Each month, Look Who’s Talking features voices from across BWH answering the same question. If you would like to add your voice to the conversation, please submit a comment at the bottom of the page. This month, we are asking: “What do you wish you had known when you first started as a principal investigator at the Brigham?”

Anupamaa Seshadri

“I wish I had known the importance of having excellent mentorship. Even with the numerous resources available to researchers particularly in the BWH community, without the mentorship and guidance of Dr. James Lederer, I don’t think I would’ve been able to successfully obtain NIH funding or be able to accomplish the research I am performing.”

-Anupamaa Seshadri, MD, Resident, Department of Surgery

Jeffrey Sparks

“As a new PI, I had no idea about the great wealth of resources offered through BWH beyond my division. In retrospect, I did not even know all of the right questions to ask. I would therefore recommend that all new PIs talk with the Brigham Research Institute, the Center for Clinical Investigation, and Research Administration and Compliance to see what answers they can provide to questions new PIs never knew they had!”

-Jeffrey Sparks, MD, MMSc, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy

Deborah Mulloy

“I continue to be amazed by the resources that are available to PIs at the Brigham. This year, for example, I conducted an industry-sponsored study and learned about roles in the organization that I didn’t even know existed. At the end of the process, we had put together a very solid proposal that was properly vetted and executed. I feel fortunate to be a part of an organization that is committed to supporting research.”

-Deborah Farina Mulloy, PhD, RN, CNOR, Associate Chief Nurse for Quality and the Center for Nursing Excellence

Sameer Hirji

“I wish I had known about the strong research framework that already exists in each department at BWH. One can always find a specialist with experience in a particular area, whether it is administrative, grant- or clinically related. It is really impressive!”

-Sameer Hirji, MD, Resident, Department of Surgery

Elizabeth Ginsburg

“As a clinical researcher, it’s important to be aware that your department’s grants and contracts contact must be notified as soon as possible about upcoming studies, whether funding will be via the National Institutes of Health, industry or other organization. Finalizing contracts can take months in some situations, delaying the start of research. Also, depending on the degree of clinical intervention and the novelty of drug or product used, Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval can take more than three months and in some cases even longer.”

-Elizabeth Ginsburg, MD, Medical Director, IVF Program, BWH Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Other pro tips:

–PIVOT: PIVOT is an external database comprises a myriad of international funding opportunities.
–Research Connection: Sign up for the RC email series to receive funding opportunities, announcements and event information in your inbox and come in person once a month the RC Live Lunches to  hear the latest news from community leaders, ask your questions and stay for a free lunch.

Have a tip to share? Leave a comment below.