DECIDING WHETHER TO TAKE A RESEARCH YEAR
Choosing to pursue a research year during or after medical school is a big decision that is driven by personal circumstances as well as short- and long-term career goals. Common reasons why many medical students choose this path include the desire to obtain basic science or clinical research exposure, to build a more advanced research skill set, or to strengthen their residency application.

WHEN TO TAKE A RESEARCH YEAR

Between M3 and M4 (Most common): Most students will opt to take a research year between their third and fourth years of medical school. The common reason for this timetable is that the third year of medical school is critical in terms of deciding on a final specialty and the research year often comes once the decision of specialty is made. Research should ideally be centered around the specialty a student ultimately plans to pursue, but a perfect coordination of research topic and specialty is not absolutely necessary.
Between M2 and M3: It should be noted that preclinical knowledge is important in terms of doing well on the core clerkships of third year and it's generally accepted that much of this core knowledge is forgotten over an interim year of research. In that sense, it is felt by many students that the second and third years of medical school should be uninterrupted in order to cement the preclinical knowledge in a clinical context during the third year. As a result, it is less common that students take a research year following the second year of medical school at the end of the preclinical phase.
After M4 (Often for unmatched students): Some students choose to participate in a research year following their fourth year, most commonly following an unsuccessful match in order to bolster their application with intentions to apply again in the future.

HOW TO STRUCTURE YOUR RESEARCH YEAR

1. Choosing a mentor and project
When considering a mentor, look for those who have a track record of academic output in terms of poster presentations, oral presentations, and publications and also previous mentorship of medical students, in particular those taking a research year. If possible, it is also important to have a mentor who is reasonably well-known and highly regarded in the field of otolaryngology (provided they have the time).

Students should focus on choosing projects that are meaningful to them. While some may consider starting research in a field that they plan on pursuing later in their career, this is not necessary. Select research projects that can be accomplished reasonably within the time frame of the research year. Timing can be difficult to evaluate, but experienced researchers should be able to work with you to formulate goals that are achievable within one year.

Pick the right location. Do you plan on doing a research year at your home institution or elsewhere? At a home institution, your network of collaborators is generally more developed. It will likely be easier to settle into a research year and also to “plug in” to your home department. That said, going elsewhere may offer more robust opportunities which are not available at your home institution. Furthermore, it will give you the opportunity to network with a department and also observe the research environment and, to a lesser degree, the clinical environment at a different institution.

As with much of this process, decisions are context dependent. You should carefully evaluate the pros and cons and consult with others prior to making a final decision.

2. Funding for research fellowships
There are a handful of non-specific funding opportunities on the national level such as the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Fellowship and the Doris Duke Fellowship. In addition, funding opportunities can be found by exploring local resources, such as your research mentor or your department research director. Finally, there is a growing list of otolaryngology-specific research opportunities, which have been compiled below:

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application timeline: N/A
Application requirements: Personal Statement, medical school transcript, CV, 2 letters of recommendation
Must have MD/DO degree (or anticipated) from accredited US medical school
Description: This is a one year funded position that offers a unique opportunity to become involved in a variety of clinical research projects, all of which are conducive to obtaining peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international meetings

University of California Los Angeles
Duration: 9 months, typically August through May (some flexibility available)
Funding: yes
Application timeline: open now, applications close February 1, 2025
Application requirements: application (posted online) and CV/resume
Description: The UCLA Head and Neck Surgery Mentored Research Pathway provides financial support for two U.S. medical students to conduct full-time research training at UCLA for 9 months. In addition to research and academic achievement, these students must demonstrate an interest in fostering equity, diversity, and inclusion in healthcare professions, in advancing efforts to reduce healthcare inequities, and in the pursuit of social justice.

University of California San Francisco – Children’s Communication Center Research Fellowship
Duration: 1 year, flexible start and end dates
Funding: yes
Application timeline: N/A
Application requirements: N/A
Description: The CCC Research Fellowship is an opportunity for medical students to engage in yearlong clinical and translational research to support children who are deaf or hard-of-hearing (D/HH)

University of California San Francisco – Prendergast/UCSF Clinical Research Fellowship in Head and Neck Oncologic Surgery
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application timeline: N/A
Application requirements: N/A (contact william.ryan@ucsf.edu to apply)
Description: The mission of this fellowship is to study patient functional outcomes after treatment in three areas: Human papilloma virus related oropharynx cancer (throat cancer), Head and neck microvascular free flap reconstruction surgery, and Salivary dysfunction (oncologic and non-oncologic).

MedStar Health/Georgetown University
Duration: 1 year, flexible start and end dates
Funding: no
Application timeline: N/A
Application requirements: contact the residency and research program coordinator (hannah.strotman@medstar.net)
Description: The MedStar Georgetown University Hospital (MGUH) Otolaryngology-HNS Research Fellow position is currently an unfunded position for medical students who are interested in gaining more research experience prior to entering residency. It is a one-year position, although adjustments can be made for less or more time depending on a case-by case basis. The research fellow will work closely with Dr. Michael Hoa, who will oversee the research projects and timeline throughout the year.

University of Florida – Rhinology Clinical Research Fellowship
Duration: 1 year, flexible start and end dates
Funding: yes
Application timeline: Applications due February 1, 2025
Application requirements: CV, personal statement, and 2-3 letters of recommendation
Medical students between 3rd and 4th years of medical school or recent graduates of a US accredited medical school
Description: The fellowship’s goal is to offer robust clinical research training, grow foundational knowledge, and provide career development and mentorship for the fellows. Additionally, the fellows will have exposure to the UF Otolaryngology residents and didactic lectures. This position will also include ample shadowing opportunities in the OR and clinic, formal and structured mentorship, as well as a career development curriculum.

University of Florida – Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Research Fellowship
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application timeline: September 1, 2024 to March 30, 2025
Application requirements: CV and 2-3 letters of recommendation
Graduate or eligible to graduate from a medical/osteopathic school
Description: This research fellowship is designed to provide the fellow with an intensive year of clinical research production. It is akin to a postdoctoral program. It is an ideal program for a candidate interested in an academic career in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, who wishes to bolster their experience in research.

Henry Ford Health and Michigan Ear Institute
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application timeline: Due April 4, 2025
Application requirements: Personal Statement of Interest, CV , med school transcript, 2 letters of recommendation to Ryan Schultz (RSCHULT5@hfhs.org)
Must have MD/DO degree (or anticipated) from accredited US medical school
Description: A one-year research assistant position is available for motivated medical students interested in a career as a clinician scientist in Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery. We offer experience in clinical, outcomes, and health services research opportunities in otolaryngology. This opportunity is a collaboration between Henry Ford Health and the Michigan Ear Institute, offering a unique experience in high-impact clinical research.

University of Miami/Jackson Health – MOSSTP
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application timeline: N/A
Application requirements: see link above
Description: We will provide immersive research training for medical students interested in otolaryngology to cultivate otolaryngology research interests, encourage pursuit of otolaryngology residencies that include research training, and cultivate young minds to engage in academic surgeon scientist careers.

University of Michigan
Duration: 9 month
Funding: yes
Application timeline: send application to nrolland@med.umich.edu by January 31, 2025
Application requirements: Cover letter describing research interests and career goals; Curriculum vitae (CV); Medical school transcript; Contact information for two references.
Description: The U-M Medical School Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery's Medical Student Clinical Research Fellowship offers clinical research education to support future careers as clinician-scientists with training in electronic data capture, manuscript writing, clinical trial coordination and research presentations. The Michigan Otolaryngology Research Education (MORE) R25 Pre-Doctoral Fellowship provides a stipend and discretionary support for research materials. The fellowship is open to all U.S.-based medical students in good academic standing. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) requires that by the time of the appointment to the program, individuals must be a citizen or a non-citizen national of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e. possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Care USCIS Form 1-551, or other legal verification of such status).

Rush University
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application timeline: Rolling
Applications will be reviewed after March 17th, 2025
Application requirements: Google form application (including recent CV)
Description: The Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Stanton A. Friedberg Research Fellowship is a one-year position that offers the full spectrum of otorhinolaryngology research opportunities. This includes projects that involve rhinology, sleep medicine, and head & neck cancer, among other topics.

University of Iowa
Duration: 1 year (July through June)
Funding: yes
Application timeline: deadline of March 1, 2025
Application requirements: CV, medical school transcript, and personal statement
Description: A one-year program (beginning during June or on July 1) focused on research and publication (both peer-reviewed publication and on-line website production) is designed for 3rd year medical students as an interim before their 4th year targeted for those interested in a career in Otolaryngology

University of Kansas
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application timeline: deadline of March 21st, 2025
Application requirements: Interested applicants should email a current CV, cover letter, and two letters of reference to the Continuing Education Coordinator Shaya Johnson, BA at sjohnson58@kumc.edu.
ERAS letters of reference are acceptable
Description: Clinical Research Fellows work closely with research faculty, research coordinators, and residents to execute clinical research projects. Broad portfolio with robust clinical research opportunities in all otolaryngology subspecialties

Mayo Clinic (Rochester)
Duration: 1 year (beginning June or July)
Funding: yes
Application timeline: deadline of December 1, 2024
Application requirements: application worksheet, CV, personal statement, medical school transcript, and 3 letters of recommendation
Description: In the program, you will develop a research plan, meet with departmental statisticians to create a statistical plan and have a fellowship timeline. You'll also give presentations to the department's Research Committee, which helps fellows meet research goals and gain experience presenting. In addition, fellows assist with ongoing projects, database management and data acquisition.

Mayo Clinic (Jacksonville)
Duration: July 1st, 2025 – June 30th, 2026
Funding: yes
Application timeline: applications accepted annually December through March
Application requirements: Application worksheet, a 1-page personal statement, resume/CV, and two letters of recommendation. Completed applications should be sent to wright.nicole@mayo.edu. Questions about the program can be directed to donaldson.angela@mayo.edu
This research fellowship is designed for otolaryngologists trained outside the United States who possess either senior resident or junior faculty level experience and U.S. medical school graduates who seek additional research experience in the field of otolaryngology. Fourth-year medical students who will complete their postgraduate education in the summer the program starts also will be considered
Description: : As a research fellow, you will be given an opportunity to immerse yourself in the research side of clinical practice and gain invaluable experience and training for your future career. In the program, you'll assist with ongoing projects, database management and data acquisition. You'll also have the opportunity to develop a research idea, work with biostatisticians to create a statistical plan and attend faculty research meetings

Washington University in St. Louis
Duration: 9 months
Funding: yes
Application timeline: deadline of December 31, 2024
Application requirements: application packet can be downloaded online, but will include an application cover sheet, medical school transcripts, a one-page personal statement, a five-page research proposal, one reference letter, and a mentor letter of support
To apply to this program, you have to identify and reach out to an otolaryngology mentor at the university. They will talk with you about the research proposal and provide a mentor letter of support
Description: The Predoctoral Training Program for medical students provides a mentored research experience (9 month) with opportunities to participate in research on many levels and learn from successful program faculty conducting cutting-edge basic, clinical and translational research in the auditory, vestibular, olfactory, and communication sciences.

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: deadline is February 15, 2025
Application requirements: CV, medical school transcript, 1 letter of recommendation, and a personal statement
Note, students from a DO-granting institution or international medical school are not eligible
Description: several fellowships devoted to research in different subspecialties
Eugen Grabschied, MD Fellowship – Laryngology
Ronald Hoffman, MD Fellowship – Otology
William Lawson, MD DDS Fellowship – Rhinology
Steven Sacks, MD and Carole Sacks Fellowship – Head and Neck Surgery

New York University (Health Equity Medical Student Research Internship)
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: (for July 2025 cycle) December 15, 2024
Application requirements: CV and cover letter
Specifically for medical students underrepresented in medicine (URiM)
Description: Under the mentorship of department faculty, the research intern is guided to pursue basic, clinical, and translational investigations in pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology, neurotology, rhinology, facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, and head and neck surgery as available

New York University Cochlear Implant Medical Student Research Fellowship
New York University Lab for Translational Auditory Research is offering one (possibly two) research fellow positions for 2025-2026. This is a paid, full-time, one-year research fellowship designed for medical students taking a gap year before their last year of medical school. We are a translational cochlear implant research lab who work closely with the NYU Cochlear Implant Center. Research fellows will assist with human subject recruitment, testing, and data management. Previous research fellows have also helped with IRB submissions, data analysis, programming, retrospective studies, ABI subject testing etc. We encourage research fellows to lead their own project (optional) under our guidance and attend at least 1 conference to present a poster or podium presentation. We help facilitate networking connections within NYU and encourage shadowing in the OR. Start and end dates are flexible to accommodate other med school requirements. Please sent a CV, cover letter, and contact information for 2 references to nicole.capach@nyulangone.org. Deadline is May 1st, 2025 (rolling)

Duke University
Duration: 9 months (starts in July)
Funding: yes
Application: February 15, 2025
Application requirements: CV and cover letter
Description: In addition to mentored research projects, students will participate in departmental activities including grand rounds, research team lab meetings, journal clubs and a monthly otolaryngology research seminar series.

Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals
Duration: 1 year (minimum 10 months) beginning in June or July
Funding: yes
Application: Spring 2025 (March 31st, 2025 – rolling)
Interviews held after SOAP
Application requirements: personal statement, CV, and a letter of recommendation
Description: Fellows will be expected to organize and complete multiple clinical research projects throughout the year with publication and/or presentation expected as the result of these projects. There will be formal research methodology training delivered through lectures and one-on-one mentoring with our faculty to obtain competency in the various areas of the fellow's personalized research plan. Additionally, the fellow will have opportunities to participate in departmental didactics, quality meetings, and social events

Penn State
Duration: 1 year
Funding: N/A
Application: N/A
Application requirements:
Note, this fellowship was only open to Penn State medical students for the 2024-2025 fellowship year
Description: During this year, the student will work closely with faculty and residents to lead research projects within the Department as well as work on clinical trials, review charts, and help to maintain a multi-surgeon cancer database.

Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: applications are accepted from September until January
Application requirements: online application form that will require a CV and personal statement
Description: The Department of Otolaryngology at Thomas Jefferson University has funded and unfunded positions for 12 months of formal training in clinical and basic science research. Each fellow has the opportunity to conduct research in any field within the department, including but not limited to, head and neck cancer, rhinology and skull-base surgery, facial plastics, sleep surgery and otology.

University of Pennsylvania
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: February 1, 2025
Application requirements: written proposal (available online) to include NIH biosketch, project summary, and research proposal
Description: The Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Student Research Fellowship is a one-year program intended for medical students interested in academic otolaryngology who intend to spend a year in a research lab prior to applying for residency or during their third and fourth years of medical school

Medical University of South Carolina
Duration: 10 – 12 months (starting in June 2025)
Funding: yes
Application: rolling
This fellowship is ideally suited to medical students seeking a research year between the 3rd and 4th years of medical school and recent graduates who are interested in training in Otolaryngology
Application requirements: to apply, send a cover letter, CV, and names of three references to Dr. Shaun Nguyen (nguyensh@musc.edu)
Description: Unique opportunity to become involved in a variety of clinical research projects, all of which are conducive to obtaining peer-reviewed publications and presentations at national and international meetings

University of Tennessee
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: deadline is rolling, but selection of fellows typically occurs after the MATCH and SOAP
Application requirements: email Dr. Madhu Mamidala (mmamidal@uthsc.edu0

Vanderbilt University – Head and Neck
Duration: 1 year (July 1 – June 30)
Funding: yes
Application: deadline is February 8, 2025
Application requirements: CV, cover letter, and contact information for two references
Description: This research experience is geared towards aspiring otolaryngologists seeking a research year between their third and fourth years of medical school. The fellow will conduct clinical research within head and neck surgical oncology with their primary projects investigating the use of 3D scanning of head and neck surgical pathology specimens, as well as a novel open surgical video platform for education and competency.

Vanderbilt University – Facial Plastics
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: deadline is February 3, 2025
Application requirements: CV, cover letter, and contact information for two references
Description: The fellow will conduct clinical research within the field of facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. The fellow will have the opportunity to work closely with all surgeons within the FPRS division on clinical research projects throughout the year

University of Virginia
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: will be accepted in Spring 2025
Application requirements: CV, medical school transcript, cover letter, and two references
Description: Fellows will collaborate with faculty and take a primary role in conducting research projects, preferably in multiple subspecialty areas. Depending on the Fellow’s interests, goals and existing skillset, projects could span a variety of research disciplines including retrospective and prospective clinical research, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, population-based database mining, innovative product development, or basic science/translational research.

Virginia Commonwealth University
Duration: 12 months
Funding: yes
Application deadline: March 31st, 2025
Application requirements: complete application at the link above – required materials include CV, medical school transcript, cover letter describing research interest, and 3 professional references
Rising 4th years or those already with an MD or DO
This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas
Description: The goal for this fellowship program is to help the Fellow develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of research including the basics of research design and data analysis (biostatistics). Additionally, through this experience, the Fellow will learn more about an academic career in Otolaryngology.

University of Washington (NIH-funded R25)
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application: deadline March 1, 2025
Application requirements: work with a mentor to generate a research proposal
Description: This 9-month long research training and education period takes place on the Seattle campus. It involves both mentored research and structured research didactics, discussions, and workshops, including training in grant writing. We provide a stipend and funds for travel to present your research, as well as support for your research project, training, and education. We may also offer clinical clerkship/sub-internship training in Otolaryngology at either the start or the end of the 9-month period, as available.

University of Washington Dick and Loraine Burger Head and Neck Surgery Research Fellowship
Duration: 1 year
Funding: yes
Application deadline: Friday, March 28th, 2025
To apply: letter of interest, CV, updated transcript, at least one letter of recommendation, and a personal statement under one-page detailing motivation to apply to UW, research experience, research interest, and goals for the year (priority will be given to students in their third or fourth year)
Description: Research will be conducted within the Division of Head and Neck Surgery with all head and neck faculty
Students also have the opportunity to be involved in clinical activities (including scrubbing in the OR), attend departmental educational activities, head and neck tumor board, and become acquainted with other Otolaryngology department members

Cleveland Clinic
Duration: July 1st, 2025 – June 30th, 2026
Funding: yes
Application deadline: April 15th, 2025 (to apply fill out the application at the link above)
Description: The research fellow will assist with IRB submissions, work with investigators, ensure research compliance, learn laboratory techniques and contribute to ongoing research in both laboratory and clinical settings, gain experience with data analysis related to research experiments and datasets.

Stanford University (NIH/NIDCD R25 Clinician Scientist Training Program)
Duration: 9 months
Funding: yes
Application deadline: February, 28th, 2025
Research plan, letter of recommendation from Stanford faculty describing training plan, CV, and optional appendix
Description: this track will be used to provide a research experience for those individuals that desire an extended research experience before residency training. This program also contains a structured didactic program, multiple journal clubs, a weekly seminar series, and a monthly visiting basic science lectureship series. In addition, there are a wide range of additional training opportunities at Stanford specifically designed for post-doctoral fellows and medical students, such as training in the responsible conduct of research, statistical analysis, how to write a scientific paper, grantsmanship, negotiating for your first position, and a wide range of classes available for auditing, etc.

Harvard/Massachusetts Eye and Ear
Duration: 12 months
Funding: housing stipend, all costs of research and travel to conferences are covered by the fellowship
Application deadline: will be reviewed in February 2025
Application materiasl: CV, statement of interest, and two letters of interest to Dr. (DFaden@MGB.org)
Description: This is a one-year translational research fellowship within the Department of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Massachusetts General Hospital. The fellowship is ideal for highly motivated US medical students who wish to obtain additional mentored research experience and training while also building their CV in anticipation of residency application. The position entails working closely with the head and neck cancer team to develop, design and conduct translational head and neck cancer research.

PLANNING FOR 4TH YEAR (Applicable to MS3 Students)
It is important for students participating in a research year to ensure they make the necessary preparations for their return to fourth year clinical rotations. This includes planning the MS4 schedule. You should make your medical school aware of your plans but remain plugged into academic announcements and class registration. “Off-line” medical students can easily be overlooked during class registration or for match-related events. It is important to remain proactive and conscious of what is going on at your home institution during the research year.

Some additional points to consider:

During your year away from the clinical arena, it is helpful to keep your clinical skills sharp. While you will most certainly lose a step compared to students going straight through, participating in activities such as volunteering at a student run medical clinic may help stave off some of the rust.
STEP II CS/CK. It is generally advisable to get these exams out of the way during the research year and as soon as possible. Going with the above point, it is likely you will see a decline in clinical knowledge during the research year. See other discussions on this website regarding expectations for scores.
Consider that some research fellowships are strict on beginning and end dates. The sooner you start thinking about how these will affect your fourth year planning, the better.

GETTING INVOLVED IN THE DEPARTMENT
For students taking a research year, it is worthwhile to utilize extra time to network within the ENT department. This may entail resident or staff shadowing, going to the OR, or helping on call. Use this opportunity to expose yourself further to the field and maintain some semblance of clinical involvement during the research year. This may also provide new opportunities for involvement in ongoing clinical research projects. It is advisable to prepare and act during these experiences as you would during an actual audition rotation. These impressions will, positively or negatively, influence how the department views you as a candidate. It is also important to recognize that you should defer to clinical students who may be on service or rotation given your own flexibility and ability to pursue other opportunities with shadowing.

RESEARCH YEAR EXPECTATIONS
Some students may decide to take a research year because they “want to take a break from the pressure and lifestyle of the hospital.” If you are planning on taking a research year, it is important to realize that there is a big difference between a research year and taking a year off. While the pace of a research year is generally more relaxed than the hospital wards or the operating room, it should not be used as a year to simply relax. Students approaching the research year with this mentality will harm themselves due to lack of productivity, leaving residencies asking, “what exactly did you do during this year?” A “research year” implies research productivity. To that end, students should look to the research year as an opportunity for academic growth and should aim to be involved in several projects that result in oral presentation and journal publication. While it is difficult to predict which projects may lead to publication and which will dead-end, students should aim for manuscript submission by the end of the year from their core research project, or at very least have a manuscript in the works.

Stepping into the research world from the hospital can be a bit of a culture shock. Where the needs of the hospital/patients can dictate life on the wards, in the research world one is generally given much more flexibility and autonomy regarding daily routine and deadlines. This lack of rigid structure may be deceptive, appearing as though there is less work to be done. However, in reality, the burden to succeed often rests directly on the student. Therefore it is important to carefully keep track of projects by working closely with mentors and planning the progress of research work in order to ensure productivity.

Production during the research year cannot be stressed enough. The bar for production will be held higher for students taking a research year than those who have not. Further, when on the interview trail your work during the research year will most certainly come up. Anecdotally, it has been reported that there are certain members of departments whose role is to “sniff out” low quality research or exaggerated claims. Be ready to talk about your work intelligently and at length while demonstrating a clear interest in your work. Not being able to do so would be detrimental to your application.

OTHER OPTIONS FOR A GAP YEAR
While a research year is probably the most common option chosen by medical students electing to take a gap year, there are many other opportunities such as completing another advanced degree (MPH, MBA, JD, or MEd) or involvement in global health initiatives. Regardless of your pursuit, it is important to think critically about how the gap year will fit into both your short- and long-term goals. As with the research year, you should be able to clearly and convincingly articulate how the gap year fits into your career path in ENT and what you accomplished during this time. If you do pursue an advanced degree, you may find yourself with more bandwidth than you are used to during medical courses. While the focus of your gap year should be the additional degree, it may be possible to pursue research or additional activities during this time as well. You may also find the discussion on Resident Research valuable and an associated podcast episode.