Graduate education is an integral part of the Lamy Center's research activities. The Center offers training opportunities for promising graduate students in the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Ph.D. degree offered by the Pharmaceutical Health Services Research Department at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Research assistants work closely with Center faculty and staff to conduct seminal research in the area of prescription drug use by older adults.

This one-year program is designed to integrate doctoral-level training with outcomes research. The Fellow works under the joint mentorship of Novartis and senior graduate faculty affiliated with the Lamy Center. Work activities are primarily (but not exclusively) related to designated research projects jointly developed by the two parties. The Fellowship offers tuition remission, a full-time research assistantship (20 hours per week) and opportunities for applying research principles to practical project work.

At any one time between 3 and 5 graduate students are supported by research grants and contracts through the Lamy Center. Following are example of current and recent projects with graduate student support:

"Coverage, Access, and Use of Prescription Drugs by Disabled Medicare Beneficiaries." Co-funded by The Commonwealth Fund and the Kaiser Family Foundation, (2001)

"Prescription Drug Access for Rural Seniors," PhARMA. (2001)

"Epidemiology of Dementia in Aged Nursing Home Admissions," NIA, R01 AG08211. (2001-2004)

"Exposure to Potentially Harmful Medications Among Community-Dwelling Elderly," The Commonwealth Fund. (2001)

"Analysis of Drug Coverage in 1997 MCBS," DHHS, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Contract No. BPA-OS-00-0220-A. (2000-2001)

"Prescription Costs for Medicare Beneficiaries: What We Know and What We Need to Know." DHHS, Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation. Contract No. SA-00-0064. (1999-2000)

"Addressing the Costs of Prescription Drugs for Medicare Beneficiaries." The Commonwealth Fund. (1999-2000)