Evaluation of Progress
Each fellow has a Research Advisory Committee comprised of 4-6 faculty members from a variety of backgrounds with expertise in various aspects of the fellow’s research project. Committee members are appointed by the research mentor and fellow so that the committee can best serve their needs. This committee meets with the fellow at least twice a year to evaluate research progress and/or performance.
Central oversight of the fellow’s progress will be accomplished by (1) twice yearly research-in progress talks (once at the Divisional Didactic Conference and once at the University of Virginia Infectious Diseases Research Day; (2) summaries of trainee progress sent to the Steering Committee from the Research Advisory Committee, and (3) from annual reports from the mentor to an Executive Committee. The Program Director has an open door policy for all members (preceptors and trainees) of the Program. Criteria to measure progress of the trainees include ensuring that the fellow has adequate coursework background for the research area (see below) and that the research plan is well focused and productive. Oversight also documents that the trainee is writing original research papers and presenting at the research-in-progress and national meetings, and applying for foundation or NIH K08 or K23 grants.