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PrintMetropolitan Washington D.C. Medical Genetics
Fellowship Program Application
Overview
The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) sponsors the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Medical Genetics Training Program that offers two-year fellowships for M.D.s and Ph.D.s in cytogenetics, biochemical genetics and molecular genetics. This program provides participants the opportunity to conduct genetics research in some of the world's most advanced laboratories, gain clinical experience in the Washington, D.C. area and develop expertise in basic and clinical genetics research and diagnostics.
Eligibility
Eligibility has been established by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG). For training in each subspecialty, ABMG requires an M.D. or Ph.D. degree earned from a U.S. university or equivalent education with prior ABMG approval.
Curriculum
Fellows spend 18 months of the program at a laboratory of their choice. Six months clinical experience is also required. Fellows see patients in various National Institutes of Health (NIH) centers and in hospitals and outpatient clinics throughout metropolitan Washington, D.C.
Throughout the program, trainees attend a number of lecture courses, including: Introduction to Medical Genetics; Developmental Biology and Human Malformations; Inborn Errors of Metabolism; and Current Concepts in Clinical Molecular Genetics and Molecular Diagnostics. Attendance is also required at the weekly Clinical Genetics Case Conference and at the bi-weekly Cytogenetics/Molecular Genetics Sign-Out Conference. Many students choose to attend the Short Course in Medical and Experimental Mammalian Genetics at the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine during the month of July.
Training Sites
National Institutes of Health Clinical Center [cc.nih.gov]
The Children's National Medical Center and Research Institute [childrensnational.org]
Washington Hospital Center [whcenter.org]
Walter Reed Army Medical Center [wramc.amedd.army.mil]
Certification
Upon completion of the program, trainees will qualify for board certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics (ABMG) in one or more areas of expertise:
- Clinical Biochemical Genetics
- Clinical Cytogenetics
- Clinical Molecular Genetics
Application
The Medical Genetics Laboratory Fellowship program is a highly competitive, two year program leading to ABMG certification, with only a few positions available in each subspecialty per year.
The Clinical Molecular Genetics, Clinical Biochemical Genetics and Clinical Cytogenetics Fellowship programs are not funded for salaries. All candidates for these programs must come with a full time position in a relevant laboratory either at NIH or at one of our affiliated laboratories. You cannot be a volunteer (self-supported) fellow. Having found such a position does not guarantee interview or admission to the program.
Most fellows start their training in July, but there is some flexibility.
Individuals should send:
- A letter of interest
- A curriculum vitae
- Three letters of reference (including one from your lab director)
- Transcript and evidence of passing TOEFL, if applicable
- Graduates of foreign schools must also complete Credentials Verification Form
and send to ABMG.
Molecular and cytogenetics candidates must also have a letter of support from the laboratory director employing the fellow, with explicit permission to fully participate in all aspects of the program. Full participation includes weekly classes and meetings, as well as full-time rotations to other laboratories outside of the laboratory of employment for at least nine months.
Send these items to the contact and address below.
Deadline
Applicants should submit materials 12 to 18 months prior to the proposed start date. Competitive candidates will be invited to interview at the NIH. Successful applicants will be notified within six weeks of their interview.
Contact
Applications and questions regarding the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Medical Genetics Fellowship Training Program should be addressed to:
Maximilian Muenke, M.D.
Director of Residency and Fellowship Training
Medical Genetics Branch
National Human Genome Research Institute
National Institutes of Health
35 Convent Drive - MSC 3717
Building 35, Room 1B-203
Bethesda, MD 20892-3717
Phone: (301) 402-8167 or (301) 594-7487 (secretary)
Fax: (301) 480-7876
E-mail: mmuenke@nhgri.nih.gov
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Last Updated: May 3, 2011
