Pediatric Resident Research Opportunities

Rochester has a strong commitment to training excellent community and academic clinicians as well as pediatric scientists. Currently we offer three research opportunities for residents – the resident research track, the physician-scientist development track, and a year out opportunity as part of the NIAID Rochester Stimulating Access to Research during Residency (ROCStARR) R38 Training Program. These experiences are designed to support individual residents’ needs and help them meet their future career goals.

Pediatric Resident Research Track

The research track, designed to accommodate a wide range of interests, is an option for all residents, regardless of their prior research experience. This program supports residents in the development of a mentored, resident-led research project. Residents may propose qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods projects in the areas of health service, clinical, translational, or bench research.

Opportunities for Residents

• Participation in a research curriculum designed to aid in the development of your project and provide a basic foundation in research skills
• Personalized training from experts in your chosen area of interest
• Biostatistician support
• Financial support for travel to national conferences and for publications
• Recognition of Distinction in Research upon graduation

General Program Structure

First year residents meet with the track director who provides individual guidance on project ideas and mentor selection. Residents may seek mentorship either from the pediatric faculty or from any other department at the University, when appropriate. There are 8 weeks of protected elective research time, including a 2-week research curriculum early in the second year. As with all tracks, residents have half days of protected time to work on their projects. Residents are expected to present their projects at the Annual Trainees’ Research Grand Rounds. Residents are highly encouraged to present their work at national conferences and/or publish their work.

Physician Scientist Development Track

This track is designed for residents with an advanced research background or those who desire a future physician scientist career. Participating residents will be provided up to 4 months of research time. Residents may choose to participate in the research track curriculum. In addition, pediatrician-scientist track residents will receive mentorship through a scholarly oversight committee and be paired with a physician-scientist career mentor. Residents interested in this track are encouraged to reach out to the track and residency program director during the first half of their intern year for participation approval.  

R38 - NIAID Rochester Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (ROCStARR)

This multidisciplinary program is a joint effort between the Departments of Pediatrics, Medicine, and Dermatology. This grant provides salary support and research, travel, and professional development funds for residents to participate in at least 12 months of research projects focused on the development, implementation, and evaluation of new approaches to diagnose, treat and prevent autoimmune, allergic, inflammatory, and infectious diseases across the age spectrum. This program involves an extra year of training. More information for the ROCStARR program is available on the program website (ROCStARR program homepage).

Contact Us

Candace Gildner, M.D., PH.D.
Director of Pediatric Residency Research Tracks

Alumni Participants

Class of 2025

• Morgan Albert, D.O.
  Project: Examination of the incidence of early acute kidney injury in premature neonates with PDA and the relationship with medical therapy for ductal closure
  Mentor: Jonathan Burris, M.D.
• Stephanie Craig, D.O.*
  Project: Immunoglobulin high-throughput sequencing is a feasible means of sensitive disease detection and surveillance in pediatric Burkitt Lymphoma
  Mentor: Carol Fries Simpson, M.D.
• Wilson Mei, D.O.*
  Project: Insulin is higher in Human Milk-Derived Fortified Feeds, but not Associated with Neonatal Hypoglycemia
  Mentor: Bridget Young, Ph.D.
• Shannon Sanda, M.D.
  Project: Risk Factors for Infection after TIPS
  Mentor: Bandar Al-Judaibi, M.D.

Class of 2024

• Eric Balta, M.D.*
  Project: TCA Cycle Metabolons in Cardiac Mitichondria
  Mentor: George Porter, M.D., Ph.D.
• Jennifer Battaglia, M.D.*
  Project: Eosinophilic Esophagitis in Infancy
  Mentor: Amy Burris, M.D.
• Laura Owlett, M.D.*
  Project: Multicenter Appraisal of Comorbid TANGO2 Deficiency Disorder in Patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrme
  Mentor: Samuel Mackenzie, M.D., Ph.D.

Class of 2023

• Bryan Jan, M.D., M.S. *    
  Project: Asian American Parent Responses to Pregnancy and Infant Loss    
  Mentor: Erin Denney-Koelsch, M.D.
• Rachel Jones, M.D.*    
  Project: Pediatric Resident and Advanced Practice Provider Night Shift Handoffs: Mnemonic Utilization, Perceived Quality, and Impact on Patient Care    
  Mentor: Lauren Solan, M.D., MEd
• Hope Kile, M.D.*  
  Project: A Cyclophilin-D Mitochondira-Redox Differentiation Pathway Regulates Neonatal Heart Bioenergetics and Function    
  Mentor: George Porter, M.D., Ph.D.
• Andrew Pulfer, M.D.*
  Project: Gaps in Pediatric Trainee Education using EHR Order Metadata
  Mentor: Adam Dziorny, M.D., Ph.D.
• Hollie Schaffer, M.D.
  Project: Adherence to Asthma Guidelines and Correlation with Asthma Outcomes by SES Factors
  Mentor: Jamie Wooldridge, M.D.

*Presented at national conferences during residency

Recent Publications

• Kenney, HM, Battaglia, J, Herman, K, Beck, LA.Atopic dermatitis and IgE-mediated food allergy: Common biologic targets for therapy and prevention. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2024 Jun 21:S1081-1206(24)00370-3.
• Owlett LD, Zapanta B, Sandkuhler SE, et al. Multicenter appraisal of comorbid TANGO2 deficiency disorder in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Am J Med Genet A. 2024;194(10):e63778.
• Ackley D, Wang H, D'Angio CT, Meyers J, Young BE. Human milk-derived fortifiers are linked with feed extension due to Hypoglycemia in infants <1250 g or <30 weeks: a matched retrospective chart review. J Perinatol