Advanced Trainee Research Project Program

The program is open to all trainees enrolled in the Royal Australian College of Physicians Nephrology Advanced Training program who are or will be members of the Australia and New Zealand Society of Nephrology at time of program commencement.

Preference is given to trainees in their first or second year, with the intention of supporting completion of the research project required for training. Priority is also given to those trainees from units without established biostatistical support.

This program requires a significant time commitment. Trainees should only apply if they expect to be able to meet the program requirements.

• Trainees are expected to attend approximately hourlong meetings with fellow trainees approximately weekly to fortnightly, engage with discussion and contribute to resources with their fellow trainees
• Regular progress discussions with the Epidemiology Fellow are required
• Trainees will present project updates at the ANZDATA Research Meeting twice per year
• There may be opportunities to present at the ANZSN Annual Scientific Meeting (ASM), although this is not guaranteed or mandatory

Trainees with questions about these requirements are encouraged to contact the Epidemiology Fellow at requests@anzdata.org.au

• Projects using ANZDATA Registry data
• Projects addressing research questions in dialysis or kidney transplantation priority areas
• Projects collaborative in nature
• Projects that will be completed by the end of the trainee’s 2nd year or first quarter of trainee's 3rd year of Advanced Training
• Projects requiring linked datasets are eligible for submission however, the data linkage must already be completed to ensure the trainee can make progress during the program year

• Epidemiological and statistical support from the ANZDATA/ANZSN Clinical Epidemiology Fellow
• Guidance on study design, submitting ANZDATA Registry data requests, and developing a statistical analysis plan
• Support with statistical analysis and interpretation of results
• Through this process, trainees develop essential skills in research design, data analysis, and using registry data to answer meaningful clinical questions

Feedback from 2026 trainees:

"ATRP is a fantastic program for so many reasons. Only halfway through [the 2026 program], I’ve already acquired skills and knowledge to assist with literature reviews, epidemiological study design, academic writing as well as becoming more familiar with statistics and coding using Stata. Learning about the other trainees’ projects has been fun and interesting; the program is a great way to make connections with other ATs around the country. The Epi Fellow has been a phenomenal support and teacher. I’m excited to continue working and learning with this group!”

"I really enjoy the ATRP program! The structured approach makes completing a project feel accomplishable. Weekly meetings keep me accountable in making progress (learning to do a lit review, writing the introduction, etc). I have enjoyed learning to use STATA and practicing on dummy data to put into practice what we've done in teaching whilst I was awaiting data provision. Now I have received data for my project, am putting these skills into practice."

"ATRP has been an incredibly hands-on and interactive way to be immersed in research, with a particular emphasis on statistical analyses. Having my own project and data to focus on complements the weekly/fortnightly virtual sessions where we meet up and learn new skills. With the Epi Fellow's guidance, I have learnt the basics of Stata including data management,  statistical analyses and the underpinning theories and frameworks. Together, these elements break down the Advanced Trainee project into digestible parts, making the overall goal much more achievable. This program will definitely form the foundations for further research I undertake in my career and has provided me with transferable skills to use across future projects."

"The ATRP program has been a fantastic experience and has provided a supportive introduction to conducting clinical research. Through the structured teaching, mentorship and practical sessions on research design, statistical analysis and data management with the Epi Fellow, I have developed skills and confidence that will extend well beyond my current project. As a regional trainee with limited access to research and statistical support, the ongoing guidance, regular virtual sessions and opportunity to connect with other trainees have been invaluable in making the research process feel achievable and sustainable."

Feedback from 2025 trainees:

"I would have never pursued further research if I didn’t do the ATRP program. It provided invaluable guidance through all stages of project development and was crucial in developing my skills and understanding in statistical analysis and appropriate application. These skills will be so useful, especially in a rural and remote setting in which I am working in as a Nephrologist from next year and into the future.”

"I found the ATRP to be an invaluable introduction to medical statistics. The program provided a great foundation for breaking down complex data analysis and a deeper understanding of ANZDATA [Registry] data. I am particularly grateful for the Epi Fellow's mentorship. Having dedicated guidance was incredibly beneficial, especially for validating statistical methodologies and identifying clinically relevant outcomes. Thank you for organizing such well-structured program."

The projects are selected based on the following criteria

• Trainees working as a Advanced Trainee and registered with the RACP Nephrology Advanced Training program with the aim of completing the research project for submission to fulfil training requirements
• Trainees based at hospitals/institutions without local statistical or research support
• Trainees will be selected by delegates from ANZDATA and ANZSN
• Preference is given to trainees in their first or second year, with the intention of supporting completion of the research project required for training
• Priority is also given to those trainees from units without established biostatistical support

Five projects are selected each year to receive epidemiological and statistical support to answer important research questions related to dialysis and kidney transplantation priority areas

Dr Jessica Fraser is a Nephrology Trainee with the Tasmanian Health Service. As a graduate of the University of Tasmania who completed her Basic Physician Training at Launceston General Hospital, Jess has a strong interest in improving kidney health outcomes in Tasmania. Under the supervision of Associate Professor Rajesh Raj, her ANZDATA project will examine outcomes in patients returning to peritoneal dialysis after temporary transfer to haemodialysis, with the aim of improving understanding of dialysis pathway outcomes long-term. Jess’s goals in the ANZSN and ANZDATA ATRP program are to gain more research experience and improve her understanding of statistical analyses.   Jess will be joining the ANZDATA Peritoneal Dialysis Working Group as an Honorary Working Group Member for 2026.

Dr Julia Donald is a paediatric Nephrology Trainee currently based at the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. She will be undertaking a project looking at predictors of outcome in paediatric kidney transplantation, focused on the KDPI, under the supervision of Dr Hugh McCarthy. Julia says she is “thrilled to have the support of the ANZSN and ANZDATA ATRP Program and is looking forward to learning how to handle larger datasets and more complex statistical analyses.”

Julia will be joining the ANZDATA Paediatric Working Group as an Honorary Working Group Member for 2026.

Dr Varun Kotay is a Nephrology Trainee at Alfred Health. He is supervised by Dr Peggy Teh for his project to assess how donor and centre-level factors influence long-term follow-up after living kidney donation. Varun is excited to learn more about study design, statistical analysis and build skills his research skills in the ANZSN and ANZDATA ATRP Program.  Varun will be joining the Living Kidney Donor Working Group as an Honorary Working Group Member for 2026

Dr Stephanie Lam is a Nephrology Trainee at Austin Health, with previous training at Eastern Health and Launceston General Hospitals. Stephanie is supervised by A/Prof Kathryn Ducharlet for her project exploring factors influencing survival duration after dialysis withdrawal. Stephanie hopes that the ANZSN and ANZDATA ATRP Program will enhance her research and statistics skillset, to equip her with the skills for higher degree research.  Stephanie will be joining the ANZDATA Haemodialysis Working Group as an Honorary Working Group Member for 2026.

Output: ANZSN ASM 2026 (Oral)

Dr Kate Richards is a Nephrology Trainee at the John Hunter Hospital. She is supervised by Associate Professor Franca Gois and Dr Eswari Vilayur for her project investigating peritoneal dialysis outcomes in culturally and linguistically diverse populations in Australia. Through participating in the ANZSN and ANZDATA ATRP program, Kate hopes to acquire the statistical skills required to manage and analyse large datasets. Kate is looking forward to learning about the ANZDATA Registry, collaborating with and learning from other Advanced Trainees and the Clinical Epidemiology Fellow in the ATRP Program.  Kate will be joining the ANZDATA Peritoneal Dialysis Working Group as an Honorary Working Group Member for 2026.