Medical Scientist Training Program

University Of Miami School Of Medicine, Coral Gables FL

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

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 Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UMMSM) is to provide a rich and supportive training environment that fosters the development of highly motivated and goal-oriented physician scientists who will pursue careers matching state of the art research with evidence-based medicine. The Miller School is fully positioned to ensure the success of the MSTP. The continuous expansion of basic and clinical funded research, the establishment of several new NIH funded Centers and training grants, the Institutional investment in new infrastructure and core facilities over the last 10 years, make UMMSM an outstanding place for MSTP training. Students are recruited from colleges and universities throughout the US and are selected through a merit-based review process. The award of a MSTP T32 in 2017 has increased the number and quality of our applications and has also facilitated stronger institutional and programmatic leadership support, resulting in a 30% increase in the program size in 5 years. The Program is well integrated with the newly established UMMSM NextGenMD curriculum that highly values scholarly activities. This curriculum allows MSTP students to complete their dual degree in 7-8 years, and effectively incorporates PhD training after exposure to both preclinical coursework (14 months) and clinical clerkships (1st 6 months). Students are able to select among PhD training programs in eight interdisciplinary Programs in Biomedical Sciences and Biomedical Engineering. Graduate training that confers the development of competencies needed to carry out rigorous and ethical research and MSTP support of formal training to enhance productive mentor-mentee relationships are complemented by a series of other MSTP activities enhancing skills necessary to build a solid physician scientist unique identity. These include a journal club for MSTP students in their early years of medical school, longitudinal clinical experiences during graduate training which includes exposure to clinical research related activities, and student-led activities that bring together all MSTP students, such as monthly Scientific & Professional Development Workshops, monthly Clinical Case Reviews, annual MSTP Student Research Symposium, annual Retreat and other career development. Measurable outcomes of the program include, among others, strong publication records, high success rates of NRSA fellowship applications, and excellent residency matches. Overall, the MSTP provides an integrated training experience that fosters a true passion for learning to generate and translate innovative research to medicine.