EM Research Fellowship

The University of Rochester’s Department of Emergency Medicine offers a SAEM-Approved Research Fellowship Program. 

Aims of the Fellowship

Aim 1: Develop and refine the fellow’s focused area of research expertise

Aim 2: Develop the fellow’s proficiency with the critical knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop into a successful, independently funded emergency care researcher

Aim 3: Develop the fellow’s skills necessary to transition from fellow to faculty 

The core curricular areas of the fellowship include: ethics / professional integrity,  biostatistics, epidemiology, hypothesis generation, research design, design of clinical trials, data collection methods, data management and monitoring, research presentation, manuscript preparation, practical skills in grant writing, project management, informatics, teaching skills, and career development.

​ The Fellowship

• Two years
• Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (MS-CI) earned at no cost to fellow
• 47 weeks/year clinical with 12 hours/week in ED
• 4 weeks/year vacation
• 1 week/year CME

The Research Fellow

• Will conduct a research project during fellowship
• Will establish a mentorial committee with the assistance of the fellowship director
• Will develop an individualized learning plan
• Is expected to submit at least 2 original manuscripts during fellowship period
• Is expected to submit a significant grant application prior to completion of fellowship
• Will participate in EM Research Division meetings
• Will participate in institutional/CTSI workshops

Please contact fellowship director, Dr. David Adler, if you are interested in learning more about this fellowship opportunity. 

Current Fellow

Malik R. Sams, M.D., originally from Philadelphia, obtained his undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Rochester and his medical degree from The Ohio State University prior to returning to Rochester, NY to pursue his Emergency Medicine Residency training at Strong Memorial Hospital. Upon completion of his residency, he stayed on as clinical faculty and a fellow in the SAEM-approved URMC Research Fellowship. Dr. Sams looks to understand structural racism and its effects on social determinants of health and is working avidly to eliminate its adverse consequences while promoting health equity. His current research interest aims to address the rise in suicides and homicides among Black youth by utilizing an ED-based violence prevention intervention program Pathways to Peace and examining the role of intergenerational mentoring.

Our 2020 Fellowship Graduate

Layne Dylla, MD, PhD, moved to Rochester after graduating from the University of Colorado, Medical Scientist Training program to pursue her Emergency Medicine Residency training. Upon, completion of residency, she stayed on as clinical faculty and a fellow in the SAEM-approved URMC Research Fellowship and the URMC Experimental Therapeutics Program. Her research aims to better understand the acute pathophysiology of ischemic stroke and identify potential interventions that can be employed in the prehospital and emergency department setting, such as brief early hyperoxia. Layne conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the role of hyperoxia in acute ischemic stroke, supported by an American Heart Association Career Development Award.

After completing our fellowship in June 2020, Dr. Dylla began a position as an EM Research Faculty Member at the University of Colorado.