Program Requirements

All Fellows

Fellows participate in the following and must report which activities they have attended on a quarterly basis:

Weekly meetings of the CVD/EPI Research Group, which is typically held every Friday afternoon form 12-2 pm. On the first Friday of the month, this group conducts a journal club. All trainees are expected to lead the journal club on a rotating basis and present regularly at the meeting
Selected other Grand Rounds (Cardiology, Endocrine, Medical, Geriatrics)
Other scholarly activities through UC San Diego School of Medicine and Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science

All fellows also complete the following:

All post-doctoral fellows are also expected to achieve the following by the completion of their training:

Pursue didactic training in epidemiology and earn either a Master’s degree or certificate for didactic training in epidemiology. This requirement is waived for those with prior degrees in epidemiology or comparable training.
Collaborate with a mentor on ongoing research project.
Develop and conduct an independent research project.
Manage their own dataset or data from an existing project.
Conduct a statistical analysis of original data or a secondary analysis of existing data.
Develop, write and submit two abstracts for presentation at national scientific meetings.
Develop, write and submit three manuscripts for publication in the peer-reviewed literature on their research.
Critique four published peer reviewed articles (can be met through Journal Club participation).
Present the results of their research annually to the Executive Committee and Advisory Committee.
Develop, write and submit a grant proposal for extramural support.
Present at the UC San Diego Public Health Research Day (optional).
Attend the UC San Diego Institute for Public Health quarterly scientific presentation series (optional).

All pre-doctoral fellows are expected to achieve the following:

A. Knowledge

To appreciate the scope of disease burden encumbered by CVD.
To understand the multifactorial risks associated with the development of CVD.
To learn the different modalities for measuring the degree of risk for CVD.
To appreciate the different population and individual approaches to the prevention of CVD.
To know the fundamental techniques in epidemiology, biostatistics, and prevention for investigation of public health problems related to CVD. This typically requires obtaining a Master's degree in epidemiology or equivalent.

B. Skills

To be able to conduct systematic literature reviews using electronic media.
To become competent in critiquing the published peer reviewed literature (can be met through Journal Club participation).
To be well versed at constructing hypotheses and then identifying, developing and formulating the appropriate research study design.
To be capable of assembling and organizing research data.
To be skilled at conducting statistical analyses within the context of specific research aims.
To cultivate a research project that is independent of the mentor’s.
To develop and prepare scientific manuscripts.
To prepare a grant application.
To learn the behavioral and management skills requisite for collaboration and conducting multidisciplinary research.

C. Attitudes and Behavior

To become dedicated to epidemiologic research focused on the prevention of CVD.
To consider and pursue collaborations that foster multidisciplinary research.
To recognize the importance of evidence-based research for preventing CVD.
To strive for incremental levels of career independence.
To participate in academic and social events that provide exposure to the roles, values and ethical standards of investigators.