Focus on Your Future:
PhD and MD-PhD
Programs and
Research Careers
Elise Covic, PhD (University of Chicago, Dean of Students MSTP)
Sean Crosson, PhD (University of Chicago, Assoc Professor, T32 PI)
TWD Program Director’s Meeting Chantilly, VA June 4, 2015
What
is Biomedical Research,
really?
•
It is finding out how cells work
in health
in disease
•
It is mostly done in the lab
But not always
•
It can be hard work
It can also be fun!
•
You have to be well trained and patient
•
You have to ask a lot of questions
Biomedical Research
PhD MD/PhD MD
Physical Sciences Basic Biological Sciences Quantitative Sciences Disease-Specific Research Patient-Oriented Research Improve healthWho are biomedical scientists?
People who…
• are fascinated by human biology and disease
• have an aptitude for science
•
are curious about how/why things work the way they do•
are creative•
have the persistence to see a project from small beginnings to great discoveriesBiomedical scientists want to use the power of research to understand and cure human disease
How can I find out more about
research?
•
Explore science, and find out if you like doing it
•
Summer undergraduate research
Programs
Informal arrangement
•
Research at undergraduate institutions
•
Meet people who are doing science
Students
Post-docs
Leaders of laboratories
•
Maybe…just maybe, you will find out that you want to
be a scientist
Where are biomedical scientists
trained?
In
PhD biomedical sciences programs
and
In MD-PhD programs
You will find PhD programs in
:
•
University graduate schools of arts and sciences•
…and in medical schoolsYou will find MD-PhD programs in medical schools
What are graduate programs looking for?
•
Applicants with integrity and maturity who show:
o
Objectivity, honesty, sound principles
o
Ability to articulate (communication) information
oAbility to integrate (think) information
o
An aptitude for working with others
•
Good academic records, including GPA & GRE
scores
•
Science major and advanced courses in the
sciences
Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5…
PhD
What should I expect in graduate
school?
www.aamc.org/phd
Coursework Professional Development
Rotations Dissertation (Thesis) Research Select Mentor &
Advisers Writing About and Presenting Your Research Qualifying
What about financial aid?
• Stipend and Full tuition remission
• Health Insurance
• Other benefits
www.aamc.org/phd
As a PhD student in biomedical sciences,
you will receive:
What can I be with a PhD?
The PhD degree leads to careers in:
•
Medical and basic science research
•
Drug design and discovery
•
Education (at all levels)
•Consulting
•
Law
•
Business and finance
•Science policy
•
Science writing
www.aamc.org/phd
Where might I work someday?
Research and research
administration
Research institutions
Academic medical centers
Pharmaceutical companies
Biotechnology companies
Education – at every level
Medical school or University
Undergraduate – college professor
High school, middle school
Career pathways…
Science communications
- Written and electronic media
Science policy
BS/BA
Post-Bac / Research Training
PhD or MD-PhD
Research Training
On the Job Experience
What if I don’t know if this is right for me?
There are many paths to the PhD and MD-PhD…
Graduate Courses
Master’s Degree in Science
www.aamc.org/phd
PREP
MD-PhD:
Is it Right for Me?
•
Training & Career Paths
What is a physician-scientist?
•
Men and women who are trained as both physicians and
investigators.
•
Spend most of their professional time doing research and
applying research.
•
Many of them also take care of patients and do research
that is tied to human biology and human disease.
•
Work at academic medical centers, research institutes,
industry and government.
Physician-scientists are chimeras who blend
the discovery of new knowledge
with clinical medicine
at the intersection of science and medicine
MD-PhD programs
•
Goal: Preparing you for a career that combines research and clinical care, with an emphasis on research.•
Curriculum mixes MD and PhD training to complete both degrees 7 or 8 years.•
Many PhD choices are possible, but not everything.•
≈75 active MD-PhD programs in the U.S.•
≈1800 apply each year. ≈600 accepted.•
Paying for it: Can be free. Most programs offer extensive financial support.Other ways to become a
physician-scientist
•
Go to medical school to become a physician. Do
research during and after.
This used to be the only way.What happens afterwards?
• >90% of graduates do additional clinical training.
• Followed by more research training
Academia, 68% Research
Institute, 5% Industry,
8%
Private Practice,
16%
Other, 3%
Brass et al., Acad. Med 85: 692 (2010)
What happens afterwards?
Who are the successful candidates?
•
Men and women with integrity and maturity who show:
Concern for others Leadership
An aptitude for working with others
•Substantial research experience
•Strong academic record including MCAT scores
•Other important stuff
•Personal statement – why MD-PhD?
•Letters of recommendation (from research mentors) •Experience in caring for others
Where can I find more information?
•
www.aamc.org/phd
•
www.aamc.org/md-phd
•
NIH.gov/training
•
Role models
•
Knowledgeable people who care about you:
Directors and Mentors (Summer Program and Post-Bac) Professors and Lab Heads and Department Chairs
Graduate Students and Post-Docs Career Advising Offices
And of course, the PhD and MD-PhD Program Directors
Meet program directors
at the fair today!
www.aamc.org/phd
MD-PhD
programs merge medicine and science
Mostly Med School Some Grad School Mostly GradSchool Some Grad
School Some Med School
Years 1-2 Years 3-6 Years 7-8
Mostly Med School
Preclinical years (1 – 2)
•Medical sciences & explore research opportunities (lab rotations)
Research years (3 - 6) Complete PhD thesis
•Conduct dissertation research with opportunities for clinical experiences
