Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program 2025-2030

University Of Michigan At Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor MI

Investigators

Abstract

Enter the text here that is the new abstract information for your application. This section must be no longer than 30 lines of text. The goal of the University of Michigan Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) is to identify and train outstanding physician scientist trainees to be leaders in academic medicine with a focus on translational and basic biomedical research directly related to clinical medicine. To accomplish this goal, the MSTP provides an evidence-based, integrated curriculum of MD/PhD training in which directors and faculty provide guidance through all stages of training. Founded in 1979, there are currently 103 students and 291 graduates. U-M’s large annual investment reflects its commitment to excellence in physician scientist training that provides resources, enrichment activities and a dedicated program administrative team. Policies are in place to review the training faculty of 110 junior, senior scientists and physician scientists to ensure they have sufficient time, mentorship training and the necessary commitment to maintaining a safe research training environment. The MSTP aims to identify trainees who 1) are committed to a physician scientist career, 2) have the necessary academic potential, 3) have made the most of research experiences available to them, and 4) display the characteristics of curiosity, resilience, grit, and capacity to overcome adversity. The curriculum begins with a “basic science trunk” M1 year, and a “clinical trunk” M2 year during which students undertake the core clinical clerkships. In the typical progression, students complete the M1 and M2 years and take USMLE Step 1 and Step 2 prior to continuing graduate studies full time. An MSTP graduate level biochemistry course is taken as part of the M1 year. Trainees undertake a research rotation after M1 year and one or two rotations after the 2nd year. Current trainees have selected 21 different graduate programs, including 11 affiliated with U-M’s umbrella Program in Biological Sciences (PIBS), plus others such as Engineering, Economics, Philosophy, Anthropology, and Epidemiology. MSTP students receive training in the responsible conduct of research and scientific rigor and reproducibility. They engage in the MSTP longitudinal clinical preceptorship during the research phase and take a clinical refresher tutorial shortly before they return to clinical rotations. The integrated curriculum is complemented by academic seminars, and career development activities. 91% of graduates from 2003-2018 who have completed further training are employed in academia, biotech/pharmaceutical industries, or government agencies and most have been successful at competing for NIH funding. Our objectives over the next five years are 1) To continue our commitment to recruiting a talented pool of trainees, 2) to continuously review the program and employ quality improvement to maintain or reduce time to degree and 3) to ensure our trainees are guided by well-trained faculty mentors who will provide the necessary preparation and training to facilitate entry of our trainees into supportive postgraduate programs that will continue to support their training for careers that utilize the dual degree.