Pediatric Resident Research Track
Pediatric Resident Research Track
Rochester has a strong commitment to training excellent community and academic clinicians as well as pediatric scientists. Currently we offer two tracks to residents – the resident research and the physician-scientist development tracks. These tracks are designed to support individual resident needs to meet their future career goals.
The research track, designed to accommodate a wide range of interests, is an option for all residents, regardless of their prior research experience. This program supports residents in the development of a mentored, resident-led research project. Residents may propose qualitative or quantitative projects in the areas of health service, clinical, translational, or bench research.
Opportunities for Residents
- Participation in a research curriculum designed to provide and enhance your skills in:
- Research Techniques
- Grantsmanship
- Data analysis
- Manuscript writing
- Scientific presentations
- A smooth transition and competitive advantage when applying for fellowships
- Flexible program tailored to maximize your clinical experience and research opportunities
- Personalized training from experts in your chosen area of interest
- Recognition of Distinction in Research upon graduation
General Program Structure
Residents during their first year meet with the track director who provides individual guidance on project ideas and mentor selection. Residents may seek mentorship either from the pediatric faculty or from any other department at the University, when appropriate. There are 8 weeks of protected elective research time, including a 2-week research curriculum early in the second year. As with all tracks, residents have half days of protected time to work on their projects. Residents are expected to present their projects at the Annual Trainees’ Research Grand Rounds. Residents are also encouraged and provided travel funds to present their work at national conferences and/or publish their work.
Physician Scientist Development Track
This is an exciting new program starting in the 2024-2025 academic year and designed for residents with an advanced research background or those who desire a future physician scientist career. Participating residents will be provided up to 4 months of research time. Residents may choose to participate in the research track curriculum. In addition, physician-scientist track residents will receive mentorship through a scholarly oversight committee and be paired with a physician-scientist career mentor. Travel funds will be provided to trainees to support presentations at national conferences. Residents interested in this track are encouraged to reach out to the track and residency program director during the first half of their intern year for participation approval.
Contact Us
Candace Gildner, M.D., PH.D.
Director of Pediatric Residency Research Tracks
Alumni Participants
Class of 2024
- Eric Balta, MD.*
Project: TCA Cycle Metabolons in Cardiac Mitichondria
Mentor: George Porter, MD, PhD
- Jennifer Battaglia, MD*
Project: Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Infancy
Mentor: Amy Burris, MD
- Laura Owlett, MD*
Project: Multicenter Appraisal of Comorbid TANGO2 Deficiency Disorder in Patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrme
Mentor: Samuel Mackenzie, MD, PhD
*Presented at National Conferences
Class of 2023
- Bryan Jan, MD, MS *
Project: Asian American Parent Responses to Pregnancy and Infant Loss
Mentor: Erin Denney-Koelsch, MD
- Rachel Jones, MD*
Project: Pediatric Resident and Advanced Practice Provider Night Shift Handoffs: Mnemonic Utilization, Perceived Quality, and Impact on Patient Care
Mentor: Lauren Solan, MD, MEd
- Hope Kile, MD*
Project: A Cyclophilin-D Mitochondira-Redox Differentiation Pathway Regulates Neonatal Heart Bioenergetics and Function
Mentor: George Porter, MD, PhD
- Andrew Pulfer, MD*
Project: Gaps in Pediatric Trainee Education using EHR Order Metadata
Mentor: Adam Dziorny, MD, PhD
- Hollie Schaffer, MD
Project: Adherence to Asthma Guidelines and Correlation with Asthma Outcomes by SES Factors
Mentor: Jamie Wooldridge, MD
*Presented at National Conferences
Class of 2022
- Danielle Ackley, MD*
Projet: Human Milk-derived Fortifiers are linked with feed extension due to hypoglycemia in infants <1250 g or <30 weeks: a matched retrospective chart review
Mentor: Bridget Young, PhD
- Disi Chen, MD *
Project: Inhaled Epoprostenol Improves Right Ventricular Pressure in Critically Ill Children with Pulmonary Hypertension.
Mentor: Rajeev Devanagondi, MD
*Presented at National Conferences
Recent Publications
- Kenney, HM, Battaglia, J, Herman, K, Beck, LA. Atopic dermatitis and IgE-mediated food allergy: Common biologic targets for therapy and prevention. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2024 Jun 21:S1081-1206(24)00370-3.
- Owlett, LD et al. (2024) Multicenter appraisal of comorbid TANGO2 deficiency disorder in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Am J Med Genet A. (online ahead of print, PMID: 38829177)
- Ackley, D et al. (2023) Human milk-derived fortifiers and linked with feed extension due to hypoglycemia in infants <1250 g or <30 weeks: a matched retrospective chart review. J. Perinatology 43(5): 624-628.
- Ocon, AJ, Okon KE, Battaglia, J et al. (2022) Real-world effectiveness of Tixagevimab and Cilgavimab (Evusheld) in patient with hematological malignancies. J. Hematol. 11(6): 210-215.
- Strzalkowski, AJ et al. (2022). Protein and carbohydrate content of infant formula purchased in the United States. Clin. Exp Allergy 52(11): 1291-1301.