UCSD CTRI CREST/MAS
PROGRAM
RAVINDRA L MEHTA MD, FACP, FRCP
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
CREST / MAS Program
Objectives



Provide training in the methods and techniques of
clinical research including patient oriented
research, epidemiology and outcomes research;
Develop an institutional environment for improved
interaction of trainees with established clinical
investigators to foster mentoring and career
development;
Provide a Masters degree program in Clinical
Research in collaboration with UCSD Division of
Extended Studies
CREST Program Design:
Broad based curriculum in clinical research methodology


Can be completed in 1-3 years;
Comprised of eight modules which
are:
 given over one academic quarter
each,
 comprised of 10, two-hour,
weekly periods of instruction in
the early evening (4-6)
 a combination of lectures, group
discussions, papers and
computer-based training.




Integrates didactic information with
practical training
Accommodates students’ varying
needs by using a modular approach
to instruction, a part-time year-round
schedule, and a flexible approach to
self-directed learning
Facilitates interaction among
program participants and
experienced investigators
Links the academic, scientific, and
practitioner communities
CREST is a non-credit ,grant-supported training program which provides
the foundation “core” curriculum for the MAS-CR program (36 Units)
CREST/MAS
Program Design: Courses
CREST
Basic Modules (Yr 1)

Epidemiology I

Epidemiology II

Patient Oriented Research I

Patient Oriented Research II

Prof development module 1
Advanced Modules (Yr 2)

Biostatistics I

Biostatistics II

Outcomes Research & HSRD

Data Mgmt & Informatics

Prof development module 2/3
MAS
The MAS degree in Clinical
Research consists of 36 quarter units



18 units of core (CREST) courses
4 units of professional development
seminars
2 units of Mentorship and Career
Planning module

4 units of advanced statistics

4 units of an independent study project

4 units of electives
Curriculum 2010-2011
CLINICAL RESEARCH
PROPOSED PROGRAM CURRICULUM 2010-11
COURSE
CRSE #
YEAR
FACULTY
20
WI
SP
SU
FA
Ravindra Mehta, MD
(faculty of record)
2
X
X
X
X
X
CORE COURSES
UNITS
Mentorship and Career Planning for
Clinical Research Professionals
CLRE-299
1
Epidemiology I
CLRE-251
1
Deborah Wingard, PhD
2
Epidemiology II
CLRE-257
1
Deborah L. Wingard, PhD
2
Patient- Oriented Research I
CLRE-250
1
J. Allen McCutchan, MD
2
Patient-Oriented Research II
CLRE-256
1
J. Allen McCutchan, MD
2
Scientific Communication Skills
CLRE-259
1
Gerry Boss, MD
2
Biostatistics I
CLRE-253
2
Florin Vaida, PhD
2
Biostatistics II
CLRE-254
2
Florin Vaida, PhD
2
Health Services Research
CLRE-252
2
Theodore Ganiats, MD
2
Data Management/Informatics
CLRE-255
2
Joe Ramsdell, MD
2
Professional Development Seminars (required to take two times for credit)
Professional Development Seminar
*Electives: Biostatistics
CLRE-258
1 and 2
Ravindra Mehta, MD
(faculty of record)
QUARTER OFFERED
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
4
2
X
X
4
(must take a minimum of 4 units)
Analyzing Medical Data Using R
CLRE-262
2
Florin Vaida, PhD
2
Longitudinal Data Analysis
CLRE-263
2
Florin Vaida, PhD
2
X
3
X
Bioinformatics Applications to Human
Disease
MED-263
2
S. Kosakovsky Pond, MD
C. Woelk, MD
Clinical Decision Analysis
CLRE-264
2
Theodore Ganiats, MD
2
Principles of Biomedical Informatics
MED-264
3
L. Ohno-Machado, MD
3
Advanced Regression Models
CLRE-265
2
Florin Vaida, PhD
*Electives: General
Varies
1 and 2
Independent Study Project
CLRE-298
Final quarter
X
X
X
2
X (2011)
4
(must take a minimum of 4 units)
Refer to General Elective Course List.
X
Varies
ISP Advisory Committee
Total units for degree:
Varies
X
X
X
X
4
X
X
X
X
36
Course Evaluations



Each lecture, module is evaluated by students
Mean course evaluations have ranged from 4.5-4.8
on a scale of 1(worst) to 5 (best)
Feedback from students is:
 provided
to lecturers and module directors and
 reviewed on an ongoing basis
 utilized to modify program content and delivery
Description of CREST/MAS Students

Enrollment (total = 516)



Courses taken: 237 Trk II, 153 Trk I, &
126 MAS students enrolled
Degrees at entry: 371 MD, 104
BS/BA/BSN, 30 PhD, 11 Pharm D
Academic status: 275 Post grads, 87
faculty, 152 other
Education and Occupation of CREST - MAS 49
Students Matriculated in 2009-2010
Education
MD
MD/PhD
PhD
PharmD
MS/MA
BS/BA
Medical Student
Total
8
1
0
2
1
22
15
49
Occupation
Physician
Medical Student
Other Student
Industry
Research Scientist
Nurse
Physical Therapist
Dentist
Total
8
15
0
22
3
1
0
0
49
Accomplishments of CREST/MAS
Students

Accomplishments




150 received CREST Certificates
99 received MAS-CR Degrees
51 have publications
35 have grant support
Challenges and Plans
Challenges


Dedicated Space to house program
Program Growth and Diversity of
students

Faculty expansion

Elective Modules
Plans

Telemedicine Building

ECOB

Distance learning

Pathways

Faculty recruitment and training


Mentoring

Cross CTSA collaborations
Creation of Global health, Medical
informatics, translational research modules

Expanded pool of mentors

UC Irvine, Scripps
Faculty Program Directors
 Ravi
Mehta, M.D., FACP., Professor of Clinical Medicine,
UCSD; Program Director
 Gerry
Boss, M.D., Professor of Medicine, UCSD; Associate
Program Director for Physician Scientist Track, Director
of Scientific Writing Course
 Allen
McCutchan, M.D., MSc Professor of Medicine
Emeritus, UCSD. Associate Program Director for Clinician
Investigator Track, Director of POR I and I
Core Course Directors

Ted Ganiats, M.D., Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine, Director
of Outcome Research

Sue Lindsay, PhD, Assistant Professor of Epidemiology, San Diego State
University, Director of Online Epidemiology

Sheldon Morris, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Division of
Infectious Diseases, UCSD, Co-Director of POR I and II

Joe Ramsdell, M.D., Professor of Medicine, UCSD, Chief of Division of
General Internal Medicine, Director of Informatics and Data Management

Florin Vaida, Ph.D., Associate Professor, UCSD School of Medicine, Director
of Biostatistics I and II

Deborah Wingard, Ph.D., Professor of Family and Preventive Medicine,
UCSD; Director of Epidemiology I and II
Program Administrators




Bruce Dunn, Associate Dean, Executive and Degree-Related Programs, UCSD
Extension
Maureen Eijsermans, Manager and Graduate Coordinator, Office of Advanced
Professional Education and Development, UCSD Extension
Jan Keane, Marketing Coordinator, MAS Degree Programs, Office of Advanced
Professional Education and Development, UCSD Extension
Krisztina Hershon, Program Coordinator, MAS Clinical Research, Office of Advanced
Professional Education and Development, UCSD Extension

Seble Chernet, Academic Coordinator CREST Program, UCSD

Elizabeth Meyer, Director, OnLine Learning, UCSD Extension

Grace Miller, Director, Healthcare Education Department, UCSD Extension