Berkeley Clinical Scientist Development Program

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The University of California, Berkeley School of Optometry (UCBSO) seeks 5 years of support to train clinician-scientists in accordance with the guidelines of the Institutional Clinical Scientist Development Program (K12). The Berkeley Clinical Scientist Development Program will provide interdisciplinary training to enable well-established clinicians to carry out high-level, independent, clinical (patient-based) vision research. The University of California, Berkeley (UCB) K12 program will draw upon the rich resources of world-renowned departments and groups on the Berkeley campus, including Vision Science, Optometry, Public Health, Neuroscience, Infectious Disease, Bioengineering, Health and Medical Science, and Molecular & Cell Biology. The Berkeley K12 Program will feature two unique elements: (1) The recruitment of established clinicians who wish to make a career shift from clinical practice and teaching to one centered on the combination of teaching and independent, federally funded, patient-based vision research. (2) The multidisciplinary composition of a distinguished and diverse mentoring group composed of faculty with expertise in vision research, plus faculty whose primary expertise is not in vision, but who have extensive experience in clinical research. The program will provide the awardees with focused, cutting-edge didactic and mentored clinical research training tailored specifically to the individual's career plan. The curriculum will consist of course work, seminars, research in campus-wide laboratory facilities and clinics, and closely mentored supervision from a group of nationally recognized scientists and clinicians. Trainees will conduct research in one of seven clinical research areas: Retinal Disease, Corneal Disease, Strabismus, Amblyopia, Visual Processing, Low Vision & Blindness Rehabilitation, and Lens & Cataract - all of which are consistent with the Programs and Research Priorities of the National Eye Institute. The Berkeley program is designed so that upon completion, the trainees will be able to compete successfully for research resources and maintain a productive and independent career in patient-based vision research. Several strategies will be used to recruit established clinicians (e.g., OD, MD, DVM, DDS, or equivalent professional degree) whose clinical expertise is either within or outside the ophthalmic community. Four trainees would be recruited during the first year, and then one additional trainee admitted in each of the following four years (total admitted by 5th year = 8).