
2023 ACG Clinical Research Leadership Program Participants
Elevating Leadership Skills for Clinical Researchers
The Clinical Research Leadership Program is a NEW signature program of the ACG Institute’s Center for Leadership, Ethics & Equity. Receiving a grant award is a celebratory milestone, inherent with several new responsibilities for the awardee – as a scientific leader, financial administrator, manager, and mentor. This unique interactive program will provide funded ACG clinician investigators with the skill set to start, grow and maintain success as research leaders. Participants will learn research leadership skills to maintain a successful independent research program.
The goal of the program is to provide leadership training for early to mid-career clinical investigators who are ACG member physicians (between 2-15 years out of fellowship training), are working in the U.S., and have active or recent funding as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator.
2023 Clinical Research Leadership Program Cohort

Elham Afghani, MD, MPH

Patricia Pringle Bloom, MD

Joy Weiling Chang, MD, MS

Po-Hung (Victor) Chen, MD, FACG

Jennifer L. Horsley-Silva, MD

Afrin Nahar Kamal, MD, MS

Sarah Rosanna Lieber, MD, MSCR

Leila Neshatian, MD, MSc

Vu Quang Nguyen, MD

Guru Trikudanathan, MD

Ravy K. Vajravelu, MD, MSCE

Christopher Vélez, MD
Course Details
Course Topics:
- Grant Finance & Administration
- Research Operations & Strategy
- Determining your Leadership Style
- Successfully Managing a Research Team
- Managing your Research Career Trajectory & Mentorship 360
- Mentoring the Next Generation of Clinical Investigators
- Tips on Ensuring Financial Success as an Investigator
- Working with Your Program Officer
- Leading a Diverse Team
Course Directors:
Neena S. Abraham, MD, MSc(Epid), MACG, Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH, FACG, and Rena H. Yadlapati, MD, MSHS, FACG
Course Components:
- Pre-Course assignments
- In-person course (lectures, interactive 1:1, small-group sessions, individual assignments): March 3-5, 2023 in Washington, DC
- Virtual sessions quarterly (over one year)
Preparatory Assignments:
- Each participant will review a specific aims page and budget worksheet submitted by another participant
- Each participant will complete a leadership inventory
Attendees:
To facilitate a positive, interactive learning environment and networking, the course would be limited to 30 attendees. Applications would be accepted from the following ACG members:
- College Members 2-15 years post completion of GI fellowship training
- Based in the United States
Apply:
Applicants will need to submit their current NIH biosketch, personal statement of interest in participating in the program including details of your current research funding and any future research applications you are working towards, proof of recent or ongoing research funding as a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator, and a letter of recommendation from a mentor or supervisor who can speak to your research leadership potential and research experience. Current principal investigators and previous recipients of ACG Institute funding are encouraged to apply.
Applications will be reviewed by the ACG Institute and will be notified regarding their inclusion in the program (there are no registration fees for the program – it is by invitation only).
Eligibility & Evaluation Criteria:
To choose the recipients, the Institute will assess the degree to which the applicant meets the eligibility criteria:
- ACG members who are at least 2 years out from all GI fellowship training
- Recipients of ACG or federal research funding (non-trainee, non-fellow) in the last 10 years
- Current NIH biosketch
- Personal statement of interest in participating in the program, including details of your current research funding and any future research applications you are working towards(500 words max)
- Proof of recent or ongoing funding as Principal Investigator/Co-Principal Investigator – award letter/notice of award listing PI / Co-PI.
- A strong letter of nomination from a mentor or supervisor, who can speak to your research leadership potential and research experience
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