md phd track

MSTP MD-PhD Program

Mstp admissions and eligibility.

The Medical Scientist Training Program MD-PhD Admissions process

Stanford's MSTP is interested in identifying students with significant undergraduate research experience that would predict successful completion of a PhD program. In addition, our successful candidates must meet the standards expected of the very best MD candidates. The Stanford Medical Scientist Training Program admissions process utilizes the same application, process and all policies as the MD-only application. For information regarding the Stanford School of Medicine’s MD Admissions process, policies and eligibility, please visit the How to Apply page. For specific questions regarding the application process, please contact Stanford's MD Admissions directly at [email protected].

Updates to an application   will be accepted only after an applicant has been invited to interview . Interview decisions are made based on information submitted in the AMCAS application, Stanford Supplemental Application, and letters of recommendation.

It is important that we maintain a consistent and equitable standard for all applications to be considered with the same basis of information. If applicable, additional information can be submitted after the day of your interview.

When submitting additional information, please indicate that you have been interviewed or we may not include updates with your file. Acceptable updates include any significant developments in scholarly endeavors or projects, or additional letters of recommendation. Please do not send additional coursework or transcripts unless we have specifically requested such information from you.The MSTP admissions process begins with submission of the AMCAS application. When an AMCAS application is received by the Office of MD Admissions, the information and instructions for completion of Stanford's supplementary application are made available. Once the application file is complete, it is first reviewed by members of the MSTP Admissions Committee. If an applicant is not chosen for an MSTP interview, his/her file is automatically routed to the MD Admissions Committee for consideration.

Eligibility

Academic recommendations for the MSTP follow the same criteria as admission to the MD Program.  Please see the  MD Admissions website  for information on Stanford University's Medical School Admissions academic recommendations . 

If you have matriculated in an MD or PhD program at another institution, you are not eligible to apply to the MSTP. The Stanford MD and MST Programs do not accept applications from students applying for transfer.  Stanford PhD students are eligible to apply through the AMCAS MD application process. 

Stanford’s MSTP  recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

Stanford’s MSTP welcomes applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review process is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, prior research experience, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field and how they might enrich the learning community at Stanford.

Students with disabilities are also encouraged to apply.  Students with disabilities actively participating in the various aspects of life at Stanford, are an essential part of our greater community. Stanford University has a strong commitment to maintaining a diverse and stimulating academic community, representing a broad spectrum of talents and experiences.  Stanford Medicine has a number of programs to support these goals. Both the Stanford School of Medicine and the Medical Scientist Training Program encourage those with diverse backgrounds and/or disabilites to apply. We do not discriminate and believe in the inclusion of all individuals. Our selection process is accessible for students with disabilities and reasonable and appropriate accommodations will be provided to ensure that people with disabilities have fair and equal opportunities to demonstrate their qualifications.

Admission to the Medical Scientist Training Program is contingent on acceptance to the Stanford University MD program, and the application process for both programs is collaborative.

Recommendation Letters

The MSTP Admissions Committee wants to see letters of recommendation from your research mentor, or mentors, addressing your experiences in the laboratory. A minimum of three and a maximum of six individual letters of recommendation is required. All letters must be written on official letterhead and signed by the recommender(s) or committee members. All letters of recommendation must be submitted through the AMCAS Letters Service. Please visit the AMCAS Letters Service site for instructions and more information.

International Students

The MSTP is not able to fund International Students . Stipend and tuition support from the MSTP can only be provided for U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Our federal funding restrictions do not permit us to support International Students. Unfortunately, self-support for PhD study is not an option.

Only International Students applying to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program may also apply to the Stanford MSTP. If applying to Knight-Hennessy, International Students may apply to the MSTP MD-PhD track at Stanford.

An International Student can still pursue a dual degree MD-PhD program here at Stanford outside of the Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program. The applicant must apply and be admitted separately to both degree programs. It is possible to receive support for PhD study from the specific PhD department or program. Please contact the particular PhD Program directly for PhD application procedures. International Students may be eligible for Institutional Financial Aid. Information on applying for financial aid for the MD program is available here .

Knight-Hennessy Scholars

Join dozens of  Stanford MD and PhD students  who gain valuable leadership skills in a multidisciplinary, multicultural community as  Knight-Hennessy Scholars   (KHS). KHS admits up to 100 select applicants each year from across Stanford’s seven graduate schools, and delivers engaging experiences that prepare them to be visionary, courageous, and collaborative leaders ready to address complex global challenges. As a scholar, you join a distinguished cohort, participate in up to three years of leadership programming, and receive full funding for up to three years of your graduate studies at Stanford. Candidates of any country may apply. KHS applicants must have earned their first undergraduate degree within the last seven years, and must apply to both a Stanford graduate program and to KHS. Stanford PhD students may also apply to KHS during their first year of PhD enrollment. If you aspire to be a leader in your field, we invite you to apply. The KHS application deadline is October 11, 2023. Learn more about  KHS admission .

DACA or Undocumented Applicants

Stanford has actively supported the DREAM Act legislation since its introduction in 2001, which would enable undocumented students to continue their education and apply for citizenship.  Stanford also supports Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), an executive action signed by former President Barack Obama, which allowed some undocumented individuals who entered the United States as children to remain in the country.  We are among the more than 600 colleges and universities that have signed a letter in support of DACA.

Individuals who have been granted DACA at the time of application are eligible to apply and matriculate to Stanford Medicine.  Additionally, individuals who have met all other requirements and are otherwise undocumented are permitted to apply and matriculate to Stanford Medicine.  http://immigration.stanford.edu/

Equal Access to the School of Medicine’s Educational Program

Stanford Medicine intends for its students and graduates to become competent and compassionate physicians who are capable of entering residency training (graduate medical education) and meeting all requirements for medical licensure.

Stanford Medicine has an institutional commitment to provide equal educational opportunities for qualified students with disabilities who apply for admission to the MD degree program or who are enrolled as medical students. Stanford Medicine is a leader in student diversity and individual rights, with a strong commitment to full compliance with state and federal laws and regulations (including the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and California law (Civil code 51 and 54). A “qualified person with a disability” is an individual with a disability who meets the academic and technical standards requisite to admission or participation in Stanford Medicine’s educational programs, with or without accommodations. Admitted candidates with disabilities are reviewed individually, on a case-by-case basis, with a complete and careful consideration of all the skills, attitudes, and attributes of each candidate to determine whether there are any reasonable accommodations or available options that would permit the candidate to satisfy the standards.

Stanford’s Policy on Non-Discrimination

Stanford University admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or marital status to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the University. Consistent with its obligations under the law, Stanford prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, marital status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in the administration of the University's programs and activities; Stanford also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding this nondiscrimination policy: Director of the Diversity and Access Office, Mariposa House, 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-8230; (650) 723-0755 (voice), (650) 723-1791 (fax),  [email protected]  (email). Stanford’s Title IX Coordinator, Cathy Glaze, has been designated to handle inquiries regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence: Mariposa House (2nd floor), 585 Capistrano Way, Stanford, CA 94305, (650) 497-4955 (voice), (650) 497-9257 (fax),  [email protected] (email).

Stanford’s Institute of Equity and Access Office

The Office of Diversity and Access  within the Institute of Equity and Access is the campus office designated to work with Stanford students with disabilities, at both the undergraduate and graduate levels (including the professional schools). The Office provides a wide array of support services, accommodations, and programs to remove barriers to full participation in the life of the University. Institute of Equity and Access Office, Kingscote Gardens, 419 Lagunita Drive, 1st floor Suite 130, Stanford Univeristy, Stanford, CA 94305, Phone: 650-723-1066.

Diversity & Inclusion

Stanford’s MSTP recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

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MD-PhD Program

Our mission.

Our mission is to provide students with integrated training in clinical medicine and research that qualifies them to perform at the highest standards as rigorous clinicians and scientists; to create a diverse and inclusive physician-scientist community to support and mentor trainees along axes of personal identity, clinical discipline and research domain; to cultivate the characteristics of curiosity, creativity, compassion and service in our trainees; and to develop skills associated with success in a broad range of physician-scientist research careers through experiential learning.

Our commitment to diversity & inclusion

Director's welcome: yale md-phd program, message from the director.

Whether you are a prospective or current student, alumnus, faculty or staff member, you are here because of a shared interest in how physician-scientists can advance patient care through their unique and rigorous training in both clinical medicine and research.

Here at Yale, we have world-class scientists and clinicians engaged in basic, translational and clinical research that runs from sub-atomic bonds to the bonds that hold society together, and everything in between. Our students come from diverse backgrounds, with different scientific and clinical interests, but share the desire to make an impact through their work and practice. Our program has didactic, clinical and research opportunities within divisions, departments and schools that span the entire University. I am glad to report that the Yale System still lives and continues to promote a culture of independence of thought, creativity, mission and service among our collaborative students and faculty. I am very proud of our past and current students who do groundbreaking research that leads to advances in medicine.

I hope you take a moment to learn more about our program from these web pages, or by contacting any of our students, faculty or staff. If you are a student who is ready to accept the challenges, responsibilities and rewards of preparing for a career that makes a positive impact on human health and well-being, I invite you to apply to our MD-PhD program. We hope that you will become part of the Yale MD-PhD family, and join us in celebrating our 50th anniversary in 2020!

With warm regards,

Barbara Kazmierczak, MD PhD Professor of Medicine & Microbial Pathogenesis Gustavus and Louise Pfeiffer Research Foundation MD-PhD Program Director

Pros and Cons of the MD-PhD Degree

• By Lawrence Wang
• August 17, 2018
• Medical Student , Pre-med
• Clinical Rotations , Dual Degree , Research , Residency

“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.”                                  -Robert Frost

Do you have an interest/background in medicine and research , but balk at the prospect of spending eight years getting the MD-PhD degree? You can theoretically do all the same things (i.e. see patients and run a research lab) with only an MD degree. There are plenty of MD’s out there who are successful physician-scientists, and the MD-PhD  is certainly the less common path, the road less traveled. So why bother getting a PhD as well?

These are all great questions, worth a fair amount of thought and reflection. Pursuing the rewarding, competitive, and singular pathway of a combined MD-PhD degree is a major decision that warrants a critical evaluation of its associated pros and cons.  So without further ado, let’s dive right in.

Pros of the MD-PhD Degree

1 | fully funded.

Medical school is expensive, with the average medical student graduating in 2017 with a debt of nearly $200,000 . In contrast, many MD-PhD students graduate debt-free and may even have a small nest egg saved away. This is because Medical Scientist Training Programs (MSTP) and many non-MSTP MD-PhD programs waive tuition and provide stipends to their students that are comparable to a biology graduate student stipend (~$30,000 of disposable income a year). The stipend is adjusted to match the cost of living in the city in which your school is located.

2 | Options for Fast-Tracking

MD-PhD’s enjoy specialized tracks that enable them to shorten their PhD and residency training. The PhD portion of the dual degree is an average of 4 years (vs. an average of 5-6 years for single degree PhD’s in the biomedical sciences).

Furthermore, MD-PhD graduates can “short-track” their residency into fellowship training. In the case of the three-year internal medicine residency, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) has a pathway that enables residents with a demonstrated potential for basic science or clinical research to spend only two years doing clinical training before returning to full-time research . These so-called “research residencies” are typically populated by MD-PhD’s, with a few MD-MPH/MD-MS/MD graduates that have strong research credentials thrown into the mix.

3 | Competitiveness for Funding to Start a Lab

According to an NIH report about physician-scientists , MD-PhD’s overall had higher award rates for research program grants (RPGs) (24.6%) than MD’s (21.7%, p<0.01) or PhD’s (21.4%, p<0.01). Furthermore, the award rate for MD-PhD’s from an MSTP program was nearly three times higher than that for MD/PhD’s not from an MSTP program (36.2% vs. 12.3%). If you are interested in more details, there is a wealth of outcomes data in this report as well as the  AAMC National MD-PhD Program Outcomes Study .

Cons of the MD-PhD Degree

1 | delayed autonomy.

The additional four years that an MD-PhD student invests in obtaining a PhD represent a significant opportunity cost (time and money). The ramifications of this can be broad. For example, an MD-PhD student living on a graduate student stipend may not have the financial autonomy to start a family until after they obtain an income (and free time!) commensurate to their training level. Furthermore, the average age of young investigators obtaining their first RPG’s continues to rise (44.3 years for MD-PhD’s, 43.8 years for MD’s, and 41.9 years for PhD’s in 2014) . The path of an academic researcher, especially an MD-PhD, creates an extreme delay in full professional autonomy.

2 | Disjointed Training

MD-PhDs are often likened to chimeras in their duality, which is exemplified by the disjointed path to obtaining the MD-PhD degree.

Students typically complete the first two pre-clinical years of medical school, transition to a 4-year PhD program, and then return to medical school to finish the last two clinical years before graduating with their dual degree. Subsequently, most pursue residency and fellowship training in their chosen medical specialties before finally becoming principal investigators (PIs) of a lab. This disjointed pathway forces many MD-PhD’s to play catch-up when they inevitably fall behind in either medicine or research. For instance, a common issue for MD-PhD’s is that their research skills become outdated when they return to clinical training for a number of years during the latter half of medical school and residency.

3| Balancing Clinical and Research Commitments

Juggling the considerable responsibilities of caring for patients and managing research projects can be challenging. Physician-scientists working at academic medical centers may be incentivized (or even pressured) to spend more time seeing patients, a task that earns more revenue for both the physician-scientist and the medical center. It also requires significant time and money for physician-scientists to maintain their clinical skills and board certifications. Consequently, many MD-PhD’s eventually dedicate themselves to either medicine or research and unfortunately let their less-used skill set fade into irrelevance.

Final Remarks

Any aspiring student considering a dual MD-PhD degree should think deeply and critically about whether this demanding career path is right for them. There are pros and cons to getting the MD-PhD degree, some of which may be deal-makers or deal-breakers. Ultimately, I see MD-PhD’s as chimeras walking a road less traveled, obtaining unique toolkits to address gaps in the existing body of medical knowledge and therapies. If this aligns with your goals, it can be an outstanding career!

If you are considering an MD-PhD degree but are unsure, please consider the Med School Insiders  general advising services . We have advisers who have completed this degree and can give you  detailed, real-world advice and feedback!

Lawrence Wang

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Biomedical Sciences (PhD) – MD/PhD Track

Program at a glance.

• In State Tuition
• Out of State Tuition

Learn more about the cost to attend UCF.

The College of Medicine offers an integrated MD/PhD curriculum that enables students to fulfill all requirements and earn the Doctor of Medicine and the Doctor of Philosophy.

This program provides opportunity for MD students to obtain advanced research and training experience and for PhD students to obtain medical training. The program develops physician-scientists with preparation for both academic research and teaching careers. Physician-scientists are in an excellent position to facilitate bench-to-bedside translation of applicable research findings.

Students must fulfill all requirements for both programs to earn both the MD and PhD degrees. As indicated in the curriculum description, some medical modules can be substituted for certain graduate courses and vice versa to help reduce redundancy and streamline time to completion of this integrated program. Students will be able to complete the MD/PhD program in as few as 6 years, although most students will likely require 7-8 years to fulfill all of the requirements. An MD/PhD program committee consisting of faculty from both the medical and graduate programs will serve as the oversight committee responsible for tracking and evaluating student progress in this program.

Students in the integrated MD/PhD Track in Biomedical Sciences must be accepted in the College of Medicine MD program and begin working on their PhD research project during the first two years of medical school. Students take medical courses during the first two years and must successfully pass the USMLE Step 1 exam at the end of year 2 prior to beginning full-time graduate studies in the Biomedical Sciences PhD Program. Required and elective graduate courses for the PhD program are completed in years 3-4 while the student is continuing research. Clinical clerkships that are typically completed in years 3-4 of medical school will in most cases be deferred until the student has completed the PhD program requirements, though some minimum level of ongoing clinical training will continue throughout the entire duration of the program. This ensures that the student remains connected with clinical education and training even while primarily focused on the graduate portion of the MD/PhD program.

The Biomedical Sciences PhD program requires a minimum of 72 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree, including a minimum total of 27 hours of formal course work exclusive of independent study that are required. The 72 credit hours in the PhD program consists of 23 credit hours of core courses, 12 credit hours of electives, and a minimum of 15 credit hours of dissertation research. The remaining 22 credit hours may consist of additional electives, doctoral research and/or dissertation research. Students entering with a master's degree may request that up to 30 semester credit hours of previous course work be waived as degree requirements with approval from the dissertation committee.

The MD curriculum can be found here: http://med.ucf.edu/academics/md-program/integrated-curriculum/ .

Programmatic deficiencies expected of applicants from diverse settings will be addressed early in the program by completion of appropriate course work. Students may register for doctoral research until they have been admitted to candidacy, after which they must register for dissertation research.

New students will rotate through at least two different laboratories to identify a faculty mentor/sponsor and research area of interest for their dissertation. Finally, a sequence of required seminars will familiarize students with field-related literature and introduce them to the conceptual and technical frameworks in which they will work. All students receiving assistantships must enroll full time.

MD/PhD students are required to maintain good academic standing in both the MD and PhD components of the curriculum. Students must first satisfactorily complete the first two years of the medical school curriculum and pass the USMLE Step 1 exam before they can begin full-time PhD enrollment.

Application Deadlines

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Track Prerequisites

Applicants entering the program with regular status are expected to have completed course work required for a bachelor's degree in chemistry, cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, molecular biology or microbiology.

Degree Requirements

Required courses.

• BMS6001 - Cellular Function and Medical Genetics (5)
• BSC6433 - Biomedical Sciences II (5)
• BSC6431 - Practice of Biomedical Sciences (3)
• IDS6694 - Experimental Design and Analysis in Biomedical Sciences (2)
• Earn at least 2 credits from the following types of courses: IDS 7690 - Frontiers in Biomedical Sciences 1 Credit Hours (two semesters, 1 credit hour each semester)
• Earn at least 4 credits from the following types of courses: IDS 7692L - Experiments in Biomedical Sciences (Lab Rotation: 3 credits/first semester, 1 credit/2nd semester)

Elective Courses

• At least 12 hours of electives must be taken from the following list. Any electives not on this list must be approved by the Graduate Committee before being counted toward degree credit requirements. Directed research, doctoral research and dissertation research may be used to satisfy requirements beyond the first 12 hours, with approval from the program director. Students successfully completing the first year of medical school at UCF may substitute the following medical modules to fulfill the elective course requirement: BMS 6006 - Health and Disease 5 Credit Hours BMS 6050 - Psychosocial Issues in Healthcare 4 Credit Hours BMS 6631 - Hematology and Oncology 4 Credit Hours Others: If approved by the Graduate Committee.
• BSC5418 - Tissue Engineering (3)
• BSC5436 - Biomedical Informatics : Structure Analysis (3)
• BSC6407C - Laboratory Methods in Molecular Biology (3)
• CAP5510 - Bioinformatics (3)
• CHM5305 - Bioconjugate Chemistry (3)
• CHM5450 - Polymer Chemistry (3)
• CHM5451C - Techniques in Polymer Science (3)
• CHS6251 - Applied Organic Synthesis (3)
• CHS6535 - Forensic Molecular Biology (3)
• CHS6535L - Forensic Analysis of Biological Materials (3)
• CHS6536 - Population Genetics and Genetic Data (3)
• GEB5516 - Technological Entrepreneurship (3)
• IDS5127 - Foundation of Bio-Imaging Science (3)
• MCB5205 - Infectious Processes (3)
• MCB5208 - Cellular Microbiology: Host-Pathogen Interactions (3)
• MCB5225 - Molecular Biology of Disease (3)
• MCB5505 - Molecular Virology (3)
• MCB5722C - Methods in Biotechnology (4)
• MCB5932 - Current Topics in Molecular Biology (1 - 99)
• MCB5937 - Special Topics (1 - 99)
• MCB6226 - Molecular Diagnostics (3)
• MCB6417C - Microbial Metabolism (3)
• PCB5025 - Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology (3)
• PCB5236 - Cancer Biology (3)
• PCB5238 - Immunobiology (3)
• PCB5265 - Stem Cell Biology (3)
• PCB5275 - Signal Transduction Mechanics (3)
• PCB5527 - Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (3)
• PCB5596 - Biomedical Informatics: Sequence Analysis (3)
• PCB5815 - Molecular Aspects of Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism (3)
• PCB5838 - Cellular and Molecular Basis of Brain Functions (3)
• PCB6528 - Plant Molecular Biology (3)
• PCB6595 - Regulation of Gene Expression (3)
• PCB6677 - Molecular Evolution and Phylogenetics (3)
• ZOO5748C - Clinical Neuroanatomy (5)

Unrestricted Electives

• Earn at least 24 credits from the following types of courses: Students should take 24 credit hours of electives, directed research, doctoral research or dissertation research, in consultation with their adviser.

Dissertation

• Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: IDS 7980 - Dissertation Research 15 Credit Hours

Cumulative/Qualifying Examinations

• Cumulative examinations will determine if students should continue with their doctoral studies. Four exams will be given by program faculty members during the second year. Each exam will consist of four questions set by different faculty members to evaluate the student's ability to interpret data, formulate a hypothesis based on the data presented, and effectively design a series of experiments using biomedical science approaches to test their hypothesis. Performance will be evaluated by the graduate exam committee. A student must satisfactorily answer 10 cumulative questions out of 16 to be eligible to continue in the PhD program.

Candidacy Examination

• Candidacy will consist of writing and orally defending a proposal outlining a novel research idea to the dissertation committee. The written proposal will be prepared independently, following NIH-style grant format, and must be approved by the dissertation committee (see Biomedical Sciences PhD Program description for full description of Candidacy Exam requirements and procedures). After passing the candidacy examination and meeting other requirements as specified, the student can register for dissertation hours.

Admission to Candidacy

• The following are required to be admitted to candidacy and enroll in dissertation hours: Successfully complete a minimum of 48 credit hours. Successful completion of Academic Integrity requirements. Successful completion of all coursework, except for dissertation hours. Successful completion of candidacy. Successful defense of the written dissertation proposal. The dissertation advisory committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars. Submission of an approved program of study.

Dissertation Defense

• The dissertation should be of significant scope and depth such that the work has made significant advances in the area of biomedical science. The Ph.D. dissertation research must generate sufficient quantity and quality data to support a minimum of two original manuscripts (first-authored by the student) in a mainstream journal in the field. One first-author original research article published or accepted for publication is required for pre-defense. In addition to meeting the pre-defense requirement for publication, a second manuscript must have been submitted and subjected to peer review before the defense. Upon completion and approval of the doctoral dissertation by all designated faculty and university offices, the student will make a formal presentation of the research findings in a seminar format to the dissertation committee and other university faculty and students. The candidate will answer questions and defend conclusions about the subject matter.

Independent Learning

• The dissertation serves as the independent learning experience.

Grand Total Credits: 72

Application requirements, financial information.

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.

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3-Year PhD-to-MD Program

Bring science from the lab bench to the hospital bedside for the betterment of mankind in our 3-Year PhD-to-MD program. PhD scientists in the biological sciences earn an MD degree and train for a career in biomedical investigation. The usual four-year medical school curriculum is modified to three years for students in this program, as follows:

• Preclinical courses: 16 months
• Major clinical year: 12 months
• Electives, board prep, and interviews: 5 months

In addition, the scholarly project requirement is waived. Students apply for residency in the middle of major clinical year. The medical training for this program is the same as that for Columbia's MD-PhD program. 

Read more on the Department of Medicine website . 

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Columbia Creates Fast-Track MD for PhD Scientists

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NEW YORK—Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons (P&S) has launched a three-year Doctor of Medicine (MD) program for PhD-trained biological scientists. The accelerated curriculum prepares graduates for physician-scientist careers that combine their knowledge of fundamental biomedical science with an understanding of how diseases and their treatments affect humans. The first students in the new program are expected to graduate in 2016.

“This program reflects our commitment to finding innovative ways to teach the clinical medicine of today, while preparing our students to discover the cures of tomorrow,” said Lee Goldman, MD, dean of the faculties of health sciences and medicine and executive vice president for health and biomedical sciences, CUMC.

a_physician-scientist_on_columbias_fast-track_phd-to-md_program

Donald W. Landry, MD, PhD , chair of the Department of Medicine at CUMC, who developed P&S’s PhD-to-MD program, said, “The skills acquired in the course of PhD and MD training are complementary; a PhD requires intense focus on a single area of research, while medical training requires mastery of the science across a broad range of topics.”

One of the nation's most research-intensive medical schools, P&S is consistently ranked among the best medical schools in the nation.

P&S PhD-to-MD Program Application Requirements and Curriculum

Applicants must hold a doctorate in a biological or related science and meet the same requirements as all applicants to P&S’s MD program.

“We are looking for exceptional candidates who are committed to pursuing research informed by clinical practice,” said Stephen W. Nicholas, MD , associate dean for admissions at P&S, professor of pediatrics at CUMC, and professor of population and family health at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health.

As part of the application process, prospective PhD-to-MD students meet with CUMC clinical-research faculty. These faculty members can speak to the dedication that a biomedical career requires and provide applicants with a sense of how they might contribute as physician-scientists.

Jonathan Barasch, MD, PhD , associate vice chair for research in the department of medicine and professor of medicine and of pathology and cell biology at CUMC, directs the PhD-to-MD program with Nicholas H. Fiebach, MD , vice chair for graduate and continuing medical education and professor of medicine at CUMC.

Students in the new three-year program will follow the same curriculum as the MD-only medical school class until the completion of their preclinical training, which lasts 18 months. Their clinical training, which lasts 16 months, includes their Major Clinical Year and electives. Because the PhD-to-MD students will already have demonstrated their scholarly skills in earning their PhD, the scholarly project requirement for the fourth year of medical school will be waived. Students will apply for residency during the Major Clinical Year; they will be encouraged to pursue the abbreviated residency training that some specialties offer to prospective physician-scientists.

Even though news of the program was communicated mostly by word of mouth, more than 40 candidates applied in early 2013. The four who enrolled took the Hippocratic Oath and accepted their white coats alongside the class of 2017 on Aug. 12, as part of the annual White Coat Ceremony for first-year P&S students.

The first students in the P&S PhD-to-MD program (from l to r.): Gloria Sheng, PhD; Siyan "Stewart" Cao, PhD; Li-Wei Change, PhD; and Matthew Fleming, PhD (credit: CUMC). As Dr. Sheng said, "In just the first few weeks of medical school, it's been great to see the integration with my science background. For example, I got to hear about a patient who had trouble synthesizing sugar, and realized that I'd read a paper about this type of condition during my doctoral work. I'm happy to realize that I don't have to give anything up to do what I want to do - can have a career that involves both science and medicine."

The program is in addition to the combined MD/PhD degree , which P&S has offered since the early 1970s.

About the P&S PhD-to-MD program: http://bit.ly/Phd_to_MD .

Columbia University Medical Center provides international leadership in basic, preclinical, and clinical research; medical and health sciences education; and patient care. The medical center trains future leaders and includes the dedicated work of many physicians, scientists, public health professionals, dentists, and nurses at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, the Mailman School of Public Health, the College of Dental Medicine, the School of Nursing, the biomedical departments of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and allied research centers and institutions. Columbia University Medical Center is home to the largest medical research enterprise in New York City and State and one of the largest faculty medical practices in the Northeast. For more information, visit cumc.columbia.edu or columbiadoctors.org .

Related links:

http://www.columbiamedicinemagazine.org/ps-news/spring-2013/goal-new-program-more-physician-scientists

http://www.columbiamedicinemagazine.org/features/spring-2013/inaugural-scholarly-projects

Kenneth Lim, MD, PhD

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology

Attending Physician | Indiana University Health

Principal Investigator | The Lim Laboratory

Affiliate Faculty, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine

Member, Krannert Cardiovascular Research Center (KCRC)

Member, Indiana Center for Musculoskeletal Health (ICMH)

Ken Lim, MD, PhD, MPhil, FASN, FAHA, FRCP, is an American Physician-Scientist, Nephrologist and Entrepreneur. He holds appointments as Tenure-Track Assistant Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Anatomy, Cell Biology & Physiology at Indiana University School of Medicine (IUSM), and Attending Physician at IU Health. Prior to joining the faculty at IUSM in 2020, he spent over 10 years at Harvard Medical School and affiliated major teaching hospitals, later becoming Attending Physician at The Massachusetts General Hospital and a faculty member at Harvard Medical School. In 2022, he was named by the Indianapolis Business Journal (IBJ) to the Forty Under 40 Award for his contributions to medicine and work in healthcare-related issues of humanitarian crises. The mission of his work is to create potential solutions to challenging issues of humanitarian need in healthcare and human suffering through innovative research, entrepreneurship and the delivery of medical care beyond borders. He is a clinical trialist and translational scientist, and leads a research group at IUSM that focuses on the development and delivery of definitive trials in patients with kidney failure and cardiovascular complications, and the development of advanced therapeutics. He founded the first Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) laboratory dedicated to the study of patients with kidney disease in the United States. He continues to be engaged in starting new companies at the forefront of innovation to bring sustainable impact, and translational strategies for taking biological discoveries into early phase exploratory trials.  Dr. Lim has deployed to regions around the world to provide leading medical care and strategic principles to help meet critical needs of victims of humanitarian crises, such as war, poverty and natural disasters. He has served as strategic advisor or consultant to leaders from diverse sectors, he has held offices of leadership on numerous boards and has appeared on various television and media programs. He is a graduate of The University of Cambridge (Christ’s College) and The University of Warwick in England.

The mission of The Lim Laboratory is to help develop and deliver definitive trials in the area of cardiovascular disease in patients with kidney failure, and to be an incubator for the development of advanced therapeutics. We integrate multidisciplinary approaches at the interface of translational and clinical research for improved patient care. 

Our primary R&D platform focuses on therapeutic strategies for targeting cardiovascular disease in kidney failure, a current global health crisis. This capitalizes on our platform technologies, and translational & commercialization strategies in our group that accelerate entry of biological discoveries into early phase trials. We have an emphasis on multidisciplinary collaborations with projects that draw from an international talent pool. The process of innovation leverages on our relationships and networks with industry and beyond.

One of the major platform technologies in our clinical research lab focuses on the use of state-of-the-art Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (CPET) technology, a robust and powerful technology that can accurately and reproducibly assess cardiovascular functional capacity. We are at the forefront of efforts to introduce CPET technology into the field of nephrology. The potential exists for CPET indices such as VO2Peak to be used as a new endpoint for cardiovascular trials in nephrology which can help overcome current challenges in cardio-renal trials methodologies. The technology has the potential to help move the cardio-renal field forward.

Our wet lab specializes in translational research that focuses on the discovery and development of peptide therapeutics for cardiac disorders in kidney failure and beyond. We lead several exciting translational research studies using multidisciplinary approaches in cell and molecular biology, bioengineering and human tissue research. We take the approach of integrating our translational wet lab and clinical research efforts, and this stimulates multi-disciplinary collaboration on projects that support each other.

Professional Organizations

Board certifications, clinical interests.

Cardio-Nephrology Cardiorenal Syndrome Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Hemodialysis  End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) Disaster Medicine/Nephrology 

Research Labs

• Frequently Asked Questions

Sidebar Application

MSPP funding applications will open July 8, 2024. GPP applications for fall 2025 admission will open August 2024

Are you starting medical or clinical school this year?

If yes , you are a Track 2 applicant

If no , please answer the next question.

Are you planning to attend medical school BEFORE you begin PhD research?

If yes , you are a Track 1 applicant

• Basic Eligibility Requirements
• Application Components
• Letters of Recommendation

What does it mean to have an MD/PhD? MD/PhD programs provide training in both medicine and research for students who want to become a physician-scientist. MD/PhD graduates often go on to become faculty members at medical schools, universities and research institutes such as the NIH. MD/PhD trainees are prepared for careers in which they will spend most of their time doing research, not just taking care of patients. It is a challenging career that offers opportunities to benefit many people by advancing knowledge or health and illness, developing new diagnostics and treatments for diseases, and inventing new technologies for clinical application.  What is the difference between MD/PhD and MSTP? Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) indicates that an MD/PhD program has been awarded a training grant (T32) from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences that financially supports trainees in the program. There are currently about 46 MSTPs.  Non-MSTP MD/PhD programs also provide environments where students receive outstanding dual-degree training.       What is MSTP funding? MSTP funding comes from the National Institute of General Medical Science T32 training grant.  This grant is used to financially support trainees in MSTPs. How do I know if my school accepts MSTP funding? A list of schools that have MSTPs can be found  here . How do I know if I qualify for MSTP funding? The only requirement to qualify for MSTP funding is that trainees must be citizens or noncitizen nationals of the United States or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., possess an alien registration receipt card I-151 or I-551).  Your individual medical school’s MSTP determines any other requirements.  Are there opportunities for international students? There are MD/PhD opportunities available around the country for international students, but at this time, the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program funding is only available if you are a US citizen or permanent resident and admitted to a U.S. medical school or MSTP.

What’s the benefit of getting my PhD with the NIH? The National Institutes of Health is the largest biomedical research facility in the world. Scholars who are accepted to one of the graduate programs at the NIH are able to take advantage of its amazing facilities and technologies. The NIH is comprised of 27 different Institutes and Centers, each with its own specific research agenda; this promotes an engaging and diverse research environment with lots of room for interdisciplinary collaboration. To learn about the NIH and its many resources, please visit  www.nih.gov/about/  or contact the administration with any specific questions. Do I select which track I am on? No. Your track is based on your current educational status. Please visit the “How to Apply” page to determine your track. Do I have to do my PhD with the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program? It is not a requirement of the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training that you participate in the NIH Oxford-Cambridge Scholars Program; however, Track 1 candidates are automatically granted a place in the OxCam Program when they are awarded a slot in the MD/PhD Partnership Training Program. The OxCam Program is also the only program within the NIH GPP that has a deferral process in place to enable students to complete the first years of medical school. Visit our page on the  GPP  to learn more about other Institutional or Individual Partnerships. What’s an Individual Partnership? An Individual Partnership is a partnership with a program or university that does not already have an existing agreement with the NIH through the GPP. These partnerships are arranged through the GPP and are based on the specific needs of an individual student. For more information, contact the GPP. Will I be getting clinical experience during my PhD? There is no formal requirement that you get clinical experience during the PhD phase of your training. However, you may get involved with Clinical Grand Rounds and other didactic sessions, bedside teaching rounds and other clinical training opportunities, and clinical research protocol activities at the NIH and partnering institutions. How much time will I spend away from medical school? The time it takes to complete the PhD portion of your training depends on the graduate program in which you participate. NIH OxCam Scholars are expected to complete their PhD in about four years. How much time will I spend at the NIH? Approximately half of your PhD thesis research must be completed at the NIH. NIH OxCam Scholars will spend approximately two years at the NIH and two years at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge. When do I select my PhD mentor? You select you mentor after you are officially admitted to the program. If you are a Track 1 student, you will select a mentor at the NIH before beginning medical school; Track 2 students select their mentors during the time frame determined by their graduate program.

Are there GPA/MCAT cut-offs? The NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program is highly competitive, but there are no hard and fast cut-offs for grades or test scores; however, acceptance into the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program and receipt of extramural MSTP funding is pending acceptance to a qualifying MSTP program at a participating medical school.  This means that applicants to the NIH MD/PhD Partnership Training Program must meet the minimum acceptance requirements of the programs to which they are applying.

Spotlight: Floyd Lab members Reid Chen and Katherine Long

Congratulations to Floyd Lab members  Reid Chen  (Research Technician II) and  Katherine Long  (Undergraduate Researcher), who were recently accepted into MD/PhD and PhD programs.

Reid's work in the Floyd Lab has involved researching the impact of the tumor microenvironment on cancer's response to radiation therapy – specifically on how chromatin remodeling proteins may be a therapeutic target to enhance tumor sensitivity to radiation. He was accepted into the Duke University School of Medicine's Medical Scientist Training Program and will start in August.

"After working in radiation oncology, oncology remains a core interest of mine, but I'm looking forward to taking a break from the research to learn about other aspects of medicine and how to improve the lives of patients in the clinic," said Reid. "Over the past several years, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with so many great people in the Radiation Oncology department. I'm especially grateful for Dr. Floyd, who put me on the physician-scientist path three years ago and has given me so much support and guidance. Luckily, I'm only moving across the street so I can continue bothering him and everyone else in the LSRC for eight more years!"

Katherine's research in the Floyd Lab primarily focused on characterizing proteins that affect radiation sensitivity in glioma. "I learned so much about research and about myself as a scientist from my experience in Dr. Floyd's lab," said Katherine, who is pursuing a PhD in cell biology and physiology and will begin training at the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program at UNC-Chapel Hill this August.

"I hope to one day run my own lab focusing on cellular signaling in development and disease," she said. "I also hope to stay involved in scientific communication and community outreach throughout my career, using my education to encourage curiosity and revitalize trust between scientists and the public."