Georgetown University and The Michael J. Fox Foundation offer fellowship in regulatory science

Georgetown University Medical Center and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research announce a fellowship in regulatory science that will promote postgraduate training in the Parkinson's research field to optimize clinical trial design and support approval of novel therapies.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) will fund a fellowship through Georgetown's Program for Regulatory Science & Medicine for one postgraduate researcher who will work with mentors from academia, industry and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate an aspect of Parkinson's research design.

"While momentum grows in improved understanding of Parkinson's dysfunction and in drug development, it is important to keep pace in regulatory science," said MJFF CEO Todd Sherer, PhD. "New treatments addressing unmet symptoms and integration of technology in clinical trials present opportunity for coordination with regulators to advance these programs."

Regulatory science generates and makes use of evidence-based knowledge to inform decision-making about the safety and benefits of medical products and comprises an emerging, specialized and interdisciplinary field of biomedical research and education.

"This is an important, burgeoning field that advances science and medicine, a reflection of the continuum upon which scientific discovery is made and translated," said Erin Wilhelm, MPH, executive director of the Program for Regulatory Science & Medicine. "Support from organizations such as The Michael J. Fox Foundation for mentored training opportunities is critical to prepare tomorrow's disease specialists."

Ira Shoulson, MD, professor of neurology, pharmacology and human science and director of the Program for Regulatory Science and Medicine at Georgetown University, and member of the MJFF Executive Scientific Advisory Board, will serve as academic mentor for this fellow.

"The pace of Parkinson's innovation is invigorating, but we need to tailor our studies for optimal proof of concept and efficacy testing. Guidance from across academia, industry and the FDA will build a platform for this fellow to shape the direction of research," said Shoulson.

Applications for the regulatory science fellowship are due Friday, July 29, 2016, and the fellowship Leadership and Advisory Committee composed of representatives from Georgetown, MJFF and FDA will choose a fellow by Friday, September 2, 2016. The first term will begin in October 2016 with a one-year term, with possibility for renewal. The fellow will receive up to two years of salary support and research stipends.

To learn more about the program or to apply, visit http://regulatoryscience.georgetown.edu/RS-fellowship or email questions to regulatoryscience@georgetown.edu.

Provided by Georgetown University Medical Center