Research opportunities are provided throughout residency. However, during the PGY-3 year, a protected three-month block is dedicated to research. The research rotation is administrated by the Resident Research Committee, chaired by Bryan Vopat, M.D. Residents are encouraged to start thinking about their research during the PGY-2 year and complete all research online training before starting their official rotation.  Residents are typically paired with a medical student interested in orthopedic research to help with data collection and manuscript writing.  This partnership also serves to develop mentorship abilities in our residents. Biomechanical or anatomic research is performed in the Orthopedic Research and Education Center, directed by Terence McIff, MBA, Ph.D.  Basic science research is conducted in the Harrington Laboratory for Molecular Orthopedics, directed by Jinxi Wang, M.D., Ph.D. Residents may also participate in clinical research with any one of the clinical faculty. Residents are required to publish a minimum of one manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal and are encouraged to present at local, regional, and national meetings.

PGY-5 residents present their research each year at our annual Leonard F. Peltier, M.D., Ph.D. Lectureship. The program includes a nationally known guest lecturer and case presentations by the PGY-3 and PGY-4 residents. Faculty, alumni, and community physicians are in attendance.

The Betty & Federico Adler Research Award

In 2007, Dr. Federico Adler established the Betty & Federico Adler Resident Award Fund the through the KU Endowment Association. The fund provides an annual award to recognize outstanding medical research performed by a resident who conducted original research or made original contributions to ongoing research in the field of orthopedic medicine. The award is presented each year at the department's graduation ceremony.