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Forward2026 Surgery Grand Rounds | Find Your Research Niche and Make an Impact
Many early-career surgeons operate under the current practice of broad clinical productivity, often engaging in disparate research projects that lack a cohesive theme or long-term strategic direction. The ideal practice involves identifying a specific, unmet need in surgical science—a niche—where a clinician can concentrate their expertise to move the needle on patient outcomes and policy. The fundamental knowledge deficit lies in the failure to recognize that a focused, deep expertise in one specialized area often yields a far greater professional impact and academic longevity than being a generalist in the research space.
This activity is necessary because the landscape of academic surgery is increasingly competitive, requiring surgeon-scientists to bridge the divide between clinical demands and the rigorous requirements for external funding and high-impact publication. The gap exists due to a systemic lack of formal mentorship on the "business" of academic strategy, where trainees are often taught how to operate and write papers, but rarely how to curate a longitudinal research program that is scalable and enduring. Consequently, many clinicians remain in a reactive state—pursuing available data rather than driving a specific scientific narrative—which hinders their ability to become nationally recognized authorities in their field.
Target Audience
The activity content is oriented to guide surgeons, surgical trainees, and scientists that are trying to establish a research program.
Learning Objectives
- Participants will be able to articulate the characteristics of a high-impact research niche and identify specific unmet needs within their clinical specialty that are opportunities for academic exploration.
- Learners will evaluate the differences between broad clinical data reporting and theme-based, longitudinal scientific inquiry to prioritize projects with the highest potential for academic longevity and scientific impact.
- Attendees will develop a strategic framework for transitioning from descriptive research to mechanistic or translational studies that are competitive for specialty society grants and NIH-level funding.
- Participants will formulate a plan to leverage their specialized expertise to establish a national reputation, focusing on how a concentrated research focus leads to leadership roles and influential policy contributions.
- Discuss possible barriers and biases which may impact patient care (i.e., race, ethnicity, language, gender identity/orientation, age, socioeconomic status, attitudes, feelings, or other characteristics).
Virtual Meeting- Zoom
Jason K. Sicklick, MD, FACS, FSSO Professor of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology; Executive Vice Chair of Research, Department of Surgery; Co-Leader, Structural and Functional Genomics Program, Moores Cancer Center; Co-Leader, Sarcoma Disease Team, Moores Cancer Center; UC San Diego Health, UC San Diego School of Medicine
Presenter: Dr. Sicklick has indicated that there are no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies.
Planner: Yuman Fong, MD has indicated the following relevant financial relationships:Consultant for Eureka, Imugene, Medtronics, Theromics, Vergent Bioscience and XDemics; Stock/Shareholder (publicly owned companies) of Imugene, Iovance, and XDemics; Other financial/material interests (royalties) in Imugene and XDemics.
The educational content has been peer-reviewed, an attestation on file and no conflicts were noted
CME Committee/Reviewer no relevant financial relationships: Daneng Li, MD
ACCREDITATION STATEMENT: City of Hope is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
CREDIT DESIGNATION: City of Hope designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Successful completion of this CME activity enables the learner to earn credit toward the CME requirement of the American Board of Surgery's Continuous Certification program. It is the CME activity provider’s responsibility to submit learner completion information to ACCME for the purpose of granting ABS credit.
The following credit type(s) are being offered for this course:
• AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ 1.0
The following may apply AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for license renewal:
Registered Nurses: Nurses may report up to 1.0 credit hours toward the continuing education requirements for license renewal by their state Board of Registered Nurses (BRN). AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ may be noted on the license renewal application in lieu of a BRN provider number.
Physician Assistants: The National Commission on Certification of Physicians Assistants states that AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ accredited courses are acceptable for CME requirements for recertification.
Available Credit
- 1.00 ABS Accredited CME
- 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™City of Hope is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
City of Hope designates this 2026 Surgery Grand Rounds | Find Your Research Niche and Make an Impact for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ requirements. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. - 1.00 Attendance