Resident Research
The Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Obstetrics & Gynecology Residency Program is committed to assuring residents have opportunities to engage in research during residency. With ample faculty and institutional support, each resident is expected to design and carry out a research project of publishable quality. Northwestern and Stroger offer a wide range of opportunities and resources for residents to learn how to conduct a research project tailored to their individual interests. Research projects may include clinical research, epidemiology, qualitative research, basic science, public health, education or quality improvement-focused projects. To prepare for this goal, residents participate in a structured research program led by co-directors Christina E. Boots, MD, MSCI, and Michelle A. Kominiarek, MD.
Most unique about the research program at Northwestern is the protected research time given to residents during specific clinical rotations throughout their four years. This longitudinal allocation allows our residents to become excellent physician researchers, providing them with the opportunity to formulate a hypothesis, develop an appropriate study design, execute the research, analyze data and present their findings orally and in writing.
Learn more about resident research as well as our resident's recent publications and poster presentations:
Components of the resident research program include:
- Beginning in PGY-1 year, residents participate in small-group semiannual research "works in progress" meetings. Groups of six to nine residents (mixed group of all levels) participate in meetings led by experienced research faculty. Residents have an opportunity to discuss early ideas, challenges, resources and works in progress.
- Residents PGY1, 2, and 3 residents have three rotations each year with a dedicated half-day per week in which they are excused from clinical activities to develop research ideas and seek mentorship.
- PGY-1 and 2 residents have semiannual one-on-one meetings with the resident research program co-directors to develop ideas, learn about resources and mentorship and address challenges.
- PGY-3 residents have additionally a flexible elective block in which they are protected from clinical responsibilities in order to facilitate completion of research or other clinical interests.
- Residents have access to institutional resources, including assistance with IRB preparation, grant-writing support, statistical support, research software, internal grants, database support and other research resources through the Northwestern University Clinical &- Translational Sciences Institute.
- Residents presenting oral or poster abstracts at national meetings may request funding for travel support to conferences. The majority of resident projects result in presentations at local and national conferences as well as peer-reviewed publications.
- Through a generous philanthropic fund, all residents have the opportunity to apply for resident-dedicated research funding to facilitate completion of prospective research.
Co-Directors
Christina E. Boots, MD, MSCI
Assistant Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
christina.boots@nm.org
Michelle A. Kominiarek, MD
Associate Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
michelle.kominiarek@nm.org