Research Training Academy launched to shape the future of clinician scientists

In a significant stride towards advancing excellence in medical research, the Melbourne Medical School (MMS) launched the Research Training Academy (RTA) on Wednesday 20 March 2024.

(L-R): Dr Nilakshi Waidyatillake - Assistant Director, Clinician Scientist Pathways, MMS; Professor Justine Mintern - Associate Dean, Graduate Research, MDHS; Professor Margie Danchin - Director, Clinician Scientist Pathways, MMS; Professor John Savill - Executive Director, Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (or just MACH); Professor Jane Gunn - Dean, MDHS; Professor Sarath Ranganathan - Head, MMS.

Bringing together leaders and experts with those who are establishing their clinician scientist careers, the RTA is set to be a hub of intellectual curiosity and innovation that will foster a dynamic exchange of ideas within the MMS. It will be the central hub of activity for MD-PhD and other joint-degree research students in the school and bring together individuals at all stages of the clinician scientist pathway, from MD-PhD students to the prestigious MACH-Track fellows and senior clinician scientists.

The RTA will offer students and clinicians a range of opportunities and resources including career guidance, mentorship, and sponsorship, as well as skill development in areas such as effective science communication to ensure a supportive environment to build academic excellence. It will also facilitate senior clinician scientists in recruiting talented MD-PhD students into their research groups, enabling them to supervise, nurture and support the next generation of clinician scientists. The program promises to provide a dynamic and integrative training environment that will empower graduates to drive forward the medical sciences with both expertise and ethical diligence. Structured as an advanced finishing school for MD-PhD students, it will offer a platform that blends clinical training with intensive research methodology, already embedded within the PhD.

Professor Margie Danchin at the lectern.

Professor Margie Danchin, Director of Clinician Scientist Pathways within the MMS and Moran Zhou, President of the MD-PhD Student Society, welcomed guests and formally launched the RTA after Moran played his saxophone as guests mingled and chatted before the formal proceedings.

Professor Jane Gunn, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, and Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Head of the Melbourne Medical School, welcomed guests and highlighted the importance of clinician researchers. They discussed their own personal journeys as clinician researchers and welcomed the RTA as the hub within the MMS that will build a community of practice for clinician researchers at all stages of the pathway, from the MD-PhD to excellence as a post-doctoral researcher and clinical leader. They acknowledged that clinician researchers are a threatened group globally and the importance of structured and mentored pathways. They both highlighted that clinician researchers are essential to driving evidenced based clinical care and excellence in healthcare and that the RTA is an exciting step to bring together MD-PhD students and other dual degree students to focus on important areas separate from their PhD training.

Professor Gunn emphasised the Academy’s collaborative nature, highlighting its partnership with the Collaborative Practice Centre and the leading research institutions of healthcare providers.

"We are setting a new standard for clinical research training," she noted, "one that not only enhances our students’ capabilities but also establishes strong professional networks that span the globe."

The School was delighted to have Professor Sir John Savill, Executive Director of the Melbourne Academic Centre for Health, who has been integral to the development of clinician scientist pathways within the MMS; the Deputy Dean of Graduate Research, Professor Justine Mintern and Professor Alicia Jenkins, an established and inspiring senior clinician researcher. The School was also pleased to have Dr Dan Gould, who recently completed the MD-PhD student and has started as a post-doc at MCRI with a covered Orthopaedic fellowship, one year post his intern year. Alicia and Dan gave inspiring talks about their journeys and offered pearls of wisdom.

As the Academy welcomes all the MD-PhD students, the excitement is palpable among faculty and students alike. With a curriculum tailored to harness the full potential of dual-degree students, the Research Training Academy is poised to profoundly impact the future of medicine and clinical research, nurturing the next generation of clinical scientists dedicated to improving patient care through science.

Speakers: (L-R) Professor Sarath Ranganathan, Dr Dan Gould, Dr Moran Zhou, Dr Nilakshi Waidyatillake, Professor Alcia Jenkins.