The UW and our department have some of the largest research programs in behavioral health in the world, but only a relatively small number of our medical students and psychiatry residents actively participate in research during their training. According to the latest Missions Management Tool published by the Association of American Medical Colleges, the UW School of Medicine ranks above the 90th percentile for total research federal grants and contracts, but only about half of our medical school graduates and an even smaller proportion of our psychiatry residents participate in research during their time with us.

To bridge this gap, we are launching a new training program to support the development of clinician scientists in our department. This effort will be supported by the department and the Garvey Institute for Brain Health Solutions and provide protected time for faculty mentorship as well as research expenditures and travel expenses for trainees to present at a national academic research conference.

To support this effort, we are conducting an internal recruitment for a clinician scientist faculty member who can help develop and lead this new program with the goal of encouraging and developing clinician scientists. The position will be supported, in part, by the Garvey Institute for Brain Health Solutions’ Mark N. Tabbutt Endowed Professorship for Education in Brain Health. A search committee, led by Mark Sullivan, MD, PhD, is currently developing a job description and will provide more information about this opportunity soon.