Postdoctoral Training Program in Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Research at the Northwestern AF Center
Northwestern University, along with Midwestern University, is one of six nationwide recipients of the American Heart Association’s Strategically Focused Research Network (SFRN) on atrial fibrillation. Dr. Rod Passman is the Principal Investigator of the Center. Dr. Philip Greenland directs the post-doctoral fellowship training program. The focus of Northwestern’s Atrial Fibrillation Center is the role of the atrial myopathy in development of atrial fibrillation and AF-related brain disease. The overall objective of the Northwestern University SFRN Center is to characterize the specific pathology, anatomy, and physiology of the atrial myopathy and to determine how the atrial myopathy is associated with AF-treatment outcomes and development of AF in previously healthy people.
Post-doctoral fellows will work with leading scientists studying multiple aspects of the atrial myopathy, AF, and AF-related brain disease. A large focus of the Center is MRI imaging of the atrium and characterization of 4-D flow characteristics.
The three primary research projects that the Northwestern Center will conduct are as follows:
- Clinical: Role and reversibility of the atrial myopathy following pulmonary vein isolation. Principal Investigator: Rod Passman, MD, MS
- Population/Epi: Atrial Substrate in Atrial Fibrillation and AF-associated brain disease: Philip Greenland MD
- Basic: Role of Oxidative Stress in Vulnerable Substrate for AF in the Intact Atrium: Rishi Arora, MD
Overview of Training Program
The Northwestern SFRN Center supports two-year postdoctoral fellowship positions for individuals interested in advanced training in atrial fibrillation. Research fellows will be trained in both science and pathophysiology of AF and the application of research methods to investigate and treat AF and related brain disease. Northwestern’s highly individualized 2-year training program offers basic, clinical, and population research experience. The fellow’s progress will be overseen by established nationally-recognized scientists and mentors. The fellowship provides opportunity to collaborate with other Atrial Fibrillation Network centers across the United States.
Program Details
The training program is led by internationally recognized scientists, who are experts in AF, cardiology, radiology, stroke neurology, and epidemiology. The training program combines experiential training, mentorship, and collaboration with other institutions and scientists in the AHA AF Network. Trainees will be expected to conduct an independent mentored research project. Fellows will choose a concentration in basic, clinical or population sciences.
Fellows will be expected to prepare manuscripts for presentation at national meetings and publication. The curriculum includes assistance writing successful grant applications.
Eligibility
Eligible fellows will have completed a postgraduate doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DO, ScD, or other) prior to beginning the fellowship. The ideal scholar has a background in one of the following disciplines but other expertise will also be considered: clinical medicine, basic science, public health, epidemiology, cardiology, neurology, or radiology. The fellowship is highly multidisciplinary. Competitive candidates will be willing to train in more than one area (e.g., epidemiology and clinical research). All applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
Additional eligibility criteria:
- U.S. citizen
- Permanent Resident
- Pending Permanent Resident (must have applied for permanent residency and have filed Form I-485 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and have received authorization to legally remain in the U.S., having filed an Application for Employment Form I-765)
- E-3 Visa – specialty occupation worker
- H1-B Visa – temporary worker in a specialty occupation
- O-1 Visa – temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences
- TN Visa – NAFTA professional
- J-1 Visa – exchange visitor
- F-1 Visa – student
- G-4 Visa – family member of employee of international organizations and NATO
*All awardees must meet the citizenship criteria throughout the duration of the award.
Duration
The fellowship is two years in duration. Typically, fellows will begin in July. However, start dates may vary each year.
Salary and Benefits
The salary is competitive. Fellows may participate in the Northwestern University health and dental, group term and optional life insurance, long-term disability, FSA, retirement, and long-term care plans. Fellows are expected to devote 100% effort towards the fellowship and cannot hold any additional federal funding during the two-year fellowship. Support is provided for fellows to travel to at least one meeting per year related to the SFRN.
Application
Applicants must provide a completed personal data form, a statement of interest, and two letters of recommendation. Competitive candidates are invited to share their research experience and interview with members of the Fellowship Selection Committee at Northwestern University.
Trainee & Coursework
The primary goals of the Northwestern SFRN Training Program in Atrial Fibrillation are to provide trainees with hands-on, mentored training in basic, clinical and population-based research methods. The training program takes advantage of highly successful training resources available at Northwestern and an individualized training plan that prepares fellows to become successful independent investigators studying vascular disease.
Trainees will collaborate with other centers in the AHA SFRN, which provides additional opportunities for networking, collaboration and learning.
Mentors
- Rod Passman, MD, MSCE, Center Director and PI of the clinical research project.
- Philip Greenland, MD, FAHA: PI of the epidemiologic research project, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. Dr. Greenland is also Director of the Training Program.
- Rishi Arora, MD: PI of the basic science project.
- Michael Markl, PhD: Co-investigator, expertise in cardiovascular imaging research and 4D flow MRI.
- Daniel Kim, PhD: Co-investigator, expertise in cardiovascular imaging research highly-accelerated imaging
- Daniel Lee, MD: Co-investigator, cardiology
- Shyam Prabhakaran, MD: Co-investigator, neurology and stroke.
Affiliated Organizations
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Midwestern University.
For additional information, please contact Anna Huskin in the Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.
Anna Huskin, RN, BSN, CCRC
Program Development Manager
Clinical Trials Unit
Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
676 N. Saint Clair, Suite 1700
Chicago, IL 60611
312.695.4067 Office
312.695.6854 Fax
Anna.huskin@nm.org