The physician–investigator pathway in the Fellowship Training Program in Cardiovascular Disease is designed for those pursuing careers as independent investigators in cardiovascular medicine.

This four-year program, offered through the Leon H. Charney Division of Cardiology, includes about two years of core clinical training, with a variety of clinical laboratory rotations and clinical service rotations, plus an additional two years of intensive basic, translational, or clinical research training supported by our National Institutes of Health (NIH)–funded T32 Training Program in Cardiometabolic Diseases.

Fellows specializing in clinical research may wish to consider NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s MS in Clinical investigation (MSCI), which is offered through the Clinical and Translational Science Institute. Applicants interested in the physician–investigator pathway are strongly encouraged to explore research interests that align with those of our training grant faculty and to directly contact potential mentors to discuss ongoing and potential projects.

The first three years of training in the physician–investigator pathway occur within the confines of the Fellowship Training Program in Cardiovascular Disease, accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Following the third year of training, fellows will have completed all requirements of the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) to be eligible to sit for the ABIM certification examination.

Two tracks are available in the physician–investigator pathway beginning early in the third year of fellowship, determined by whether trainees wish to focus on basic science or clinical investigation.

Basic Science Track

The basic science track allows fellows to formulate and pursue a significant research project under the mentorship of an established investigator at NYU Langone from within the Division of Cardiology or another academic unit. Trainees also participate in the outpatient cardiology continuity clinic and various educational activities, including seminars, lectures, and workshops. Fellows are expected to submit proposals for K (career development) grants to the NIH, or for grants from other agencies during the fourth year of training.

Clinical Investigator Track

The clinical investigator track enables fellows to embark on a career as an independent clinical or translational investigator and educator. During the investigative years, fellows typically pursue an MSCI degree, with its relevant course work in biostatistics and clinical trial design. Under the guidance of faculty members from our Cardiovascular Clinical Research Center, trainees identify a mentor and formulate an area of investigation for a thesis. The requirements for the MSCI degree are completed during the third and fourth years of this program.

For additional information, contact Haleigh Tutrow, senior program coordinator, at NYUCardiovascularDiseaseProgram@NYULangone.org.