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It's summer time and a great opportunity to think about training that will boost your career! In this newsletter, NIH Clinical Research Connections, you receive information about upcoming events and stories about what's happening at the NIH Clinical Center. Please forward to others who might be interested. Also, please contact us with story ideas or feedback on this newsletter. As always, thank you for your support!
Summer Internship Kicks Off
 This month, 32 students from across the United States will embark on their 2011 summer internship at the NIH Clinical Center, allowing them to perform short-term research projects under the guidance of experienced mentors. As in previous years, a cross section of high school, undergraduate, medical, and graduate students will descend on NIH for an eight week training experience. Students are also treated to a weekly lecture series presented by Clinical Center clinician-scientists discussing cutting edge clinical research.
The program will culminate with an NIH-wide poster session in August. This event serves as an opportunity for all students to present their research projects to the larger NIH audience and hopefully inspire students to continue their education and careers in research.
Didn't apply this year? Applications are accepted every year between mid-November and March 1. For more information visit the Summer Internship Program website.
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Clinical Electives Program Draws a Crowd
 The Clinical Center's Clinical Electives Program (CEP) introduced a new online application system that has sparked an interest in the program. Since the 1970s the Clinical Electives Program for Medical and Dental Students has welcomed senior level allopathic, osteopathic, and international medical students and final year dental students to the Clinical Center for four or eight week clinical elective rotations in 32 different specialty or subspecialty disciplines.
In March 2011, Clinical Center became a host institution for a new online application system from the American Association of Medical College's (AAMC), called the Visiting Student Application System (VSAS). Since the launch of VSAS, the CEP has experienced a significant increase in both inquiries and applications for clinical elective rotations from students at LCME accredited schools.
The CEP serves, in part, as a mechanism to attract highly qualified students who are interested in careers in clinical research, and to encourage students to pursue clinical research in government, industry, and university-based training programs. Many participants in the CEP have gone on to research intensive academic medical centers to train and to participate in research programs aimed at solving the mysteries of human diseases yet to be cured, and to improve and extend the lives of patients.
More information can be found on the CEP website or by contacting Ms. Vicki Malick at malickv@mail.cc.nih.gov.
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Plan for Fall: Clinical Research Courses at NIH
 While you're enjoying your summer, why not plan for fall? Starting in July and August, registration will open for two of the Clinical Center's most popular courses, Introduction to the Principles and Practice of Clinical Research (IPPCR) and Principles of Clinical Pharmacology (PCP). These courses are offered at no cost to those who attend lectures on the NIH campus in the Lipsett Amphitheater of Building 10. The textbook for each course (pictured right) is available in the FAES bookstore or online.
Since 1995, IPPCR has been the flagship course of the Clinical Center, offering content ranging from clinical trial design to ethical and regulatory issues. To date, 10,628 students have completed IPPCR, and the course has even been conducted live at various locations in China and an university in Nigeria.
For those interested in clinical pharmacologic aspects of contemporary drug development and utilization, the PCP course is for you. Over 6,600 students have enrolled in PCP since it began in 1998 and interest continues to grow each year.
Find out more about each course on the OCRTME website or call 301-496-9425.
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CRTP Fellows Visit Pfizer Laboratories
 The 2010-2011 NIH Clinical Research Training Program (CRTP) fellows traveled to Groton, Connecticut on April 7 and 8 as part of an annual trip to Pfizer's Global Research and Development campus. During those two days, the CRTP fellows participated in tours and heard presentations pertaining to phase III clinical trials, research on rare and orphan diseases, and anti-counterfeiting of drugs.
 One of the highlights was a panel discussion that focused on careers in the pharmaceutical industry which was lead by three Pfizer physicians in leadership roles, such as Senior Director and Vice President. The panelists shared their educational backgrounds and their roles and responsibilities at Pfizer. Two of the panelists have had previous training at the NIH; one as a fellow and one as a student, and discussed the benefits of healthy collaboration between industry and clinician-scientists at either academic or governmental institutions.
The CRTP is a public-private partnership supported jointly by the NIH and the Foundation for NIH with an educational grant from Pfizer Inc.
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