CF Scholars

What are we all about?

The goal of the CF Scholars Program is to recruit, educate, and mentor pre-doctoral and postdoctoral researchers and clinicians to become the next generation of academicians in cystic fibrosis research.

By the completion of this program, participants should have gained an increased understanding of CF and how to perform team science, enhanced their communication skills, and become patient and scientific advocates.

The program includes in depth and frequent interactions between CF clinicians and CF scientists so the trainee will be educated on the important role each plays in the lives of the CF patient and their family. The CF Scholars Program is headed by directors Joanna Goldberg, PhD, Nael McCarty, PhD, and Rachel Linnemann, MD.

Who are the CF Scholars?

Who are CF Scholars?

All CF@LANTA trainees supported by CFF grants .

All trainees with a CFF Fellowship, including Pediatric Pulmonary or Adult Pulmonary Fellows or Postdoctoral Fellows.
Other trainees can submit an application to the co-directors indicating their interest
- Letter of interest: A one page letter describing your interest in CF, career goals, and reasons for wanting to participate in CF Scholars
- Letter of support from your PI or program director: A letter of recommendation supporting your participation and agreeing to allow you time to participate in CF Scholars
- Curriculum Vitae

All fellows will be expected to submit abstracts to NACFC.

Travel Award Competition: Fellows without other sources of support for travel funding will be eligible to submit abstracts for competitive funding for up to $1,250 toward travel in order to present their work at NACFC. One award will be available each year. The CF Scholars Committee will select the awardee.

Current Scholars

2020 CF Scholars entering class:

1. Heather Brandt, DO, Pediatric Pulmonary Fellow, Emory University

2. Alexandre Cammarata-Mouchtouris, PhD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Tirouvanziam Lab, Emory University

3. Erin Kallam, DO, Pediatric Pulmonary Fellow, Emory University

4. Andrew McAvoy, PhD Student, Garg Lab, Georgia Tech

5. Brittany Ross, PhD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Whiteley Lab, Georgia Tech

2021 CF Scholars entering class:

1. Sheyda Azimi, PhD, Postdoctoral Fellow, Diggle Lab, GaTech

2. Analia J Vazquez Cegla, PhD Candidate, McCarty Lab, Emory University

3. Cristian Crisan, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, Goldberg Lab, Emory Univeristy

4. Casey Derella, PhD Candidate, Harris Lab, Augusta University

5. Stephen Dolan, PhD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Whiteley Lab, GaTech

6. Lauren Dufour, MD, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition Fellow, Emory University

7. James Gurney, PhD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Brown Lab, GaTech

8. Logan Kavanaugh, PhD Candidate, Conn Lab, Emory University

9. Justin Luu, PhD Candidate, Goldberg Lab, Emory University

10. Marko Nedeljković, PhD, Post-doctoral Fellow, Sundberg Lab, Emory University

11. Brittany Truitt, MD, Pediatric Pulmonary Fellow, Emory University

CF Scholars Activities

CF Scholars Sessions, 8 per year

Year A (e.g. July 2021 – June 2022)
1. Introduction to CF
2. Introduction to CF Pulmonary Disease
3. Introduction to CF Microbiology
4. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
5. Introduction to CF Gastroenterology/Hepatology
6. Patient Grand Rounds: Infancy
7. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
8. Introduction to CF Endocrine Disease

Year B (e.g. July 2022 – June 2023)
9. Patient Grand Rounds: Adolescence
10. Introduction to CF Nutrition
11. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
12. CF Scholars Invited Lecturer
13. Patient Grand Rounds: Adulthood
14. CF Genetics
15. CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds
16. CF Mental and Reproductive Health

Patient Grand Rounds: These sessions are focused on the patient and family experience
of living with CF. A patient with CF and/or caregiver are invited to attend.

CF Scholars Case Grand Rounds: These sessions are run by the CF scholars. A
clinician and scientist work together to develop and present the session. The clinical
scholar presents a patient case and discusses the clinical aspects of the case, and the
scientist discusses a basic or translational science aspect of the case.

CF Scholars Colloquia, 3 per year

Year 1

Meet the CF scholars and faculty
Introduction to the CF Biorepository and Georgia Data Warehouse
Scientific Communication

Year 2

Meet the CF Scholars and Faculty
Partnering with CFF and Academic Societies: Scholarly opportunities in CF
Bench to Bedside: How clinicians and researchers work together to solve problems

CF-AIR Joint Lab Meeting/Research Workshops

Research presentations given by CF scientists and members of their laboratories, also including outside visitors

Experiential Learning Program

Shadowing for PhDs:
Opportunity to visit half day CF clinics over the 2 years. Clinics may include: Pediatric, Adult, Transplant, CF diabetes, CF GI

Shadowing for MDs:
Opportunity to shadow CF researchers for a half day in the laboratory

CF Scholars Committee

The CF Scholars Committee oversees the program.

Joanna Goldberg, PhD - Co-Director, CF Researcher
Nael McCarty, PhD - Co-Director CF Researcher, CF@LANTA Director
Rachel Linnemann, MD - Co-Director, CF Clinician Scientist & CF Care Center Director
Arlene Stecenko, MD, CF Clinician Scientist, CF@LANTA Co-Director
Randy Hunt, MD, CF Clinician Scientist & Adult CF Program Director
Jessica Alverez, PhD, CF Researcher
Joshua Chandler, PhD, CF Researcher
3rd Year Pediatric Pulmonary Fellow