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James M. Slauch, PhD Director, Medical Scholars Program

James M. Slauch, PhD Director, Medical Scholars Program The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign. MD/PhD Training. Combined medical and research d egrees Primarily training for a career in research Physician Scientists What’s the point? Synergy

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James M. Slauch, PhD Director, Medical Scholars Program

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  1. James M. Slauch, PhD Director, Medical Scholars Program The University of Illinois College of Medicine at Urbana-Champaign

  2. MD/PhD Training • Combined medical and research degrees • Primarily training for a career in research • Physician Scientists • What’s the point? • Synergy • Physician-Scientists: • Use their clinical knowledge to frame and target their scientific efforts • Understand how advances in basic scientist can most readily be applied to clinical problems

  3. Careers for MD/PhDs • Most MD/PhDs receive the PhD in a biomedical lab discipline • Biochemistry, cell biology, genetics, immunology, neuroscience, bioengineering, etc • Some programs (like UIUC MSP) also allow PhDs in other disciplines: computational, health care policy, anthropology, history, etc • Most MD/PhDs have careers in academic medical centers or pharmaceutical companies. The deans and directors in Med Schools are often MD/PhDs • Goal: 70-80% research with clinical and perhaps teaching taking up the other 70% of your time

  4. MD/PhD Training • Combining MD and PhD but the route varies with the institution • Many have a “2-3-2” or “2-4-2” structure – Med-PhD-Med • UIUC MSP has PhD with 1st yr Med, then M2-M4 • Average time is ~8 years but this is strictly dependent on the research

  5. Then what? • Most MD/PhDs enter a clinical residency program • Medicine, pediatrics, pathology, neurology, etc • MD/PhDs are particularly attractive to many residency programs • Subspecialty training - Fellowship • Cardiology, Hemotology-Oncology, etc • Postdoctoral work • Transition back to mostly research

  6. Then what? • Growing number of “research residency programs” – built-in postdoctoral work • Transition into faculty position • NIH K awards • Training IS life • MD/PhD 8 yrs; Residency/Fellowship 3-7 yrs

  7. Applying to MD/PhD Programs • AMCAS Med School Application • Check “MD/PhD” • Brings up two additional essays • Why do you want to be an MD/PhD? • Describe your research experience • Secondary applications for med school • Some MD/PhD programs ask for additional information/application • Most programs accept the MCAT in lieu of GRE • Letters of recommendation

  8. Admissions • What makes a successful MD/PhD candidate? • MCAT scores • GPA • Research Experience • Letters of Recommendation • Essays • Extracurricular Activities • Qualified applicants are invited for an interview • Could be both basic science and clinical faculty

  9. The Standard Student • 3.7 GPA • 34 MCAT • Research Experience • Usually always intended to practice medicine • Discovered research • Realized that they could have it all

  10. Financial Support • There are 120 MD/PhD programs in the country • Most fully fund their students: tuition and stipend • About 46 are “MSTP” • Supported by NIH training grant • Doesn’t actually pay for all the students in the program • Students are funded by other training grants, research grants, TAs, etc.

  11. What I Look for In a Candidate • Clear, well-written statements that focus on research experience • Letters of recommendation – particularly from the research advisor • Be able to explain your research projects in detail and be aware of other projects going on in your lab. • Look up faculty ahead of time

  12. What Should You Do • Get some research experience! -Even if you just plan on Medical School • Summer research programs

  13. For more information • AAMC • www.aamc.org • APSA • www.physicianscientists.org • Contact us – we’re happy to help • mspo@illinois.edu • 217/333-8146

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