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CF Scholars Program

Emory+Children’s Cystic Fibrosis Center of Excellence (CF@LANTA)

The goal of the CF Scholars Program is to recruit, educate, and mentor pre-doctoral and post-doctoral researchers and clinicians to become the next generation of academicians in cystic fibrosis research. By the completion of this program, participants should have gained an increased understanding of CF and how to perform team science, enhanced their communication skills, and become patient and scientific advocates. The program includes in-depth and frequent interactions between CF clinicians and CF scientists so the trainee will be educated on the important role each plays in the lives of the CF patient and their family. The CF Scholars Program is headed by directors Joanna Goldberg, PhD, Nael McCarty, PhD, Benjamin Kopp, MD, MPH, and Rachel Linnemann, MD.

To learn more about CF Scholars see this document.

To apply see this document. Applications due July 12, 2023, 5 PM.

Who are CF Scholars?

All trainees with a CFF Fellowship, including Pediatric Pulmonary or Adult Pulmonary Fellows or Postdoctoral Fellows.

  • CFF-funded trainees should submit their Curriculum Vitae to indicate their plan to participate in CF Scholars.

Other trainees can submit an application indicating their interest, which should include:

  • Letter of interest: A one page letter describing your interest in CF, career goals, and reasons for wanting to participate in CF Scholars.
  • Letter of support from your PI or program director: A letter of recommendation supporting your participation and agreeing to allow you time to participate in CF Scholars.
  • Curriculum Vitae

This is a rolling 2-year program starting in August.

8-12 fellows per year maximum.

All fellows will be expected to submit abstracts to NACFC.

Leann Rittenbaum Ott Travel Award Competition: CF Scholars are eligible to submit their NACFC abstract for this competition. The awardee will receive funding of up to $1,250 toward travel in order to present their work at a CF meeting. The CF Scholars Committee will select the awardee who will present their work at a CF meeting. One award will be available each year. The CF Scholars Committee will select the awardee who will serve as the Leann Rittenbaum Ott Fellow for the year.

CF Scholars Activities (required):

1) CF Scholars Sessions, 8 per year, Fridays 2:00 – 3:00 (open to all CF Faculty and trainees).
1. Introduction to CF
2. Introduction to CF Pulmonary Disease
3. Introduction to CF Microbiology
4. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
5. Introduction to CF Gastroenterology/Hepatology
6. Patient Grand Rounds: Infancy
7. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
8. Patient Grand Rounds: Adolescence
9. Introduction to CF Endocrine Disease
10. Introduction to CF Nutrition
11. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
12. Exercise in CF
13. Patient Grand Rounds: Adulthood
14. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
15. CF Genetics
16. CF Bone and Reproductive Health

Patient Grand Rounds: These sessions are focused on the patient and family experience
of living with CF. A patient with CF or a CF caregiver are invited to attend.

CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds: These sessions are run by the CF scholars. A
clinician and scientist work together to develop and present the session. The clinical
scholar presents a patient case and discusses the clinical aspects of the case, and the
scientist discusses a basic or translational science aspect of the case.

2) CF Scholars Colloquia, 3 per year, Evenings 4:30 – 6:00 PM (CF scholars and CF Scholars Committee, and by invitation only, refreshments provided).

  • Meet the CF scholars and faculty
  • Scientific Communication and Outreach
  • Partnering with CFF and Academic Societies: Career Development Plans
  • CFF and NIH Opportunities for CF Research
  • Introduction to the CF Biorepository and Georgia CF Data Warehouse
  • Nut and bolts of grant writing and grant review in CF research

3) CF-AIR Joint Lab Meeting/Research workshops, weekly, Thursdays 1:00 - 2:00PM (open to all CF faculty and trainees).

  • Research presentations given by CF scientists and members of their laboratories, also including outside visitors.

4) Experiential Learning Program

  • Shadowing for PhDs: Opportunity to visit half day CF clinics over the 2 years. Clinics may include: Pediatric, Adult, Transplant, CF diabetes, CF GI.
  • Shadowing for MDs: Opportunity to shadow CF researchers for a half day in the laboratory.

The CF Scholars Committee overseas the program.  Members include:

Joanna Goldberg, PhD - Co-Director​ - CF Researcher
Bejamin Kopp, MD, MPH - Co-Director - CF Clinician Scientist and CF-AIR Co-Director
Rachel Linnemann, MD - Co-Director - CF Clinician Scientist and CF Care Center Director
Nael McCarty, PhD - Co-Director - CF Researcher, CF-AIR and CF@LANTA Director
Arlene Stecenko, MD - Member - CF Clinican Scientist and CF@LANTA Co-Director
Randy Hunt, MD - Member - CF Clinician Scientest and Adult CF Program Director
Jessica Alvarez, PhD - Member - CF Researcher
Joshua Chandler, PhD - Member - CF Researcher
Kathryn Oliver, PhD - Member - CF Researcher