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PrintMedical Biochemical Genetics Residency Program
William A. Gahl, M.D., Ph.D., Director
- Overview
- Eligibility Criteria
- Structure of the Training Program
- Metropolitan Area Genetics Rotations
- Maryland Newborn Screening Laboratory
- Lectures, Courses and Seminars
- Program Faculty and Research Interests
- How to Apply
Overview
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) offers a one-year residency program in Medical Biochemical Genetics that trains highly motivated physicians to diagnose, manage and counsel patients with metabolic genetic disorders.
The NHGRI program is unparalleled in several respects. It exposes students to rare genetic disorders that might not be seen in a more typical biochemical genetics program; it is one of the few programs that emphasizes clinical research, and it grants access to the vast resources at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and at other, highly ranked medical institutions in the national capitol area.
The NIH sponsor of the program is the National Human Genome Research Institute. Other participating institutions include Children's National Medical Center (CNMC), Washington D.C. and the University of Maryland Medical System, Baltimore, Md.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have an M.D. degree and have completed an accredited U.S. residency training program in clinical genetics or an ABMS primary specialty area, be board eligible or board certified in clinical genetics or an ABMS primary specialty area and have a valid, unrestricted U.S. license.
Structure of the Training Program
Three months of rotations will be at the NIH, three months at Children's National Medical Center, one month in a biochemical genetics laboratory, two weeks at the Maryland Newborn Screening Laboratory, one month of clinical research at NIH and three and a half months of clinical electives at either NIH, CNMC, University of Maryland specialty clinics, or Kennedy-Krieger Institute.
Although this is a one-year program, most candidates will want to spend 2 to 3 years acquiring skills in the care and clinical research of patients with metabolic disorders.
Metropolitan Area Genetics Rotations
Children's National Medical Center (CNMC) (required): During this rotation fellows have both inpatient and outpatient responsibilities. They function as genetics consultants for CNMC patients and are involved in the medical management of patients with metabolic disorders. They diagnose, manage and counsel outpatients and participate in the metabolic specialty clinic weekly.
Maryland Newborn Screening Laboratory
This rotation will introduce the fellow to the state NBS testing and techniques, as well as many nutritional management protocols for newly diagnosed infants with metabolic disorders. Counseling skills will be improved by teaching referring physicians and parents about positive test results and dietary therapies.
Lectures, Courses and Seminars
The residency program includes many lectures, courses and seminars. Among them are a journal club and seminars in genetic topics. The course Inborn Errors in Metabolism, a one semester course, is required for all trainees.
Program Faculty and Research Interests
- William A. Gahl, M.D., Ph.D.: Inborn Errors of Metabolism, cystinosis, alkaptonuria, Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
- Cynthia J. Tifft, M.D., Ph.D.: Natural history of neurofibromatosis, type I, cleft lip and palate disorders, Tay-Sachs
- David Adams, M.D. Ph.D.D.: Oculocutaneous albinism, sialic aciddisorders, metabolic diseases
- Meral Gunay-Aygun, M.D. Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease, ciliopathies, metabolic diseases
- Carol Greene, M.D.: Organic acidoses
- Uta Lichter-Konecki, M.D., Ph.D.: Inborn Errors of Metabolism, Urea Cycle Disorders, Renal Fanconi Syndrome and Phenylketonuria (PKU)
- Thomas Markello, M.D., Ph.D.: Metabolic disorders, pulmonary fibrosis
- Susan Panny, M.D.: Director, Maryland Newborn Screening Laboratory
- Ellen Sidransky, M.D.: Gaucher disease, Lysosomal storage diseases
- Wendy Introne, M.D.: Alkaptonuria
- Mendel Tuchman, M.D., Ph.D.: Urea cycle defects, biochemical diagnostics
- Charles Venditti, M.D., Ph.D.: Methylmalonic acidemias
- Dina Zand, M.D.: Metabolic disorders
How to Apply
Send a letter of interest, a CV, three letters of reference, United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) scores and a transcript to:
William A. Gahl, M.D., Ph.D.
Clinical Director, National Human Genome Research Institute
Head, Section on Human Biochemical Genetics, Medical Genetics Branch
Head, Intramural Program, Office of Rare Diseases Research
National Institutes of Health
10 Center Drive - MSC 1851
Building 10, Room 10C-103
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-1851
Phone: 301-402-1833
Fax: 301-402-2740
E-mail: bgahl@helix.nih.gov
Last Reviewed: July 8, 2012
