Medical Student Research Fellowship for Summer 2010

Mentor: Anand Rohatgi, MD,
Department: Internal Medicine-Cardiology
Room number: HA 9.133
Mail Code: MC 9047
Phone number: 214 645 7500
E-mail: anand.rohatgi@utsouthwestern.edu
Project title: CCRD-PCAD Registry: HDL function as a biomarker

Human subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable):
CCRD 012009-044

Animal subjects IRB approved project number (where applicable): n/a

Project Type (patient-based research, animal-based research, or basic research; this characterization is only to permit a general classification for grouping similar types of projects) Patient-based research

Brief Description of Project:

1. The Cardiology Clinical Research Database/Repository (CCRD) registry is a local data and biological specimen repository run by the Division of Cardiology at UTSW. One module is devoted to collecting clinical data as well as blood and DNA specimens in patients with premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) to investigate how genetic and lipoprotein abnormalities contribute to malignant atherosclerosis. Student duties will include screening of appropriate participants, obtaining informed consent for research, conducting an extensive health interview with patients, transferring survey response into a Web-based data collection system, and abstracting medical record for relevant data.

In addition, the medical student will have an opportunity to participate in conducting assays measuring cholesterol efflux and endothelial nitric oxide at the bench (Philip Shaul's lab and Gloria Vega's lab on South Campus).

This project will allow intensive exposure to human clinical investigation; will require certification in human subject research protection, HIPAA regulations, and ICH Good Clinical Practice Guideline training (all simple and online); and will familiarize students to the regulation of human research. Students will have extensive direct patient exposure in a clinical setting as well as exposure to bench research. In addition to research experience, they will have an opportunity to advance history taking and exam skills.

Previous Research Activities or Publications with Medical Students:

None. However the clinical component of this project will also be co-mentored by Amit Khera, MD who has extensive experience supervising medical students and co-authoring manuscripts with medical students.