Research Curriculum

Research is an important component of the UCSD Vascular Neurology Fellowship. The research curriculum is seamlessly integrated into the clinical training experience to cultivate the future leaders in stroke care. Fellows are immersed in a structured research curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, study design, and the application of stroke literature to real-world clinical decision-making. This type of critical thinking creates a solid foundation for our fellows to practice confidently in any career setting they choose.

As one of only 25 NIH-designated StrokeNet Regional Coordinating Centers (RCCs) nationwide, UCSD offers unparalleled access to groundbreaking multicenter trials, allowing fellows to participate directly in the development of therapies that may redefine stroke prevention, acute intervention, and recovery. Fellows will have the amazing opportunity to network and learn from major stroke researchers around the country. Through mentorship, didactic sessions, and hands-on clinical trial involvement, fellows gain the skills to navigate regulatory frameworks, identify eligible trial patients, and contribute meaningfully to trial execution.

We understand that fellowship applicants come from various backgrounds of residency training. Our research curriculum does not require that you must have substantial publications prior to your arrival, but it does require each fellow have a curious mind and the enthusiasm to learn about and experience the countless benefits of clinical research.

Research Requirements

Each fellow undertakes an independent research project focused on a topic of their choice within the field of cerebrovascular disease. Fellows are expected to submit at least one abstract to a national conference—most commonly the International Stroke Conference (ISC)—and prepare at least one manuscript for submission to a peer-reviewed journal during their training. Projects may span a wide spectrum, from educational initiatives and quality improvement efforts to pilot studies that lay the groundwork for future grant-funded research, all tailored to the fellow’s long-term career goals. This research requirement is an important feature of our program that make our fellows well-rounded physicians upon graduating.

As the fellowship start date approaches, each incoming fellow is paired with a dedicated UCSD stroke faculty research mentor to help launch their scholarly journey. Together, they will design a research project tailored to the fellow’s interests, with the goal of submitting an abstract to a national conference. Mentors provide hands-on guidance in study design, data collection, IRB navigation, and biostatistical analysis to ensure timely and meaningful progress. In addition to the abstract, fellows are encouraged to pursue a longitudinal research project aligned with their career aspirations, supported by ongoing access to the full stroke faculty team throughout the year. This personalized mentorship model fosters academic growth and prepares fellows to contribute to the future of stroke science.

Clinical Trial Enrollment

Fellows work closely with our stroke faculty and research coordinators to play an active role in identifying and facilitating clinical trial enrollment across both inpatient and outpatient settings for all ongoing UCSD Stroke Center studies. This hands-on involvement provides a comprehensive understanding of the operational, ethical, and regulatory aspects of stroke research at both local and national levels. Through direct participation, fellows gain expertise in good clinical practice, efficient and ethical data collection, and critical appraisal of trial design and methodology. By the end of their training, fellows are well-prepared to integrate clinical research protocols into practice, contribute meaningfully to future stroke trials, and lead evidence-based innovations in stroke care.

Research Didatics 

Fellows are actively engaged in UCSD Stroke Center research didactics that foster the development of independent scholarly projects, sharpen skills in data presentation, and deepen understanding of clinical trial enrollment. These sessions are a vital part of our research curriculum, encouraging fellows to become thoughtful contributors to the future of stroke care. The curriculum involves the following important research didactics:

The Weekly Research Team Meeting provides a platform to discuss ongoing national and local stroke clinical trials conducted within the UCSD Stroke Center. Fellows receive regular updates on StrokeNet studies and gain insight into the operational logistics of trial execution. These meetings emphasize regulatory frameworks and best practices in clinical trial enrollment, equipping fellows with the tools to navigate stroke research with confidence and integrity

The Fellow Research Meeting is dedicated to the advancement of each fellow’s individual research project in vascular neurology. Fellows present their work-in-progress, receive constructive feedback from faculty and peers, and refine their ideas in preparation for abstract presentations at national conferences, and for manuscript submission to a peer-reviewed journal. These sessions ensure that fellows meet key milestones to assist with project completion.

The Research Lecture Series, held at the start of the academic year, offers an in-depth orientation to UCSD’s active national and local stroke clinical trials. Fellows gain a comprehensive understanding of trial design, enrollment strategies, and the types of studies poised to transform stroke management. The series also provides essential training in good clinical practice and ethical conduct, including informed consent procedures.

The Biostatistics for the Stroke Clinician Series delivers foundational instruction in statistical principles relevant to stroke research. Fellows learn to interpret statistical terminology commonly used in stroke literature and apply biostatistical methods to their own research designs. This curriculum empowers fellows to critically appraise published studies and strengthen the scientific rigor of their own work.