in clinical research. This would require the department to completely free the faculty member for one-and-a-half days a week to engage in research related activities. The selected faculty member would agree to participate in a faculty development program in clinical research, develop a clinical research proposal, and carry-out the research during the year. Funds include $2,000-$5,000 for the research project. Suggested funding levels for the release time and project expenses could be in the range of $12,000-$15,000 per investigator.

A six-month, renewable two-time grant provided to a department to hire a one-day replacement for the scheduled clinical assignment of a full-time faculty member that requires extended time to engage in clinical research. This would require the department to completely free the faculty member for one-and-a-half days a week to engage in research related activities. The selected faculty member would have successfully completed the faculty development program in clinical research and be in the process of developing a new clinical research proposal and/or conducting the research during this time. Suggested funding levels for the release time could be in the range of $5,000-$6,000 per investigator plus $1,000 for research expenses per period.

Both of these grants provide non-competitive awards to clinical department faculty with at least a 4-day commitment to the College. Accepting a grant commits the faculty member to 3 more years of service to the College and to complete the clinical project.  

These grants will be made available yearly to at least 2 clinical departments and should continue for 5 years. After an initial period, it is expected that the clinician researcher would be confident and experienced enough to search and obtain other funding for new projects. When external grant funding is obtained, salary compensation should provide for release time from the clinic for the investigator. These grants should allow the establishment of a cadre of clinical researchers and of clinical research activity. An environment of clinical research will indirectly encourage other faculty and students to participate, bring about investigator initiated research, and will encourage scientific inquiry at all levels.

CRP Study Rotations

The Interdisciplinary Study Rotation is a series of ten half-days of clinical rotation of faculty through a particular graduate level clinic to further the understanding of a particular specialty program and allow interaction with the faculty and graduate students. Each department hosting the rotation will determine the level of involvement (observing, assisting, or treating) after meeting with the applying faculty. This rotation would allow learning, integration and stimulate interdisciplinary study and research.

This rotation is a series of ten half-days of research participation with a particular project to further the understanding of a specific topic and allow interaction with faculty and graduate students in biomaterials, biomedical and public health research. Each researcher hosting the clinician will determine the level of involvement (observing, assisting, or doing) after meeting with the applying faculty. This rotation would allow learning, integration and stimulate interdisciplinary study and research.

CRP Application

frivera-hidalgo@bcd.tamhsc.edu