In 1985 I expressed my concern about the demise of the clinician scientist.1 The classic clinical scientist was one who, through clinical investigation, could bridge the gap between basic science and the practice of medicine. In recent years the opportunities for critical investigation continue to exist but the monies available for such research are limited. The reduction in research support budgets of national research-sponsoring agencies and the high cost of performing investigative studies have contributed significantly to this trend. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that we are now seeing a reduction in the number of junior investigators in academic pediatrics.
A junior investigator is defined in terms of years of training and not by age. The junior investigator is a person who has completed a 3-year pediatric residency plus 3 or more years of training in a pediatric subspecialty. The postresidency training