Research Education

Christopher D. Anderson, M.D. Director, Research Education

In addition to outstanding clinical training, Washington University offers unparalleled research opportunities. Whether you are interested in molecular or cell biology, complex systems analysis, animal models of laparoscopic surgery, resident education, cancer outcomes or any other discipline related to surgery, we can tailor a research experience for you with world-class mentors. Our goal is for our trainees to be leaders in the next generation of academic surgery.

The research opportunities during residency training in the Department of Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine are broad and diverse. Most General Surgery residents spend two to three years of dedicated research time in the middle of the training program. Usually, they undertake this research between their PGY2 and PGY3 years, but scheduling of this experience is flexible. Research during the surgical residency years is optional, but the majority of residents take advantage of the opportunity.

The division/section links to the left will take you to descriptions of faculty members' recent publications and research interests/laboratories (if applicable). Residents can pursue research opportunities in laboratories in the surgical, basic science or other clinical science departments at Washington University. Please note that residents are not limited to laboratory work. Many choose to engage in clinical research and participate in Washington University’s K12 program. Additionally, some have chosen to obtain less traditional advanced degrees (MBA) during the research years. House officers also may spend their research years with an investigator at another university or at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Over the last decade, departmental research funding has more than tripled. Research funding in the Department of Surgery totaled more than $27 million in annual NIH, non-federal and corporate-supported grants for fiscal year 2009. In addition to strong basic science research, the Department has increased funding for clinical trials and research studies. Department researchers received more than $1.7 million dollars in clinical study income last year, approximately twice the amount of ten years ago.*

Funding is available for laboratory expenses and salary for all residents during their research years. The Department has three NIH-sponsored training grants in surgical oncology, trauma and critical care, and cardiothoracic surgery. This, however, does not restrict residents to performing research in these three fields. All surgical sections have external funding to support residents performing specialized clinical and basic science research within their division.  As part of the research training, all residents will learn grant writing skills through which many residents have applied for and won prestigious research competitions from national surgical societies. Residents also are eligible to apply for loan repayment programs through the National Institutes of Health, which may yield an additional $35,000 a year for each year spent in laboratory research in addition to regular salary support.

Residents also are free to moonlight during the research years, provided it does not interfere with their laboratory responsibilities. (See the Moonlighting policy for residents.)

I encourage you to browse our website to see the breadth of ongoing research opportunities in our Department.

Christopher D. Anderson, M.D.
Director, Research Education

* Statistics are compiled by Washington University School of Medicine.