Mark Evers: Our T32 program is specifically focused on surgeon-scientists – the training
of young surgeons who are interested in academics and having a research laboratory after they
complete their training. This is extremely important, because if you look at the great
discoveries that have happened over the years with transplantation heart surgery etc.,
it's been surgeons who have been driving that.
Surgeons with a background in research are much more able to participate in multidisciplinary
teams with basic researchers, with population scientists, with other clinicians, to really
address important clinical problems that surgeons come in contact with. Having that knowledge
base and understanding of the disease processes plus working with others, really facilitates
the cures and treatments.
Tong Gan: We have an incredible experience opportunity here at the University of Kentucky
with a T32 grant. That's taking two years of research in the lab working with basic
scientists. My experience with this research time has really provided me the backbone of
my desire to pursue academic colorectal surgery.
Zeta Chow: As a clinician, we're not necessarily the ones who understand the molecular and
mechanistic pathways of cancer. So by doing more research, we as clinicians develop the
language and develop the knowledge. So that will help us to explain that process better
to our patient to further advance our patient care.
Mark Evers: There is always a clinician/scientist who serves as one of the mentors, but then
we have a team of mentors. So it may be basic researchers, it may be population scientists
outcomes researchers, who are part of that mentoring team to help the trainee progress
in their academic career.
Zeta Chow: I think in the research world to have a mentor to help you navigate through the
path to become a clinician scientist is very important.
Tong Gan: So I worked under Dr. Tianyan Gao, who was a biochemist in our cancer center
and overall, I worked under Dr. Mark Evers, and he really is an incredible mentor.
Not only being a director of our cancer center as well as having multiple roles in national
organizations, but he's still able to give me feedback on a manuscript within 24 hours
of sending it to him.
I will be completing my training -- colorectal surgery next year at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Mark Evers: I'm so proud of all of the former trainees. I mean it's almost like your children
you raise them and you just love to see the great things that they've done.
So really the top places are where our trainees are going and they very much deserve it. They’ve
worked extremely hard and they've been very productive.
Tong Gan: In addition to the time we get to spend in the lab and learning of
how to conduct science overall, we also learn to collaborate with numerous scientists, epidemiologists,
other clinicians in a way that we really don't learn otherwise in residency, and I think
that's really important in our future as a surgeon who are typically leaders in the hospital.
The time spent in the lab allows us to be able to pursue advanced degrees as well, whether
that's a master's degree or even a PhD. I had completed a master's degree in clinical
translational science.
Zeta Chow: In addition to that, it will give you some downtime to polish your thought in
research, publish your own manuscript, understanding how to do research, how to write a grant.
I think it's a really important part of becoming a clinician scientist.
Mark Evers: Go to our website to learn more about how you can apply. You can always contact
me as well. I'd be happy to take any questions.