Fellowship Experience

Fellows are involved in focused clinical research, education, and academic projects within the Department. Research projects span craniofacial, cleft, oral and maxillofacial, benign breast, hand, and vascular anomalies. The Fellow is expected to initiate and participate in several clinical research projects during the year with the support of the Department Faculty. This includes presentations at the international and national level and acceptance of their papers in peer-reviewed journals. Over the last five years, the Department has published over 200 manuscripts in highly regarded peer-reviewed journals. Our researchers have published in BMJ, JAMA, Lancet, Pediatrics, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Annuals of Plastic Surgery, Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, and more. Skill in scientific writing is emphasized throughout the year. In addition, Fellows are responsible for learning the IRB process and applying appropriate statistical methods. To support education and research activities during the Fellowship year, Fellows receive an annual allowance for professional education or conference travel. Previous Fellows have presented talks at the annual meetings for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic Surgery Research Council, Northeastern Society of Plastic Surgeons, and American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Association. Fellows will have the opportunity to work on existing bench and clinical research studies funded by the National Institutes of Health, Plastic Surgery Foundation, and CRICO. In the last five years, our Department has awarded over $5 million in grant funding and over $3 million in philanthropic funding.

Fellows will also have the ability to utilize the skills and knowledge of our extensive research team. Our research program is composed of 49 individuals, including 26 full- and part-time bench scientists, laboratory technicians, research director, research managers, project managers and coordinators, research specialists, research assistants, data analysts, biostatistician, and research interns, as well as 23 rotating students and trainees. The Fellow will have access to the Department’s dedicated biostatistician who can provide support with study methodology, statistics, and manuscript preparation. These staff members have extensive clinical research knowledge and can provide Fellows with any support needed for the successful completion of a research project while at Boston Children’s Hospital.