UF Rhinology Clinical and Translational Research Fellowship

2024-2025 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

University of Florida Department of Otolaryngology has an established 1-year fellowship for medical students interested in Rhinology and pursuing residency training in Otolaryngology. The fellowship’s goal is to offer robust clinical research training, grow foundational knowledge, and provide career development and mentorship for the fellows. 

Fellows will have the opportunity to collaborate on clinical and translational, and basic science projects funded by the NIH and industry partners. Research topics include etiology and biomarkers of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), olfactory loss, outcomes in endoscopic skull base surgery and orbital surgery, hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), sinonasal tumors, among others. Projects will depend on the fellow’s interest and may include a combination of prospective and retrospective clinical research, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, innovative clinical techniques, as well as translational and basic science laboratory research. Additionally, the fellows will have exposure to the UF Otolaryngology residents and didactic lectures. This position will also include ample shadowing opportunities in the OR and clinic and a formal mentorship and career development curriculum.  Training in resident interview preparation and opportunities for mock interviews with ENT faculty will be provided.  

CORE FELLOWSHIP FACULTY

Fellows will work directly with 3 fellowship-trained rhinologists and skull base surgeons, as well as a basic/translational research scientist Jennifer Mulligan, PhD who is a nationally recognized expert in CRS research. Dr. Mulligan also brings with her over 10 years of experience in mentoring research fellowships both at MUSC and now in her third year at UF. She is a rhinology fellowship co-director with Dr. Nikita Chapurin. 

Nikita Chapurin
Department: MD-OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Nikita Chapurin MD, MHS

Assistant Professor, Division Of Rhinology & Skull Base Surgery
Phone: (352) 273-5199
Jennifer K Mulligan
Department: MD-OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Jennifer K Mulligan PhD

Associate Professor
Phone: (352) 273-8737
Jeb M Justice
Department: MD-OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Jeb M Justice MD

Associate Professor, Chief, Division Of Rhinology & Skull Base Surgery, Associate Residency Program Director, APP Director
Phone: (352) 273-5199
Brian C Lobo
Department: MD-OTOLARYNGOLOGY

Brian C Lobo MD

Assistant Professor, Division Of Rhinology & Skull Base Surgery, Associate Chief Medical Informatics Officer UF Health
Phone: (352) 265-9465

Mulligan Lab: https://ent.ufl.edu/mulligan-lab/ 

Opportunities to collaborate with other basic science laboratories may be provided and include: 

Carl Atkinson, PhD – Transplant immunology, complement biology, innate immunity 

Reza Forghani MD, PhD- Radiomics and augmented intelligence laboratory  

Frank Bova, PhD – Neurosurgery, radiosurgery biology laboratory

ELIGIBILITY

  • The ideal candidates would be a medical student between 3rd & 4th year of medical school who are interested in pursuing Otolaryngology as a career, as well as recent medical school graduates seeking to improve their research experience while preparing to apply to an Otolaryngology residency program. 
  • Candidates must come from U.S. accredited allopathic and osteopathic medical schools and have valid work authorization.  

APPLICATION PROCESS AND BENEFITS

Applicants should submit the following to Dr. Nikita Chapurin:  

  • Copy of curriculum vitae  
  • Personal statement describing interest in the position  
  • 3 letters of recommendation  

nikita.chapurin@ent.ufl.edu  

Candidates will receive a $30,000 salary. Additional information about benefits can be found at https://hr.ufl.edu/benefits.  Funds will be provided to attend and present research findings at national conferences.  

Application Deadline: The position has been filled for the 2024-2025 cycle.  

Fellowship start date: June or July, 2024  


CURRENT FELLOWS

Eunice Im

Eunice Y. Im 

Undergraduate: University of California, Los Angeles 

Medical School: Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine 

Why UF Rhinology Research Fellowship: “I chose the UF Rhinology Research Fellowship because it presented the opportunity for me to deepen my medical knowledge and develop research skills under the guidance of an accomplished multi-disciplinary department committed to improving the lives of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. The faculty’s investment in fellows beyond the lab and clinic through individualized mentoring and shadowing experiences was another extremely attractive feature of the fellowship.” 


Patel

Anil Patel 

Undergraduate: University of Florida  

Medical School: Florida State University

Why UF Rhinology Research Fellowship: “I chose the UF Rhinology Research fellowship because I knew I will expand my knowledge of ENT as a field immensely. This will be accomplished by working with a highly motivated group that will provide valuable mentorship and guidance. On a personal note, as a Florida native I also welcomed the opportunity to be near family and enjoy what the area of Gainesville has to offer. Overall, I saw it as an opportunity in becoming a well-rounded ENT physician that I aspire to be.” 



INCOMING FELLOWS

Avi Adelman

Avraham (Avi) Adelman

Undergraduate: Florida Atlantic University  

Medical School: Florida Atlantic University, Schmidt College of Medicine 

Why UF Rhinology Research Fellowship: “I chose the UF Rhinology Research Fellowship because I knew that engaging in a variety of basic and clinical research studies with passionate experts in the field would be a unique opportunity to expand my research skills. I was attracted to the dedicated efforts toward mentorship, as I can tell that the faculty is genuinely invested in the long-term success of the fellows, even beyond the research itself. I have also been very interested in rhinology ever since I was a scribe and medical assistant before medical school in an otolaryngology practice that had a surgical focus on sinus and ear surgeries!”


Young Lee

Young Lee

Undergraduate/Graduate: University of Michigan

Medical School: Central Michigan University College of Medicine

Why UF Rhinology Research Fellowship: “I chose the UF Rhinology Research Fellowship because I felt like it was an environment in which I could thrive and emerge as a stronger researcher with a deeper understanding of otolaryngology. The renowned research and clinical expertise alongside a motivated, tight-knit faculty community invested in my personal growth seemed like the perfect opportunity. I look forward to embarking on this journey and maximizing its potential!”


PHILANTHROPY

Please consider supporting our scholars and the fellowship. This can be done by contributing to an already existing philanthropy fund listed below or a separate fund may be created by contacting Benjamin Valentine, PhD, Director of Development – UF Health Shands. (valebe@shands.ufl.edu)