The fellowship has a strong research component. We participate in many clinical trials of new agents or new approaches to multiple sclerosis, including trials of disease-modifying agents for various forms of MS and clinically isolated syndrome, as well as trials of symptomatic therapies and treatment of acute exacerbations. Not only do we take part in multi-center clinical trials, but we also design and implement major studies and serve as the coordinating center for several more.
By working on a clinical trial, fellows learn all aspects of clinical trial design, implementation, and analysis. You gain an understanding of the regulatory requirements of clinical trials (e.g., interactions with the Institutional Review Board, obtaining an investigational new drug exemption from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and have direct experience using the Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale, the Multiple Sclerosis Functional Composite, and other scales often required by various protocols. You can expect to work with clinical trial coordinators and three monitors who comprise our clinical research team.
While this is a clinical fellowship, you do have access to neuroimmunology and glial cell basic science laboratories at The Mount Sinai Hospital, including those of Drs. Sam Horng and Patrizia Casaccia, both of whom have appointments within the Corinne Goldsmith Dickinson Center. Fellows acquire a thorough grounding in the basic neuroscience of demyelinating disease and a framework for translating basic science insights into clinical paradigms.
In addition, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai now has a program leading to a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research that is available to MS Fellows as part of the Clinical Curriculum Research Training Grant.