Q & A with Lea Michel

 

What collaborations do you have with clinicians and/or healthcare organizations?

RGH Research Institute; University of Rochester, Strong Hospital

What was the clinical collaborator’s role in your research effort?

RGH: animal models, mentoring, research collaboration, and manuscript writing

UR: clinical samples, clinical advice and guidance

Collaboration Cycle: Initiation

How did you find your clinical collaborators, and what was the process for starting your collaboration?

I was introduced to my collaborators through mutual connections. A friend and colleague introduced me to the PI (Michael Pichichero) at RGH, and David Bond introduced me to the PI at UR (Anthony Pietropaoli).

What challenges have you encountered that may hinder or significantly delay the initiation of the clinical collaboration once interest is established on both ends?

Time and distance have been challenges, as well as occasional disagreements on IP.

Do you have any additional comments for this stage of the collaboration cycle?

I am happy to meet with anyone who needs advice on establishing clinical collaborations!

Collaboration Cycle: Exploration/Feasibility

Did you need to start a feasibility study with your clinical collaborator without having funding secured?

Yes, I did for RGH. For UR, the PI was willing to provide samples before we were funded, but a grant proposal was promised.

What resources did you leverage to support this phase of collaborative research with your clinical partner?

Just person/student-power and a commitment to do the work.

Collaboration Cycle: Execution

How long have you been working with your clinical partners?

I have been working with RGH for 16 years, and UR for 4 years.

How do you communicate with your clinical collaborators before and during the project?

We communicate via emails, in person meetings, and Zoom meetings.

What issues have you faced during the collaboration process, and how did you resolve them?

We have faced personality conflicts; they were resolved in the normal ways that those types of conflicts are.

Collaboration Cycle: Evolution

What were the results of your clinical collaborations?

Papers, grants, patents, and conference presentations

How do you continue the collaboration or stay in touch for future projects?

We stay in touch via email.

Have you encountered challenges related to IP, credit, etc. in the dissemination of your results?

Yes