Research Fellowships

Research Fellowship

• Benefits of Research
• Objectives of Research
• Research Track
• Requirements
  

Benefits of Research

• Clarify career opportunities and choices
• Decide upon a specific subspecialty
• Increase analytical and critical thinking skills
• Develop close relationships with your Mentors
  

The opportunity to work closely with renowned scientists in your chosen field is a strategic and exciting step in launching your research career. Mentored research projects facilitate organizing meaningful questions in a thoughtful manner. Science is advanced by unique insights, supportive collaborations, effective experimentation, adequate funding and timely implementation of ideas. Scholars have long known that the nature of the question is critical in finding the answer. Participation in the research increases understanding how scientists, social scientists, and humanists in their various ways go about creating new knowledge in their respective fields. The research process can therefore be a model for a lifetime of problem solving. Researchers learn to evaluate material critically rather than to accept it without evidence. Research participation also allows interaction with people of different backgrounds, cultures and professional expertise. Moreover one can often publish and/or present their work in professional contexts, and thus have a competitive edge when applying for further advanced training or jobs in their respective fields.

Objectives of Research

The objectives of research in ophthalmology and vision are to encourage and promote basic science and clinical research directed to an increased understanding of the eye and vision, development of procedures for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of abnormalities and diseases affecting the visual process and scientific studies leading to new treatments for conditions that currently are without effective prevention or treatment.

Research Track

Most Universities in the US have facilities for both basic science research as well as clinical research and offer opportunities depending on the interest and level of prior basic training of the individual. Some universities offer postdoctoral research fellowships which may range from short term (3 months) to long term (3 years). Like clinical and basic science research in general, ophthalmic research is based upon the intuitions and inventiveness of the individual researcher, the level of technological development at any given moment, and the availability of human tissues or animal models with which to conduct in-depth analyses and experiments. Most sophisticated disciplines and tools of basic science research have been productively applied to the study of eye diseases: virology, immunology, morphometry, pharmacology, cell biology, and lately, molecular genetics and transgenic animal models of human diseases.

To promote and encourage interaction in research and education with ophthalmology institutions throughout the world most reputed universities in the US offer International Ophthalmology Fellowships consisting of one-year programs of study under the supervision of specific institute faculty. Candidates for these international fellowships are often nominated by institutions outside the United States . Some apply to the program on their own. Fellows participate in the clinical and research activities of ophthalmic subspecialties according to their training needs.

Most of the Universities offer international research fellowships in the following subspecialties, including:

• Cataract Research
• Cornea-External Ocular Disease
• Glaucoma
• Neuro-Ophthalmology
• Ophthalmic Pathology
• Orbital and Ophthalmic Plastic Surgery
• Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
• Vitreoretinal Disease and Surgery

Requirements

Although the requirements of applying for research fellowships may vary according to institution policies most of the universities and/or university affiliated hospitals offer institution sponsored J1 or H1B visa for the fellowships. In addition to the paperwork required for the visa application most institutions require additional documents like:

• Most recent curriculum vitae (CV)
• A copy of your medical school diploma in the language of the country of your training, along with a literal word-for-word English translation, if the diploma is not in English.
• A copy of your license to practice medicine issued by your home country, with an English translation.
• A Letter of Good Standing or Certificate of Good Standing, with an English translation, from the Ministry of Health or Medical Council that issued the license to practice medicine.
• A copy of your Residency Training Certificate, and/or medical school diploma.
• Recommendation letters from your previous mentors/faculty
• Personal statement introducing yourself, your character and skills, previous experience and training, and your future goals. What are the most compelling reasons you can give for the committee to be interested in you.

Funding

Research fellowship could be funded by the program or self funded. Various opportunities for sponsorships or grants are available from government or non government agencies.