Integrated Clinical and Research Fellowship
About the Fellowship
Join a one-year Integrated Clinical and Research Fellowship in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, led by Dr. Alice Zhang (surgical retina) and Dr. David Fleischman (glaucoma). For the past seven years, this fellowship has provided advanced preparation for ophthalmology residency through combined clinical and research training.
Key Responsibilities
- Fellows assume an active role within UNC Department of Ophthalmology and are expected to engage fully in its clinical, research, and educational missions. Core responsibilities include:
- Evaluating patients independently in clinic and staffing directly with attending physicians (2 days per week)
- Participating in resident didactics, departmental conferences and wet labs
- Leading clinical and translational projects from conception through publication
- Completing IRB submissions, data analysis, manuscript drafting, and peer-review responses
- Presenting research at regional and national meetings
Research Experience
Fellows are expected to maintain a high level of scholarly productivity throughout the research year, with an emphasis on leading projects that result in tangible academic output. With close faculty mentorship and robust departmental support, fellows consistently produce work that contributes meaningfully to the ophthalmic literature. Research opportunities are predominantly retina, glaucoma, and medical education, but fellows are encouraged to work with faculty in other subspecialties as well. Recent fellows have presented at national meetings such as AAO, ARVO, ASCRS, etc.
Fellowship Outcomes
The fellowship has a strong track record and reputation of preparing fellows for ophthalmology residency. As of the 2025 match cycle, 8 of 10 fellows have successfully matched into ophthalmology residency programs, reflecting the program’s emphasis on meaningful clinical experience, high research productivity, and close faculty mentorship.
- 5 of 5 of fellows completing a gap year between their M3 and M4 year have matched.
- 3 of 5 fellows in the reapplicant position have succeeded in securing an ophthalmology residency position, while 2 of 5 secured a position in another specialty of their choice.
Qualifications
- Current medical student at a school graduating MDs and DOs
- U.S. Permanent Resident or Citizen (we are unable to sponsor a visa application)
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team
Application Procedure
1) One 12-month gap year position: (May/June – June of the following year).
- Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis through February/March of the start year of the fellowship.
- Interested candidates should email UNC_Ophtho@med.unc.edu with a brief personal statement outlining their goals for the research year and a copy of their CV. Please indicate if the application is for the gap year or reapplicant position.
2) One reapplicant medical student position: (March/April – April of the following year)
- Interested candidates should email UNC_Ophtho@med.unc.edu with a brief personal statement of their goals for the research year. Please specify reasons for not matching and how this research fellowship may be a good fit for goals in medicine. If the student applied to UNC through the SF match, please indicate the SF Match ID#; otherwise, please forward the CAS application. Please indicate if the application is for the gap year or reapplicant position. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until two weeks after Match Day.
** Now accepting applications for our 2026-2027 Integrated Clinical and Research Fellowship position! **
Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and experiences.