UC Irvine offers a structured and supportive physician-scientist pathway that integrates research training with world-class clinical education. Our goal is to help residents establish a strong scientific foundation early, develop a focused project during residency, and transition seamlessly into a productive postdoctoral and early faculty phase.

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Early Mentorship and Planning (PGY-2 / Year 1 of Dermatology Residency)

Residents meet with program leadership and are paired with a research mentor during their first year. Together, they explore research interests, identify potential laboratory mentors, and develop an individualized training plan that aligns with long-term career goals.

 

Research Preparation and Skill-Building (PGY-3 / Year 2)

Residents receive six weeks of elective time to refine their project concept and prepare for active investigation. This period is used to meet with mentors, write IRB protocols, pursue pilot or seed grant funding, develop feasibility data, and build the foundation for a successful research phase.

 

Dedicated Research Immersion (PGY-4 / Year 3)

Residents may devote up to six months of protected laboratory time to launch their research project in earnest, supported by their mentor and a structured oversight committee. This phase emphasizes productivity, data generation, and positioning the resident for competitive fellowship, postdoctoral, or career development opportunities.

 

Research Development + Attending Role (PGY-5+)

Following residency, physician-scientist trainees transition into an attending physician role with 1–2 half-days of clinic and the remainder protected for research. Funding may be supported by the NIH T32, other institutional mechanisms, or individual awards (such as F32 or foundation grants), with the goal of building momentum toward independence.

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Trainees prepare for and transition onto K08, K01, or K12 career development awards, benefiting from extensive institutional support for grant writing, career development, and mentorship. The program’s structure is designed to produce competitive applicants for early-stage faculty positions and independent research programs.

 

Training Ecosystem and Professional Development

Education is enhanced by the rich training environment supported by the T32, P30, and K12 programs, including:

 

• Research-in-progress seminars and invited lectures

• Grant writing workshops and mentoring committees

• ICTS programs for clinical and translational research

• Human subjects research education and IRB support

• Access to institutional grants, cores, and pilot funding

• Interdisciplinary journal clubs and trainee networking events

 

Together, these opportunities create a comprehensive, longitudinal pathway that supports physician-scientists from residency through early faculty positions.