How to get started in research

Insights on building support networks and navigating funding

The following is a condensed version of the discussion held during the Women in IR, Research, Grants and Lab Research webinar. This webinar provided participants with the chance to engage with leaders in IR whose expertise spans embolization innovations, targeted drug‑delivery systems and major clinical research efforts like the EMBOLIZE trial.
 
How do you build your research support network?

Strengthen your current connections and build new ones through purposeful networking. Know why you are reaching out to other IRs and ensure you know their research background/interests and how it aligns with your own.

The IR field is welcoming and most people are responsive, but you may need to be persistent and follow-up or pivot to other leads. Even if someone cannot be your research mentor for the full length of the project, several members of the community may be willing to provide insights or point you in the right direction by providing feedback–or can direct you to another mentor who may be a better fit or have more availability. Instead of looking for one person to be your support, consider building a team of people who can provide different types of support and feedback.

Once you become more established and have a proven track record of finishing and completing well-done research, networking will get easier and more people will reach out for either collaborations or feedback. Strong clinical performance and trusted relationships with industry representatives can also open doors to sponsored trials and investigator‑initiated studies.

What advice do you have about obtaining grant funding for your research?

Start with a plan and budget out what will be needed to keep the project financially sustainable. Have a conversation with your accounting and research departments so you understand the line item per-diem costs of your project. If you are performing animal research, speak with a statistician so that you can figure out the cost to obtain, sustain and supervise animal subjects. Then begin looking at different funding avenues, including several foundations and industry opportunities to apply for. Map out the requirements each grant is asking for and meticulously follow their instructions so you can tell a compelling proposal that explains the use of funds and the benefits of your research.

What is the ideal balance between time in the animal lab and clinical responsibilities?

This can be tough, as various institutions differ in the amount of time they can provide. The type of research you are performing dictates the time that is needed, but advocate for at least one day in the lab (although at least two days is ideal). Learn your institution’s policies and institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) processes early; standards are strict and differ by site, and you can save months of work by planning ahead.

Is a PhD necessary to do research?

While a PhD is an accomplishment, it is not a must-have for research. The PhD can give you a great structure to develop certain computational or engineering‑heavy skills such as coding and programming, but most IR researchers do not have a PhD. You can obtain many essential research skills through coursework, support from collaborators and hands-on experience.

Any final advice?

The path to a successful research career is rooted in persistence, preparation and building with others.