The Department expects residents to participate in hypothesis-driven, thematic-based research during training, and all residents are guaranteed 6 to 12 months of research time during the PGY4 year. The specific length of research time afforded each resident will be based on the nature and quality of the proposed research, as determined in advance by the residency program director and chairman. Residents have the discretion of tailoring their research in the form of biological laboratory research, clinical research, or medical physics research under the supervision of a designated mentor. Basic research opportunities will not be limited to radiation research, but will be open to any cancer-related laboratory programs associated within the UCI School of Medicine and Comprehensive Cancer Center. Consideration could be given to the American Board of Radiology (ABR) Holman Pathway for exceptional candidates with a strong background in research. During the allocated research time, residents will specifically be free of all clinical responsibilities and will also not be expected to take call assignments.
UCI is recognized as a leader in the burgeoning field of health services research. Opportunities exist for trainees to work with faculty in the Health Policy Research Institute (HPRI) through the Masters of Science in Biomedical and Translational Science (MS-BATS) and the Certificate Program in Clinical Research, which aims to produce leaders and agents for change in diverse settings such as the community, federal and state governments, health care organizations, and academic departments. Residents with an interest in health services research are encouraged to develop careers to that can play an active role in shaping and evaluating policies and programs to improve systems, with particular focus on care for those outside of society's mainstream.