Clinical and Translational Science is a high priority for the National Institute of Health (NIH). Clinical research encompasses the following research areas: 1) Research with human subjects that attempts to determine disease mechanisms, therapies, clinical trials and new techniques; 2) Epidemiology & Behavioral research and 3) Outcomes research. Translational research, sometimes referred to as "bench to bedside to community," is a concept beginning in the laboratory developing and testing interventions impacting human health, taking that information into trial studies on human subjects and finally, determining best practices for community health. West Virginia University has a Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) which is funded in part from the NIH Institutional Development Award Program for Clinical & Translational Research (IDeA-CTR). The WVCTSI, in partnership with other institutions, has a mission to focus on research that will address the health issues of individuals and communities specifically as they affect West Virginia and the Appalachian region. The mission of this institute is in alignment with the land grant mission of West Virginia University (WVU) and the strategic plan of the WVU Health Sciences Center. An overview of recent projects undertaken by the WVCTSI is available at the following web site: http://wvctsi.org/.
As part of the WVCTSI, educational programs at the graduate level prepare trainees to participate in clinical and translational research. WVU offers a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Masters of Science (M.S.), and Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science which is designed to develop the next generation of clinical and translational scientists through education and mentored research training.
Ph.D. in Clinical and Translational Science
The goal of the Ph.D. program is to develop biomedical researchers who can integrate findings, information, and observations across basic, population, and clinical sciences, to accelerate and transform how we improve the health of individuals and populations. By the completion of this degree, students will be able to:
- Design, implement, conduct, analyze and interpret research projects using the techniques unique to basic science, clinical research, and population science research
- Demonstrate mastery of research in a focused area as evidenced by academic and scientific presentations and publications
- Read, understand and critique the scientific literature of the basic, clinical, and population sciences
- Work effectively with and create collaborative, productive research partnerships with clinicians, population scientists, and basic / laboratory scientists
- Be able to communicate with and understand the research challenges and perspectives of each of the three branches of clinical and translational science (basic, clinical, and population sciences)
- Work with communities to translate scientific findings into programs and policies that improve the health of individuals and populations.
The Ph.D. program is suitable for students with:
- An undergraduate degree (preferably with some research or allied health work experience).
- Already completed graduate work (at the master or doctoral level)
- Medical students in the MD/PhD program
- Other biomedical professionals seeking expertise in and preparation for careers in clinical and translational research (e.g. including, but not limited to, Doctoral programs for Physical Therapy, Pharmacy, Speech Pathology, etc.)
Information on the Ph.D. degree may be found at the program web http://wvctsi.org/programs/education-mentoring-career-development/phd-in-clinical-translational-science/
Masters of Science in Clinical and Translational Science
Typically, M.S. trainees have an undergraduate degree in a health care discipline or a field of study complementary to research in health. The master's degree may also be considered as part of a dual degree program, such as MD/MS. The M.S. degree expands upon Certificate coursework in biostatistics and epidemiology to provide mentored, research training with required and elective courses, the latter to complement research needs and interests. The degree emphasizes a research project(s) that can be clinical (study of medications, devices, diagnostic products, and treatments; may include clinical trials) and/or translational research (defined as research with human subjects or with populations or with direct application to human health). Completion of the M.S. degree requires a written grant proposal defended orally to three graduate faculty members. The degree can be completed in three semesters, although typically clinical trainees are part-time and complete the program in two to three years. Information on the M.S. degree may be found at the program website: http://wvctsi.org/programs/education-mentoring-career-development/ms-in-clinical-translational-science/
