EyeSTAR Genetics
New EyeSTAR Track Combines Ophthalmology Residency with Medical Genetics Certification
In a national first, the UCLA Department of Ophthalmology is introducing a Medical Genetics track to the Stein Eye Institute’s Specialty Training and Advanced Research (EyeSTAR) program. This new track offers ophthalmology residency training in tandem with training by the UCLA Intercampus Medical Genetics Training Program leading to Clinical Genetics and Genomics certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics.
Understanding how variations in an individual’s DNA may affect disease and health is the underpinning of medical genetics. With this knowledge, clinician-scientists can propel innovations in the diagnosis and detection of disease, as well as new approaches to treatment.
Founded in 1995, EyeSTAR continues to lead the nation in offering a combined ophthalmology residency training integrated with basic-science PhD training or post-doctoral fellowship research. EyeSTAR provides crucial training for residents aspiring to academic careers that incorporate clinical practice and research. The EyeSTAR Committee is chaired by Joseph L. Demer, MD, PhD, Arthur L. Rosenbaum, MD, Chair in Pediatric Ophthalmology.
The UCLA EyeSTAR track in Medical Genetics addresses a critical for clinicians and clinician-scientists at academic centers who have strong foundations in both clinical ophthalmology and genetics. The groundbreaking Medical Genetics track includes an understanding of modern molecular genetic diagnostics, clinical evaluations in adults and children, therapeutics, and research.
UCLA’s Ophthalmology Residency Program encompasses a full breadth of instruction from general ophthalmology to ophthalmic subspecialties, and it is one of the top programs in the country. Its innovative EyeSTAR component is unique in the nation and recognized by the National Eye Institute and the Association of University Professors of Ophthalmology as a model training program for clinician scientists in ophthalmology.
EyeSTAR training is intended for ophthalmic physician scientists or geneticists who are interested in academic careers.
The Specialty Training and Advanced Research in Ophthalmology and Visual Science (EyeSTAR) program combines clinical ophthalmic practice with basic science or ophthalmic genetic research. This unique educational opportunity is intended for physicians who are committed to academic careers in ophthalmology, blending basic science or genetics with clinical practice in a 7-year curriculum. Trainees select their faculty mentors and laboratories or research groups from a wide range of participants throughout the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine including the Intercampus Medical Genetics Training Program, the UCLA College of Letters and Science, the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and the independent Pardee RAND Graduate School. The EyeSTAR program assists trainees in obtaining admission to degree programs or the Intercampus Medical Genetics Training Program. The EyeSTAR program pays all costs of trainees’ salaries, fringe benefits, and university tuition/fees. Salary and benefits are set to parity with level of PGY training completed.
The EyeSTAR curriculum blends laboratory research, graduate courses if not already completed, and ophthalmic clinical training; clinical genetics training is included for the genetics track.
Year 1. All tracks.
The first year of all tracks in the curriculum is the PGY-1 training year in Internal Medicine at UCLA, but with four elective months assigned to the ophthalmology service of a UCLA-affiliated public hospital. Trainees will attend Ophthalmology Department lectures and teaching functions only as time otherwise permits during ophthalmology elective assignments.
Years 2 – 4.
All tracks will attend Ophthalmology weekly clinical conferences and major lectures, including the Annual Seminar and annual weekend research retreat. All tracks will spend one half day weekly in an Ophthalmology clinical experience of the candidate’s choice, flexibly-scheduled to avoid conflict with classes or time-critical research activities. There will be no clinical call or service obligations during this time.
A. Ph.D. curriculum for trainees obtaining this degree. Graduate courses and research in the laboratory of the doctoral thesis adviser.
B. Post-Ph.D. fellowship curriculum. Post-doctoral research in the laboratory of the research mentor or mentors. Optional courses if desired.
C. Genetics curriculum. Course work in the UCLA Intercampus Medical Genetics Training Program (https://intercampus.genetics.ucla.edu/) providing eligibility for board certification by the American Board of Medical Genetics and Genomics in Clinical Genetics and Genomics.
Years 5 – 7.
All tracks will complete PGY2 – 4 of the UCLA Stein Eye Institute Ophthalmology residency, with clinical and surgical duties identical to all other residents in the program, including call rotations leading to eligibility for board-certification by the American Board of Ophthalmology. Trainees may continue or initiate limited research projects as their interests and time may permit, but must attend the annual weekend research retreat.
Each trainee’s educational course is individualized depending on his or her background, interests, and needs. The goal of the program is to generate leaders in ophthalmology who are investigators as well as practitioners—physicians who are as comfortable at the laboratory bench as in the examining lane or operating room. Alumni of the EyeSTAR program now hold endowed professorships in major academic departments on both coasts.
Applicants to the EyeSTAR Program must apply through SF Match and submit a supplemental EyeSTAR Program Application along with three (3) EyeSTAR Program Evaluation Forms and letters of recommendation. These should be sent directly to the Stein Eye Institute EyeSTAR Program following the instructions on the forms. The program administrator must receive all supplemental application materials by September 30. (link to supplemental application)
EyeSTAR Program Information
Yolanda McNair, Program Administrator
Phone: (310) 825-5931
[email protected]
To learn more about the UCLA Intercampus Medical Genetics Training Program, visit our website.