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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. The purpose of this project is to provide an opportunity to formulate a hypothesis, develop an appropriate study design, execute the research, analyze data and present their findings orally and in writing. 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.

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.
  • PGY-1 and 2 residents have two 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 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.
  • PGY-4 residents present their culminating work on Resident Research Day. Faculty review the drafted manuscripts and presentations and the top three projects are awarded a cash prize.

Co-Directors

Dr-Boots

Christina E. Boots, MD, MSCI
Assistant Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility
christina.boots@nm.org

Dr-Kominiarek

Michelle A. Kominiarek, MD
Associate Professor of Maternal-Fetal Medicine
michelle.kominiarek@nm.org