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Center for Surgical Training & Research (CSTAR) Fellowship

The Center for Surgical Training and Research (CSTAR) in the U-M Medical School Department of Surgery has a 1- and 2-year surgical education research fellowship.

For More Information
Program Overview

CSTAR fellows are passionate about surgical education research. In this fellowship, trainees will gain the ability to become independent surgical education investigators by intensive mentorship by CSTAR faculty and project-based learning on high-impact research projects.

Our researchers combine the best in traditional educational work (assessment, curriculum development, recruitment, leadership development, and faculty development) as well as several new, cross-disciplinary programs that:

  • Bridge the gap between surgical education research and health services research
  • Address issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion in surgical education
  • Apply improvement science methodologies to develop new national evidence-based standards for surgical training
How to Apply

Our next fellowship opening will be for 2026, and applications will open in summer 2025.

Contact Us

Please email the CSTAR Fellowship with any questions.

Curriculum

During their CSTAR Fellowship, fellows will be immersed in the methods, challenges, and opportunities for the surgical education field. They will learn through the practical experience of working on multiple high-impact surgical education research projects. In addition, they will participate in both group and one-on-one coaching sessions on topics related to surgical education research. Most fellows also pursue a Masters in Health Professions Education or related degree.

Research & Academic Opportunities

Center for Surgical Training and Research researchers are uniquely positioned for high-impact work thanks to internal and external grant support and an all-star cast of mentors and staff. Furthermore, all CSTAR researchers, including CSTAR fellows, have unique access to multiple sources of learner and patient data not found at any other institution.

Program Leadership
See all Surgery faculty Gurjit Sandhu Gurjit Sandhu, PhD
Professor of Surgery
Professor of Learning Health Sciences
Current Fellows
Jamie Picard Jamila Picart, MD
General Surgery Residency & CSTAR Fellowship
Alexandra Theall Alexandra C.P. Theall
MD/MHPE Candidate, U-M Medical School
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