Under the directorship of Gary Gaddis, MD, PhD, FACEP, the course has evolved by incorporating a flipped-classroom format designed to optimize in-person time and better suit today’s learners. Reduced from the original 11 days to three, the fall session places increased emphasis on interactive discussions and practical exercises. Attendees review a repository of online content before the in-person sessions, allowing more time to workshop their research ideas with faculty and peers.

This year, Research Academy Session I is set for Sept. 5-6 to coincide with ACEP25 in Salt Lake City. Session II will be April 23-26 at ACEP’s headquarters in Irving, Texas.

“With feedback and reflection on our previous format, we redeveloped the course to incorporate leading educational strategies, emphasize the most critical content for early career and research project success, and reduce the cost and time needed away from home,” said Martin Wegman, MD, PhD, FACEP. Mr. Wegman is ACEP’s Senior Research Fellow and staff leader for the course.

The ACEP Research Academy is also entering a new era of leadership. Dr. Gaddis, who succeeded Dr. Panacek as Course Director in 2017, will soon pass the torch to its third course director, Alexander Limkakeng, MD, MHSc, FACEP. As an alumnus of the course, Dr. Limkakeng brings first-hand knowledge of the student experience and a passion for teaching.

“When I got the call from ACEP to be an instructor for Research Academy, I felt like I was entering ‘Top Gun,’” Dr. Limkakeng said. “These faculty are world-class academicians, and I am honored to be included among them. As course director, my goal is to not only continue teaching research fundamentals, but to also continuously improve and adapt the curriculum to the diverse interests of our students.”

In balancing continuity and change, Dr. Panacek and Dr. Gaddis will continue as faculty for the course.

Dr. Gaddis will remain as the primary statistics instructor, while Dr. Panacek continues to give an interactive introduction to developing research questions and hypotheses.

Broad Appeal

Dr. Limkakeng emphasized the course’s broad appeal.

“Whether you aspire to become an NIH-funded researcher or you just want to better understand the latest medical literature to improve your clinical practice, Research Academy is for you,” Dr. Limkakeng said. “Past attendees range from clinicians focused on bettering their patient care to department leaders seeking to integrate research into their work. Others are residency program leaders seeking to better mentor their students and residents.