The purpose of the research component of pediatric critical care training is to allow the trainee to develop and synthesize an area of investigation in order to answer a unique question and to become expert in a given area.  Typically, 15-18 months of the three-year program is devoted exclusively to this purpose.  The program encourages investigation in both the basic science and clinical arenas.  While the pediatric critical care division includes three independent NIH funded laboratories, trainees are encouraged to utilize all resources available at UT Southwestern in order to pursue given interests.  Fellows interested in clinical research are encouraged to participate in the patient oriented research program at UT Southwestern that includes specialized training in statistical analysis, epidemiology, study design, and public health policy.  Extramural funding for projects is available through the Children's Medical Center office of Clinical Research as well as several other sources of support available throughout Children's Medical Center and UT Southwestern.   Before beginning training, fellows may apply for one of two designated basic science training programs that each offer a minimum of two years protected time for lab-based research.  These include the NIH funded training program in Trauma, Burns, Surgery, and Critical Care administered by Dr. Jureta Horton at UT Southwestern and the Pediatric Scientist Development Program.  Each program allows the trainee to have uninterrupted intense basic science exposure that is "sandwiched" between a minimum of 6 month clinical training blocks.  All trainees are eligible for the NIH pediatric research loan repayment program in their second and third years of training as they will devote more than 50% of their time during these years to research.