Our research program’s mission is to train and develop physicians who will advance the field of otolaryngology  ̶  head and neck surgery and serve as future innovators and leaders. Our vision for residency training is to engage all our residents in a culture of lifelong dedication to discovery and leadership. However, residents selected for the 2-year NIH-funded T32 experience are not the only ones expected to become leaders in our field. Since the inception of the program in 1992, those who have had the T32 experience and those who have not achieved similar success in terms of placement in academic positions.

In response to the NIDCD’s directive that all OHNS residency research training T32-track residents move to an R25 grant support, we are in the process of making this transition. The timing depends on the outcomes of NIH review, but we anticipate a start date of July 1, 2023. If you have questions, please contact Resident Research Program Co-directors Amanda Lauer at [email protected] or John Carey at [email protected].

What does this mean to trainees?

Instead of two years at 100% research effort, R25-track residents will complete 18 months at 80% research effort and 20% clinical effort. R25-track residents will complete the program in six years instead of the 7 years required for the T32.

This timeline was developed after extensive consultation with our current residents and applicants to our program.

Engaging Resident Investigators

Starting soon after Match Day, residents will find themselves involved in our program. We aim to hold all residents to a high standard of academic achievement.

• During orientation in June, each incoming resident meets with Drs. Carey, Lauer and Hillel to discuss their research interests and begin a conversation about potential mentors to engage.
• Each fall, an informal dinner with program leadership offers you and your fellow residents a chance to learn about research opportunities your colleagues have pursued.
• In the winter of intern year, there is a resident research fair for first-year residents where PIs in our department give a short presentation on their research efforts.
• Research opportunities may be in basic or translational science, outcomes research, patient safety and quality improvement, public health or any other qualified topic with excellent, well-supported mentoring.

Choosing Mentors

Residents selected for the two research positions may choose their mentors from the basic scientists and clinician scientists within the Department of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery at Johns Hopkins.

We recognize the strength of research mentors throughout Johns Hopkins and allow residents to choose any of the outstanding researchers in other departments and schools of the Johns Hopkins University or from among our faculty with co-appointments at the NIH as mentors. If the primary mentor is from outside our department, we ask that the resident investigator also pick a faculty member within the department to serve as a secondary mentor.

Timeline for Research Decision

1. June before start of intern year: Incoming first year residents meet with the T32 director, director of research and program director.
2. Oct 30 of second year: Residents inform T32 director and PD of research mentors and projects.
3. Nov 15 of the second year: Opportunity to apply for an NIH Loan Repayment Program Grant. (Research track only)
4. Dec 15 of second year: Opportunity to submit CORE Resident Research Grant Letter of Intent.
5. Jan 15 of second year: CORE Resident Research Grant due.

Additional Information

We are applying for an R25 Training Grant through the NIDCD. Should it be awarded, we anticipate transitioning our research track to 6 years of residency training with 18 months of NIH sponsored research. This could happen as early as the 2023-2024 academic year.