The UCSF Division of Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology MS / Neuroimmunology Fellowship Track Descriptions
The UCSF Division of Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology MS / Neuroimmunology Fellowship program is a premier non-ACGME post-graduate training program for neurologists who aspire to become specialists in MS and neuroimmunology. Our clinician fellowship track is coordinated through the SF Match and is a 1-year intensive training program focused on training master clinicians and future clinical leaders in the field. Our program also offers clinician scientist fellowship pathways (typically 2-3 years) that are NOT currently part of the SF Match process, and applications for the clinician scientist pathway need to be submitted directly to the program via email to the Director of the Fellowship Program, Dr. Joanne Guo, MD ([email protected]).
Clinical Fellowship Track (1 year):
The clinician fellowship track provides training in multiple sclerosis and a broad range of other inflammatory neurological disorders including optic neuritis, myelitis, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, MOG-antibody associated demyelinating disease, vasculitis, and paraneoplastic conditions. Fellows will actively participate in weekly didactic sessions, MS Center Clinical Conferences, and journal clubs. Fellows also have the opportunity to participate in our clinic leadership rounds and meetings to understand and contribute to the multidisciplinary team needed to care for people living with chronic neuroimmunologic conditions. The goal of this fellowship pathway is to provide training needed to launch a clinically-oriented career as a sub-specialist in MS/Neuroimmunology.
Multiple Sclerosis/Neuroimmunology Clinician Scientist Fellowship Track (Clinical, Translational, and Basic Science Research (2-3 years):
In addition to the clinical breadth of training as described above, clinician-scientist fellows work in the clinical research unit or MS laboratory at the state-of-the-art Sandler Neurosciences Center at our Mission Bay campus. Fellows focusing on clinical research projects will obtain hands-on training in observational and interventional clinical research related to MS and neuroimmunology, including participation in clinical trials testing new agents, under the mentorship of expert faculty in clinical research. Fellows are encouraged to obtain formal training in epidemiology, biostatistics and research methods. Fellows participate in research-oriented journal clubs, grand rounds and retreats as part of the innovative research environment at UCSF. The goal of this fellowship pathway is to provide training needed to launch a clinically-oriented career as a sub-specialist in MS/Neuroimmunology and as a clinical researcher in MS / Neuroimmunology.
Fellows focusing on basic science projects will obtain hands-on training in the wet or computational laboratory under the mentorship of experienced principal investigators in the research unit. There is extensive laboratory expertise at UCSF in a wide range of areas, including genetic epidemiology, computational biology, molecular biology, signaling, EAE/MS immunobiology, B and T cell biology, antibodies, developmental/stem cell biology, neuroimaging, myelination/repair, microbiome and metagenomic sequencing. The expectation is that basic research will be relevant to human disease. Mentors will guide and assist fellows in the preparation of applications for funding to continue career development or transition to independence. The goal of this fellowship pathway is to provide training needed to launch a clinically-oriented career as a sub-specialist in MS/Neuroimmunology and as a basic scientist focused on MS / Neuroimmunology.
Neuro-Infectious disease interest -- With faculty mentors in the UCSF Center for Meningitis and Encephalitis (https://encephalitis.ucsf.edu) and Division of Neuroimmunology and Glial Biology, the fellowship program also offers applicants with a particular interest in neuro-infectious diseases to pursue neuro-ID focused research and clinical training, while also gaining clinical expertise in MS / Neuroimmunology
General Information:
For general information, candidates are also invited to contact Dr. Guo (above).
To be eligible for the clinical fellowship program, candidates must 1) have completed residency in neurology or child neurology; 2) exhibit outstanding clinical skills and competency with great potential to become an outstanding MS/neuroimmunology subspecialist clinician leader; 3) exhibit an outstanding bedside manner and ability to work as part of a healthcare team and within the healthcare system to provide multidisciplinary comprehensive care; 4) have excellent professionalism; 5) exhibit a passion for caring for MS / neuroimmunology patients; 6) have demonstrated academic excellence; 7) be Board Certified or Board Eligible or equivalent in Neurology (and for child neurologists with special certification in child neurology); 7) be eligible to practice medicine in California. Our program seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence.