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West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute

Mountaineer StARR Program

image of medical students sitting at a table discussing their work

The Mountaineer Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) Program prepares Family Medicine and Internal Medicine Residents at West Virginia University for a career in clinical and translational research. This NIH-funded initiative prioritizes clinical and translational research addressing heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders, with an emphasis on improving health in rural communities across the country.

Program Highlights

  • 15-month mentored research experience with 80% protected research time
  • Completion of StARR curriculum includes completion of a Master of Science in Clinical and Translational Science
  • Learn the fundamentals of clinical and translational research in the Residents Research Academy
  • Experiential rural health learning opportunities
  • Structured guidance on external funding grant submission e.g. NIH career development grants
  • Clinical training elements of the program fully meet eligibility requirements for American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) and American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM)

Eligibility

The Mountaineer StARR program is open to Internal Medicine and Family Medicine residents at West Virginia University with demonstrated interest in clinical and/or translational research.

Curriculum

Diagram showing a 4-year clinical research training pathway. PGY1–PGY3 are labeled on the left with corresponding stages: PGY1 includes 12 months of clinical training and a Resident Research Academy; PGY2 includes 12 months of clinical training with 25% research time; PGY3 includes 9 months of clinical training, 25% research, and 3 months of protected research time. A fourth stage (PGY4) on the right highlights CTSI MS coursework, career development grant application, and 12 months of protected research time. Arrows indicate progression from PGY1 through PGY4 with increasing research focus.

Learn more and apply

Residents interested in participating in the Mountaineer StARR program should reach out to their residency program director listed below.

Family and Community Medicine Residency Program Director

Erika Bodkins, MD - bodkinse@hsc.wvu.edu


Internal Medicine Residency Program Director

Josephine Reece, MD - jreece@hsc.wvu.edu


This collaborative training environment is provided by the WVU School of Medicine and the West Virginia Clinical and Translational Science Institute (WVCTSI) and supported by NIH Award: R38HL172262