The Richard J. Weber Gastroenterology Resident Investigator Training (GRIT) Program
Introduction
The success of the UIC StARR program has led directly to other new resident research training opportunities at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Funded entirely through the generous support of Dr. Richard J. Weber, an alumnus of the UIC School of Medicine, who trained in gastroenterology and who has a longstanding passion for medical research and education, the UIC GRIT program was designed to mirror the StARR program and to leverage the existing StARR program infrastructure to provide the identical mentored research training for internal medicine residents interested in pursuing academic careers in the field of gastroenterology. Like the StARR program, GRIT meets ABIM content of training requirements for certification in internal medicine. Our first GRIT scholar began his research year this year. This one-of-its-kind program nationally is currently funded to support one resident-investigators/year and is currently accepting applications.
Program Summary
UIC GRIT Program Timeline
Resident-investigators may apply during PGY1 with applications accepted and applicants selected in the first quarter of the intern year. Trainees will then identify research projects and mentors by the middle of PGY1. The second half of PGY1 through PGY3 will be focused on research project implementation and development as well as the pursuit of relevant coursework, research training and other programs including those related to career development. Finally, a PGY4 year will be largely focused on project completion, presentation at a national meeting and preparation of research manuscripts and potential grant applications.
*While this represents an idealized timeline, opportunities to become a GRIT scholar may be made available at any time prior to the PGY4 year in coordination with the program PIs.
Research Opportunities
Research opportunities in the UIC GRIT program cover a range of basic, translational, and clinical topics in gastroenterology and related fields including:
- Host-pathogen interactions and gut microbiota
- Inflammatory bowel disease and other inflammatory conditions
- Nutrition and metabolism
- Epithelial transport and diarrheal disorders
- Precision medicine and computational approaches to gastroenterology disease
GRIT faculty preceptors will supervise engagement in the research project, interact weekly with the trainee, review experiments and raw data, help the trainee to develop project-specific research skills including experimental design, critical thinking, data analysis and presentation skills as well as manuscript and grant writing. The program is comprised of prospective mentors with a wide range of scientific expertise directly relevant to the areas of study.
Potential GRIT program research opportunities can be found at the UIC Project And Investigative Research (PAIR) Database.
Program Administration
Administration of the UIC GRIT program is lead by the Principal Investigators who review program applications and are responsible for overall program administration. Resident-investigators will partner with a faculty preceptor to develop and implement independent research plan. Two separate committees will be convened specifically for and will meet at regular intervals with each resident-investigator. These include a Research Advisory Committee which will review research training and project progress and a Career Fostering Committee which will provide guidance with respect to career development.
For questions or if you are interested in applying to become a UIC GRIT Scholar please contact Jeffrey Jacobson, MD.
