Last week, five female scientists from the Medical University of Bialystok (MUB) received their diplomas from the prestigious Poland Clinical Scholars Research Training Program, organised by Harvard Medical School. This was the first edition of the programme, which lasted a total of 12 months. Classes were held in Warsaw and Boston.
More than 1,000 applications for the programme, only 100 places
Our female scientists' applications were selected from over 1,000 submissions. The programme included lectures, webinars and interactive onsite workshops with a group of 100 researchers from across Poland.
The Poland Clinical Scholars Research Training Programme, conducted under the guidance of world-class experts, aimed to develop the skills of Polish researchers in designing and conducting observational and experimental research studies as well as analysing, interpreting and presenting clinical trials and producing high-quality publications. Training courses covered molecular medicine, biostatistics, data analysis and soft skills.
The Poland Clinical Scholars Research Training Programme, conducted under the guidance of world-class experts, aimed to develop the skills of Polish researchers in designing and conducting observational and experimental research studies as well as analysing, interpreting and presenting clinical trials and producing high-quality publications. Training courses covered molecular medicine, biostatistics, data analysis and soft skills.
Prestigious certificates for MUB female scientists
In addition to lectures and webinars, stationary four-day workshops led by experts from Harvard Medical School were held. The first two meetings were held in Warsaw on 24 - 27 October 2023 and 9 - 12 April 2024. The culmination of the first edition of the Polish Clinical Scholars Research Training programme was a workshop in Boston on 6 - 9 October 2024, culminating in a certificate ceremony.
On 9 October, the prestigious certificates were received by MUB female researchers at the Harvard Medical School headquarters in Boston:
On 9 October, the prestigious certificates were received by MUB female researchers at the Harvard Medical School headquarters in Boston:
- Katarzyna Kapica-Topczewska, PhD (Department of Neurology)
- Julia Nowowiejska, PhD (Department of Dermatology and Venereology)
- Karolina Chwiałkowska, PhD (Centre for Bioinformatics and Data Analysis)
- Katarzyna Kakareko, PhD (2nd Department of Nephrology, Hypertension and Internal Medicine with Dialysis Unit )
- Anna Krentowska, PhD (Department of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases)
According to Katarzyna Kapica-Topczewska, PhD, from the Department of Neurology, the programme was extremely valuable in terms of content.
A unique community
I certainly deepened my knowledge of clinical trial methodology, statistics and epidemiology, as well as of study design or presenting analysis of results. But it was the people who were the greatest value of this course - the 100 Polish researchers who were extremely friendly, willing to cooperate and share experiences. We inspired, taught and supported each other. I can confidently say that this programme has created a unique community, focused on improving the research process and knowledge exchange,' summarised Dr Katarzyna Kapica-Topczewska on her participation in the programme.
Dr Anna Krentowska from the Department of Internal Medicine and Metabolic Diseases, also a participant in the programme, emphasises two key aspects in her summary:
'The first is the scientific part, that is, what we gained in terms of our research tools - comprehensive knowledge on how to prepare clinical trials from A to Z, in such a way that they are designed, conducted and presented at the highest world level. And the second, is a great adventure. Staying at the legendary Harvard Medical School was like a dream come true. I never imagined that I would get my postgraduate degree from Harvard and receive it in this amazing place. An adventure of a lifetime and amazing, substantive, extremely useful knowledge. This is how I will remember this programme,’ she added.
'The first is the scientific part, that is, what we gained in terms of our research tools - comprehensive knowledge on how to prepare clinical trials from A to Z, in such a way that they are designed, conducted and presented at the highest world level. And the second, is a great adventure. Staying at the legendary Harvard Medical School was like a dream come true. I never imagined that I would get my postgraduate degree from Harvard and receive it in this amazing place. An adventure of a lifetime and amazing, substantive, extremely useful knowledge. This is how I will remember this programme,’ she added.
The next edition of the programme starts this autumn.
More information on: https://postgraduateeducation.hms.harvard.edu/p-csrt
