Research

Research Proposal

Time Frame

• A preliminary proposal must be discussed with the faculty advisor by January of the second year, with the finalized version due by April of the second year.

Expectations

• Residents will develop a preliminary research year proposal and review it with their faculty advisor, who will assist in refining it.
  
•  The finalized proposal must be submitted to the Program Director for approval.

For Holman Pathway residents, the proposal used for their application is sufficient. Non-Holman Pathway residents must submit a two-page proposal containing the following:

• Research areas of interest (e.g., outcomes, translational, epidemiological)
  
• Potential disease sites of interest (e.g., pediatrics, breast)
  
• Planned third-year research projects (including title, project mentor, description, and time commitment)
  
• Educational objectives for the third year (e.g., coursework, workshops, practical skills)
  
• Funding sources (e.g., scholarships, grants)
  
• Current research projects (including title, mentor, description, and time commitment)
  
• Timeline of projects and educational opportunities
  
• Career plans and how the research year fits into long-term goals

Research Year Guidelines

Research is a critical component of residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System, preparing residents to evaluate new findings and innovations in cancer treatment. Residents will present their research projects during the Resident Research Retreat in January. Projects must be approved by the Program Director.

Clinical Time Requirement

• Residents must complete 12 weeks (480 hours) of clinical work during their research year. The resident is responsible for documenting and submitting this clinical time to the Residency Director. Activities that count toward clinical time include:
  
• Each call week completed during the research year counts as three clinical days (24 hours).
  
• Time spent in clinical morning conferences (1 hour per conference).
  
• Participation in brachytherapy procedures.
  
• Attendance at national conventions (e.g., ASTRO, ASCO, RSNA) with 40 hours of CME credit granted for each meeting.
  
• Night or weekend coverage beyond the required call (credited at two hours per shift).

Additional CME-approved activities may count toward clinical time with prior approval from the Residency Director.

Additional Research Opportunities

Residents are encouraged to participate in clinical research projects with faculty assigned to specific disease sites. Projects may involve retrospective reviews or new protocols. Prospective protocols may take longer than one year to complete, and residents should consult their research mentors and Program Directors to assess feasibility.

Holman Pathway

The ABR Holman Research Pathway integrates research training with clinical radiation oncology. It is intended for residents aiming to pursue a research-focused career in laboratory-based or translational work. Interested residents should apply during PGY-2 or PGY-3 after consulting with the Program Directors. The pathway includes 27 months of full-time clinical training and 21 months of research, with 20% of the research time devoted to clinical duties.