University of New Mexico Leading Equity and Diversity in the Medical Scientist Training Program (UNM LEAD MSTP)

University Of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr, Albuquerque NM

Investigators

Abstract

The UNM Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) will build on a tradition of excellent outcomes to train the next generation of clinician scientists needed to advance biomedical sciences for improving health outcomes.  The UNM MD/PhD program has previously graduated 23 students with both degrees and has a >90% completion rate for both degrees (100% for PhD only). Past trainees have completed both degrees in an average of 7.9 years with an average of 5.2 publications and 2.2 first author publications. 100% of graduates remain engaged in the biomedical research enterprise with varied amounts of clinical practice.   The UNM Health Sciences Center (HSC) has recently undergone transformational leadership and institutional changes and has committed to furthering the health of our surrounding communities through education, research, workforce, and healthcare delivery systems. The UNM HSC has committed to increasing the total MD/PhD program size to approximately 40 trainees within 5 years. Program expansion efforts began two years ago, and we expect to have 20 trainees at the start of the first project period. The Program Mission is to provide outstanding training for the next generation of clinician scientists. Through the following objectives, the UNM MSTP will enhance the translational research ecosystem to provide unique and highly relevant training opportunities that respond directly to emerging research fields and healthcare needs, improve satisfaction in training and persistence in clinician scientist careers. Objective 1: Recruit students to the UNM MSTP from NM and beyond to build the biomedical and clinician scientist workforce in surrounding communities. Objective 2: Incorporate topics of developing innovation into the training programs. Objective 3: Build on the existing MD/PhD program to provide rigorous clinical training with exceptional predoctoral research training. Objective 4: Support and retain trainees throughout all stages of the program with a goal of >90% of matriculants completing the program. Objective 5: Expand alumni engagement efforts to expand the clinician scientist community at UNM and to support efficient transition to independent investigator positions. Our specific goal is yearly engagement with >80% of graduates. Objective 6: Ensure robust mechanisms for continuous program evaluation and improvement.   This Multiple PI/PD proposal will build on strong predoctoral training in the Biomedical Sciences Graduate Program to incorporate PhD training opportunities in Population Health, Bioengineering, and Computational Sciences. We will provide a student-centered, integrated training experience that builds on past successes to develop exceptional clinician scientists who are prepared to address difficult issues in translational research. Â