The UF MD-PhD Practicum has enjoyed strong faculty leadership and mentorship by experienced clinical investigators since 2010. Our Practicum Director is Coy Heldermon, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine (Oncology)
The morning sessions of the initial two week orientation include: Introduction to Resources at UF Academic Health Center (AHC) and UF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). Practical considerations for clinical study design are explained through case studies. Ethical and regulatory considerations are introduced. The remainder of the time is spent developing an idea for a Patient-Oriented Clinical Research Study supervised by Dr. Heldermon. Projects since 2010 are shown in the following table:
MD-PhD Clinical Research Practicum Projects (’10 – ’20)
| cOHORT YEAR | PROJECT |
|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | The effect of Intermittent Fasting on Adaptive Oxidative Stress Response and Mitochondrial Biogenesis |
| 2011-2012 | The Effects of Hyperoxia on Cytoprotective Factors and Inflammation |
| 2012-2013 | NO PROJECT/CRC Transitioning from Shands to Clinical Translational Research Building (CTSI) |
| 2013-2014 | The Effect of Short-Term Atorvastatin Treatment on Immune Response to Pneumovax 23 |
| 2014-2015 | The Effect of Obesity on the Immune Response to PPSV23 |
| 2015-2016 | Assessment of Satiety Following Oral Administration of an Erythritol Sweetened Beverage |
| 2016-2017 | Searching for Biomarkers of Chronic Stress in Medical Students |
| 2017-2018 | The Impact of Non-Nutritive Sweeteners and Soluble Fiber on the Human Microbiome |
| 2018-2019 | Metabolic and Microbiome Crossover Following Chronic Artificial Sweetener Ingestion |
| 2019-2020 | Frailty and Pre-habilitation in Patients Scheduled for Complex Lumbar or Thoracolumbar Spine Surgery |
| 2020-2021 | ACEs and Cancer Immunotherapy |
| 2021-2022 | Effects of disparities on stroke outcomes and in hospital education program on prevention |