Department of Surgery Research Fellowships

The Pediatric Surgery Clinical Outcomes Research Group at Texas Children’s Hospital is accepting applications for a clinical research fellowship beginning July 1, 2013. This 2-year program is designed for highly motivated mid- or post-residency candidates interested in becoming successful, independent clinical investigators and future leaders in academic pediatric surgery. Fellows will develop and conduct high-quality clinical research protocols under the guidance of experienced faculty with advanced degrees in clinical investigation. Fellows will be enrolled in the Baylor College of Medicine Clinical Scientist Training Program and obtain a Certificate of Added Qualification or MS in Clinical Investigation from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. At the completion of the fellowship, participants will have gained hands-on experience in local, regional and national clinical trials, presentation of research results at high-profile professional meetings and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Based at Texas Children’s Hospital, the largest pediatric hospital in the nation, this clinical research program is uniquely positioned to study an exceptionally wide variety and high volume of pediatric surgical conditions. Research Fellows will have access to numerous medical and scientific resources and opportunities at Baylor College of Medicine and throughout the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Texas.

Applicants should have completed the PGY-2 year of an ACGME-accredited categorical general surgery residency program by the start of the fellowship. A current curriculum vitae and a statement of interest are required. Selected candidates will be asked to provide a letter of recommendation from their current program director and chair.

Clinical Call? No 
Number of Years: 2
Program Director: Mary L. Brandt, MD
Secondary Contact: Jed G. Nuchtern, MD
Mechanism of Support: Institutional

Focus is on the study of tumor angiogenesis in neuroblastoma. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is critical to angiogenesis. Monoclonal antibody treatment targeting VEGF has been proven successful in a number of animal cancer models. Our previous work has shown that anti-VEGF therapy for neuroblastoma only partially suppresses tumor growth. Since VEGF represents the final product of many tumorigenic pathways, we hypothesize that more effective restriction of neuroblastoma growth may require intervention earlier in the signaling cascade that regulates angiogenesis. One such treatment target is the MYCN-driven MDM2 gene in neuroblastoma. MDM2, which has been found to have a critical role in tumor suppression, has also been found to directly interact with hypoxic inducible factor-1a (HIF-1a), a major promoter of VEGF. Blocking MDM2 with the agent Nutlin-3a has been shown to decrease interaction with HIF-1a and subsequently decrease VEGF production in vitro. Our work focuses on the study of MDM2 inhibition and VEGF inhibition in an experimental xenograft model of neuroblastoma as well as a transgenic mouse model of spontaneously growing neuroblastoma. We hope to better understand the mechanism of VEGF blockade in neuroblastoma as well as explore the novel MDM2 inhibitor drugs in an in vivo model. Interested candidates should contact the program director listed below.

Clinical Call? No
Program Director: Eugene S. Kim, MD
Mechanism of Support: Institutional and Private Funding

Our laboratory has a variety of interests related to wound healing and fetal therapy and exploring the mechanisms underlying scarless dermal wound healing in the fetus with a specific focus on the role of adhesion molecules in fetal inflammation. We are using transgenic mouse models in exploring the contributions of various molecules to the fetal healing response. Collaboration with industry has yielded the opportunity to explore the effects of a variety of agents on the wound healing response in general. A clinical component of our wound healing work is a prospective randomized trial of negative pressure wound therapy in children. We are also involved in the development of animal models of fetal anomalies and the design and perfection of in-utero fetal therapeutic techniques prior to clinical application. Fellows in our laboratory have the opportunity to engage in a wide array of basic science and clinical research projects. There are currently 7 IACUC-approved animal protocols and 12 IRB-approved clinical protocols to choose from. There is an opportunity to maintain surgical skills, performing large animal surgery (pigs and sheep) as well as microsurgery (fetal mice). The opportunity for limited involvement with the fetal program is available. Interested candidates should contact the program director listed below.

Clinical Call? No
Program Director: Oluyinka O. Olutoye, MD
Mechanism of Support: Institutional, NIH and Industry Funding