Background
Miami occupies a unique place among the major US cities in reflecting the vitality and creativity of exchange between the continental US cultural and academic environment and that of the Latin-American and Iberian Peninsula. Historically, the University of Miami has been a traditional place for medical training for many from Latin America.
Within the International Society for Bipolar Disorders (ISBD), the Ibero-American Network in Bipolar Disorders (IAN-BD) includes different countries from Latin America and from the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal) plus the United States and Italy, forming a vital and very active research network focusing on the advancement of research and training in bipolar disorder.
The partnership between the UM department of psychiatry research on bipolar disorder and the ISBD/IAN-BD is a unique opportunity to build on UM educational traditions and collaborations with Latin America and on the strengths and international stature of the ISBD/IAN-BD to provide state of the art fellowship training in bipolar disorder research. This fellowship is envisioned to help in the formation of future researchers and educators in bipolar disorder from IberoAmerican countries.
The mission of this fellowship is to provide a clinical research experience in bipolar disorders at the U Miami for senior residents/fellows/junior faculty who are planning an academic career in an IberoAmerican country.
Program Description
The main objectives of the UM/IAN-BD fellowship are to provide the trainee with a meaningful and flexible experience in research in bipolar disorder. This includes training in research methodology, helping trainees acquire skills to conduct research and building career skills through a strong mentorship opportunity.
The fellowship will be flexible to tailor the training to the trainee's availability on site. Thus, the duration of the fellowship may last from 2 weeks (visiting fellow) to one-year, depending on feasibility. Fellowship activity will involve participation in ongoing research projects in bipolar disorder at the University of Miami, which may include clinical trials with medications or psychosocial interventions, epidemiological, or genetic research. The fellow, depending on their levels of training, may participate in all aspects of research.
Current Ongoing Studies include a number of clinical trials for bipolar disorder and concurrent substance use disorders. Training will include first hand exposure to conducting clinical trials involving complex presentation of bipolar disorder in the context of active substance use disorders. Trainees will gain familiarity in the evaluation, assessment, monitoring, and outcome assessment of both bipolar disorder and alcoholism and cocaine addiction; this includes exposure to psychosocial treatment developed specifically for this population.
Funding
Currently, all expenses connected to the trainee's activity such as travel, stipend, living expenses, etc. to be covered by the trainee's department of origin.
The UM/IAN-BD does not have funding to cover the fellowship.
The UM's contribution include the time provided by its faculty and the resources available to contribute to ongoing studies.
Funding for the fellowship will be pursued in the future.
Funding
Currently, all expenses connected to the trainee's activity such as travel, stipend, living expenses, etc. to be covered by the trainee's department of origin.
The UM/IAN-BD does not have funding to cover the fellowship.
The UM's contribution include the time provided by its faculty and the resources available to contribute to ongoing studies.
Funding for the fellowship will be pursued in the future.
Fellowship Directors:
The fellowship will be co-lead by:
On site:
Ihsan Salloum, MD, MPH
Co-Chair: The ISBD Trainee Education Committee
Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Administrative Assistant
Remonia Green
(305) 243-1301
Off site:
Mauricio Tohen MD, DrPH, MBA
Founder, IAN-BD
Distinguished Lilly Scholar for Neurosciences
Lilly Research Laboratories
Visiting Professor of Psychiatry (Proposed)
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Administrative Assistant
S. Ann Green
(317) 276-6147
Application Procedure:
Interested trainees should send their applications either Dr. Salloum or Dr. Tohen (e-mails listed above) to include:
1. A brief Biographical sketch
2. A letter of interest outlining training goals and interest
3. A curriculum vitae
4. A letter of reference from host institution
5. A letter addressing financial sufficiency
