Fellowship Overview
Our three-year program provides a rich and stimulating training environment to give each fellow extensive clinical and research expertise in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. Our mission is to train clinical experts in reproductive endocrinology and infertility for academic medicine. We strive to prepare fellows with:
- A broad base of clinical skills and experience
- Training and unique expertise in cutting edge research
- Outstanding teaching and mentorship skills
2023 Recruitment/Interviews Key Dates
- Application Deadline: May 1st, 2023
- We accept applications through ERAS. We do NOT require CREOG scores.
- Initial interview invitations: Friday June 2nd, 2023
- Deadline for response to interview invitations: Tuesday, June 6th, 2023
- Final date for informing all candidates of their status and giving dates to invited candidates: Friday, June 19th, 2023
- Interview Dates for 2023-2024 AY: Monday, July 31st, 2023 and Tuesday, August 22nd, 2023
Program Description
The Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Fellowship at the University of Utah accepts one fellow per year. We are accredited by ACGME.
The first year of the fellowship is dedicated to clinical training. Our program offers a high volume of complex reproductive surgery including correction of Müllerian anomalies and tubal reanastomosis. Fellows are an integral part of our ART program, and on ART rotations, participate in daily rounds, reviewing all IVF cases. They are trained in oocyte retrieval and embryo transfer. During non-ART clinical rotations, fellows participate in clinics with the faculty, and also have their own independent clinics. REI fellows receive comprehensive training in ultrasound, saline sonohysterogram, and hysterosalpingography.
The second year of the REI fellowship is fully devoted to research. Fellows participate in both basic science and clinical research. Fellows work with faculty research mentors during the first year to develop a project and obtain IRB or other necessary approvals, so that the entire second year can be devoted to performance of research. Fellows may leverage existing collaborations with basic science and clinical investigators throughout the University and other sites nationally. Our faculty have served as investigators in large, NIH-funded clinical trials, creating opportunities for fellow projects. The Utah Population Database is a unique resource for population based analyses and studies. The Obstetrics & Gynecology Research Network at the University of Utah provides support in composing and submitting IRB applications and grant proposals. Many projects are internally funded, and fellows are encouraged to apply for external funding as applicable. Those who choose to may earn the Masters of Science in Clinical Investigation through the University of Utah.
Recent fellow theses include:
- Sperm epigenetics in recurrent pregnancy loss (Dr. Yetunde Ibrahim)
- Transgenerational effects of chemotherapy (Dr. Biren Patel)
- Adolescent body mass index (BMI) of offspring conceived to subfertile couples: does route of conception matter? (Dr. Megan Link)
- Germline gene packaging: characterization and consequences (Dr. Jessie Dorais)
- Comparative analysis of human CYP3A4 and rat CYP3A1 induction and relevant gene expression by bisphenol A and diethylstilbestrol: Implications for toxicity testing paradigms (Dr. Oumar Kuzbari)
The third year of the REI fellowship includes 6 months of research, and 6 months of elective time, divided into alternating 2 month blocks. This research schedule is designed to assure completion and submission of the thesis by the end of fellowship. Fellows participate in longitudinal clinical experiences in medical endocrinology and pediatric endocrinology during the third year. Elective time options include ART, research, male fertility, oncofertility, transgender medicine, and surgery, and is designed to be customized for each individual fellow.
Didactic Curriculum
Our fellowship curriculum includes weekly didactic sessions led by the faculty with topics based on the REI Guide to Learning as published by ABOG. Additionally, fellows participate in selected didactics and interdisciplinary case conferences with pediatric and medical endocrinology. We hold monthly journal clubs to discuss innovative and important basic science and clinical papers as a division, and also participate in joint journal clubs with other divisions including Maternal Fetal Medicine. Our division has lead a Fertility and Sterility Journal Club Live:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKjGv35448I
Fellows attend the ASRM Annual Meeting in the second and third years, the SREI Fellows’ Symposium in the first and third years, and one additional conference in most years. We sponsor each fellow to attend the Excellence in Clinical Research Course.
