Vascular Surgery Scientist Training Program
The Vascular Surgery Scientist Training Program at Northwestern University, which is funded by a T32 grant from the NIH, is a two-year mentored research training experience for general and vascular surgery residents (MD/DO) interested in research-oriented academic careers.
The T32 funding mechanism provides a stipend, tuition, fees for coursework, travel funds and health insurance.
Our goal is to provide trainees with the scientific environment, didactic training, career development mentorship, and opportunities for collaboration required to jump start careers as surgeon-scientists.
Individualized training plans are developed by the mentor and trainee. Trainees can choose mentors and secondary mentors from many different clinical specialties and research fields and select one of several tracks of study or a combination of tracks:
- Vascular biology with a basic science emphasis
- Clinical research including outcomes studies
- Biomedical research in partnership with the Department of Biomedical Engineering
- An integrated program designed by the trainee and his/her mentors
Our Team
Program Leadership
- Program Director: Mark K. Eskandari, MD
- Associate Program Directors: Guillermo A. Ameer, ScD, and William A. Muller, MD, PhD
Curriculum
In addition to their chosen track, all trainees also complete a core curriculum consisting of courses in responsible conduct for research, ethical issues in clinical research and scientific writing. Trainees are also able to take additional courses in their area of focus. If interested, trainees may also complete the requirements for the Master of Science or certificate in Health Services and Outcomes Research.
Eligibility & Requirements
Candidates must be a U.S. citizen or a noncitizen national of the U.S., or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence at the time of the appointment. Candidates must possess an M.D. degree or D.O. degree and are required to have completed at least 2 years of surgical residency training prior to acceptance into the program. Women and underrepresented minorities in medicine are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply
If you have questions, please contact the T32 Coordinator:
Marsha Blunt, VSSTP Program Coordinator
Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine
Division of Vascular Surgery
676 N. St. Clair St., Ste. 650
Chicago, IL 60611
marsha.blunt@nm.org
Current Trainees
- Calvin Chao, MD: 7/1/22-Present
Mentor: Bin Jiang, PhD
Track: Vascular Biology/Biomedical Engineering
Research Interests: Development of translational therapies and models to improve the long-term patency of vascular interventions, both open surgical grafts and endovascular devices.
- Marjorie Liggett, MD: 7/1/23-Present
Mentor: Hasan B. Alam, MD
Track: Vascular Biology
Research Interests: The application of the Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta (REBOA) device in the setting of polytrauma and identifying cellular and molecular targets for the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury and Septic Shock
- Margaret Reilly, MD: 7/1/23-Present
Mentor: Karen J. Ho, MD
Track: Clinical Research/Outcomes
Research Interests: Improvement of patient knowledge about peripheral artery disease, environmental sustainability of the operating room, mitigation of occupational risk for pregnant vascular surgeons.