title: Excellence in Radiation Research for the 21st Century (EIRR21): description of an innovative research training program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and assess an interdisciplinary research training program for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and clinical fellows focused on radiation medicine; funded by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research since 2003, the program entitled "Excellence in Radiation Research for the 21st Century" (EIRR21) aims to train the next generation of interdisciplinary radiation medicine researchers.
  
  
  METHODS
  Online surveys evaluating EIRR21 were sent to trainees (n=56), mentors (n=36), and seminar speakers (n=72). Face-to-face interviews were also conducted for trainee liaisons (n=4) and participants in the international exchange program (n=2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall response rates ranged from 53% (mentors) to 91% (trainees). EIRR21 was well received by trainees, with the acquisition of several important skills related to their research endeavors. An innovative seminar series, entitled Brainstorm sessions, imparting "extracurricular" knowledge in intellectual property protection, commercialization strategies, and effective communication, was considered to be the most valuable component of the program. Networking with researchers in other disciplines was also facilitated owing to program participation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  EIRR21 is an innovative training program that positively impacts the biomedical community and imparts valuable skill sets to foster success for the future generation of radiation medicine researchers.
authors.affiliation: Radiation Medicine Program, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: P'ng
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: How
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bezjak
authors.forename: Rob
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bristow
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Catton
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fyles
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gospodarowicz
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jaffray
authors.forename: Shana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelley
authors.forename: Shun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Fei-Fei
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D003132:Commerce / Q000193:education; D003142:Communication; D005381:Financing, Organized; D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008611:Mentors; D009864:Ontario; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018787:Radiation Oncology / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D012106:Research / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards; D014956:Writing