Designing Research to De-tangle Clinical Insights
A research intensive for clinicians interested in and new to research, taking place after CORK 2026 — September 11–12, 2026, on the UC San Diego campus.
This research intensive is designed for clinicians interested in and new to research.
The goal is to help clinician researchers translate clinical insights into valid, innovative, mechanistically anchored, and testable research questions.
The program has a focus on neuroscience but is broadly applicable to any research on mechanisms or effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT).
Participants will take part in didactic and experiential sessions, including experiencing the full arc of the research process firsthand — from exploring tradeoffs in study design choices through hands-on pilot data collection.
There will also be opportunity for robust discussion on how to move towards a research strategy for OMM/OMT.
- Dates: September 11–12, 2026
- Cost: Free
- There will be no CME for this event
- Location: On UC San Diego campus, exact location TBA
- Program Directors: Laura Case, PhD; Francesco Cerritelli, DO, PhD; Alice I. Chen, DO
Disclaimer: Agenda may change.
- 9:00–10:15 AM — From Clinical Insights to the Research Question: Designing Innovative and Valid Research Projects.
- Speaker: Francesco Cerritelli, DO, PhD.
- General considerations on selecting research constructs and approaches that are valid, informed by prior knowledge, and innovative — plus an overview of some primary neuroscience research tools.
- 10:30–11:30 AM — Research Roadmap and Resources.
- Speaker: Laura Case, PhD.
- Concrete resources and steps for entering the research field.
- 11:30 AM–12:30 PM — Brainstorming & Feedback Discussion: Generating Research Ideas and Designs.
- All participants.
- Open discussion to generate and workshop research ideas as a group.
- 12:30–1:30 PM — Lunch and Instructions for Afternoon Session and Pilot Study Practicum.
- All participants.
- Orientation and logistics briefing for the afternoon's pilot data collection experience.
- 1:30–4:30 PM —
- Neuroscience Research Tools.
- All participants.
- Participants will learn about different tools and designs to use in research studies.
- Pilot Data Collection Session A.
- All participants.
- Participants will rotate through roles during a live simulated research session.
- Neuroscience Research Tools.
- 9:00–9:30 AM — Reflections from Day 1 and Organize & Instructions for Day 2.
- All participants.
- 9:30 AM–12:30 PM —
- Neuroscience Research Tools.
- All participants.
- Participants will learn about different tools and designs to use in research studies.
- Pilot Data Collection — Session B.
- All participants.
- Participants will rotate through roles during a live simulated research session.
- Neuroscience Research Tools.
- 12:30–1:30 PM — Lunch
- 1:30–2:00 PM — Debrief and Network.
- All participants.
- Discuss lessons learned, potential collaborations, and future research directions.