Summary

Traditional academic environments are often viewed as the only pathway for surgeons who wish to pursue meaningful research. However, innovation frequently takes root outside institutional walls. In this session, through personal experiences, Dr. Chan challenges the assumption that academic affiliation is required for high-quality research and highlights alternative strategies that offer flexibility, agility, and opportunity. This talk aims to empower trainees and early-career surgeons to pursue research driven by passion, curiosity, and impact, regardless of institutional boundaries.

Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, learners should be able to:

1. Identify common misconceptions about conducting research inside and outside a university setting and describe limitations and constraints within traditional academic environments.
2. Describe alternative research pathways available to surgeon-scientists in private practice.
3. Outline the key components required to build a functional research ecosystem independent of a university system, including funding sources, compliance infrastructure, data management, and personnel.