Medical Scientist Training Program

NIH RePORTER · NIH · T32 · $1,482,940 · view on reporter.nih.gov ↗

Abstract

Our University of Pittsburgh-Carnegie Mellon University MSTP prepares MD-PhD trainees with the expertise and versatility to have highly productive careers as physician scientists and leaders in an evolving scientific and medical environment. Students in our bi-institutional MSTP benefit from a world-class research and clinical community and a core group of 158 well-funded mentors in 22 affiliated graduate programs in which prior MSTP trainees have thrived with a 62% F30 success rate and median of six publications over the last five years. Currently, our MSTP has 94 trainees, 55% of whom are women and 15% from underrepresented backgrounds. Unique features of the MSTP include a required core curriculum of seven courses beyond medical and graduate school coursework that build specific research, translational, and professional competencies required for durable success as physician scientists. Training in rigor and reproducibility, responsible conduct of research, and health equity are integrated throughout the curriculum and research and clinical training experiences. Our faculty are also trained in these areas and engage in case-based workshops to learn and share best-practices in mentoring MSTP trainees. Additional features include one-on-one executive coaching sessions for students, each student's personal career advisor who serves as advocate, guide, and IDP reviewer from matriculation to graduation and beyond, and the programmatic and intellectual integration of clinical and research training. Objectives include: (1) Imparting transformational knowledge and thinking skills. We build students' ability to frame testable hypotheses addressing significant research questions that can be linked to clinical knowledge and prepare trainees to plan, conduct, analyze, and publish significant, rigorous high-quality, reproducible research and obtain funding to support it. (2) Expanding trainee's toolkit. We position trainees to meet evolving challenges in health and disease as well as the demands on the physician scientist workforce, preparing them for critical appraisal and use of new technologies and informatics. (3) Building skills for forging productive partnerships. We train students to develop and refine ideas while engaging stakeholders, work effectively in teams, communicate and learn from diverse audiences, and convey the joy of discovery. In addition to measuring deliverables and career milestones as outcomes, we will test the ability of the program to build student confidence in research self-efficacy and professional self-efficacy. Expert input is engaged for learning assessment and strategic planning to allow our MSTP to remain dynamic and inclusive and adapt to the scientific landscape.

Key facts

NIH application ID
10333449
Project number
1T32GM144300-01
Recipient
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT PITTSBURGH
Principal Investigator
RICHARD A STEINMAN
Activity code
T32
Funding institute
NIH
Fiscal year
2022
Award amount
$1,482,940
Award type
1
Project period
2022-07-01 → 2027-06-30