Research

Congenital cardiac surgery fellows are expected to participate in a quality improvement project and have access to significant clinical and basic science research resources. Presentations at national meetings are encouraged with dedicated time off and travel stipend included.

The scientific environment at Duke University, the Department of Surgery, and specifically the research community contributes to the probability of success. Weekly meetings occur across collaborations and a rotating schedule of individual projects presented by post-doctoral fellows and students. The structure of shared mentoring of post-docs and students among PIs fosters exchange of information, ideas, and data such that new techniques can be rapidly implemented and applied throughout various collaborations. To that end, our congenital faculty have active leadership roles on current grants.

A highly collaborative atmosphere and commitment to translational research characterizes our program such that new discoveries can move from basic to small animal to large animal to human in a seamless manner. The Duke Division of Laboratory Animal Resources (DLAR) has become a highly supportive partner in the Duke Congenital Heart Surgery Research and Training Laboratory (see below). In fact, they support Marfan syndrome investigations in his genetically engineered murine model, non-human primate work on his tolerance studies using co-transplantation of thymus and heart, NIH-funded, minimally invasive ventricular assist device development in a sheep model, and his conotruncal model of congenital heart disease in swine.

The laboratory maintains current intramural and extramural funding totaling more than $3M. Numerous efforts in basic science, translational and clinical research are run through this well-equipped, 1,300 square foot wet lab, and equivalent office space facility. There are ample core facilities in close proximity to support all of the research efforts. The operation currently supports two research assistants, three full-time residents in research fellowships and several residents and medical students engaging in projects during their clinical years. The Department of Surgery provides full support for grant writing assistance, management of grant funds, human resources, illustrators for grants and manuscripts, and travel to scientific meetings. As such, the laboratory has been highly productive with regard to publications and presentations and successful in attaining extramural funding.

Joseph W. Turek, MD, PhD, MBA

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Nicholas D. Andersen, MD

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