Several section faculty members are affiliated with Washington University’s Clinical Research Training Center (CRTC). Fellows in the clinical trials or research pathways have the opportunity to obtain the Master of Clinical Investigation (MSCI) degree or take selected courses at the CTRC as part of their training.
The central objectives of the MSCI program are to train physicians interested in incorporating research into their future careers to thoughtfully develop research questions and implement them. These projects can range from clinical trials to basic science. Coursework will involve teaching participants to analyze data with appropriate statistical measures, consider relevant ethical and legal issues related to human research, write manuscripts, prepare grant applications and receive guidance from experienced clinicians and researchers on navigating the research process.
Fellows will be able to meet and work with trainees in other areas of neurology and other departments at various stages in their careers. As part of the MSCI program, fellows will be assigned a mentor outside the section to discuss their project and receive additional perspectives on their plans. The program will encompass formal coursework, mentored training, and research seminars. The coursework will include classes in biostatistics, ethics and legal issues, clinical trial design and grantsmanship, among others.