“Most of the big projects clinical academics want to do take resources. Be aware that one may have to make a business case to get funding to pursue a research project. It may sound strange for a field of medicine but like all other fields, people need persuasion and convincing,” said Dr Daniel Mark, professor of medicine at Duke University at a four-day webinar series ‘Building Research Programmes and Sharing Perspectives’ organised by department of medicine in collaboration with Duke University.
Dr Mark was speaking at the inaugural session that brought research experts from the two institutions to share insights on experiences as clinical academics, mentees and leaders in niche areas of medicine. Dr Mark was responding to a query by a participant on how the problem of limited funding and deficiency in national research grants can be addressed by researchers if they want to pursue innovative projects.
The webinar series was attended by over 400 participants across the world from Afghanistan to United States to Singapore. Experts shared their inspirational stories of working as clinical researchers, experience of being mentees and mentors and elaborated on the passions of wanting to make a difference through research.
An important topic speakers highlighted was how universities can strengthen research capacity. Dr Tazeen Jafar, a research professor of global health at Duke University, advised that universities should identify high priority areas in their work that are both sustainable and can help them with strategic recruitment of resources. She also stressed on building signature research programmes having a global outlook and integration of hypothesis-driven research in the education curriculum.
Speakers also highlighted the critical importance of having good mentorship for researchers. Dr Junaid Razzak, the director of centre of excellence for trauma and emergencies at AKU, shared some of the key qualities he looks for in pupils while selecting a mentee. He said that a mentor and mentee should have a shared vision, ideas and have a dream. “It is not about selecting the smartest student in a class,” said Dr Razzak. “More often the question is what an individual wants to do in their area of research.” Dr Mark opined that since there are differences in quality of mentorships provided by individuals, a possible solution could be to look for a combination of mentees. He advised that young researchers could think about a mentor who could guide on a therapeutic and career level and another one who could counsel on the technical side of one’s research project. The thought was iterated by researcher and professor Dr Pamela Douglas from Duke University for women researchers. She said women who have families need mentors who are 100 percent committed to advancing women in scientific field. “A role model they can talk to and somebody who can coach them, women actually need multiple mentors.”
On the subject of how researchers can balance the clinical duties versus research aspect of their careers, speakers shared that while there is no one formula, a lot of the decision making depends on the path one wants to take, relationship with research partners, and nature of one’s time and project. “Have a niche of a research method that you are really good at,” said Dr Adil Haider, Dean, Medical College. “Be an expert on some area and develop skills you are good at as it will make you a productive team member.”
“The research mentorship series was highly successful as it reflected on the hardships researchers encounter and the resilience required to keep moving forward and make a mark as clinical academics,” said Dr Zainab Samad, professor and chair in the department of medicine.
Keynote addresses at the webinar were delivered by Dean Dr Adil Haider, Dr Zulfiqar Bhutta, distinguished professor, and Dr Daniel Mark of Duke University and featured notable AKU and Duke University faculty in various sessions. The inaugural session also featured President Firoz Rasul and Dr Azra Pechuho, Sindh Minister for Health and Population Welfare.